Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-02-29
THE OPPOSITION PLATFORM.

WHEREAS, The present Democratic party, having
been in power, for several years, and having abu-
sed the trust conded in it. this Convention believes
that the time has come when every patriotic citizen
should take prompt and efficient action towards a
sound and thorough reformation in public affairs.
The party in power is responsible for the present
deplorable condition of the country. At the exp-
ration of the term of Willard Fillmore, it with
oVerfowing treasury, peaceful and prosperous
at home, and regarded with respect and confidence
abroad 1t is now with bankrupt treasury, diyld-
ed by internal dissentons, disgraced by exposed
corruptions, and watched by foreign nations with
jealousy and dstrust
To the practices of those who have controlled the
government in the intervening period, the people
must look for the source of these misfortunes.
Under the prestige of name, they have violated
the fundamental doctrines and distinctive principles
which they were pledged to support. Instead of
ECONOMY in the public expenditures" they have
increased the expenses of the government from fifty
to over eighty millions of dollars year. supporting
the treasury, in time of peace by repeated loans by
the issue of treasury notes.
Instead of State Rights" they have put forth
the arm of the general government to control State
elections, employing the corrupting power of Exec
utive patronage and encouraging lawlessnesS and
fraud.
Instead of "strict construction of the Constitu-
tion," they have made the most extraordinary and
alarming proposition to place unusual and danger
Gus powers in the hands of the Executive-that mil
lions might be at his disposal-that the army and
navy might be so far at his command as to give him
virtually the war-makng power-demands which,
if acceded to- would endanger the liberties of the
people, and sooner or later, become subversive of
the institutions under which we live.
They have practiced bodand unblushing corruption
in the various departments of the government, and
have encountered the mails with onesdod and excl
ting publications, to turn public attention from their
conduct and misead the people into the support of
their schemes for the purpose of prolonging their
party ascendancy and perpetuatng their power.
To the same end they have welcomed into their
ranks and taken under their especial protection agi-
tators and dsturbers of the public peace in every
section and of every shade of political faith, regard
less alike of the demands of justice and the safety of
the republic
They have encouraged foreign emigration without
reference to character claSs-and when landed on
Shores they have openly courted foreign refugees
criminals and pauperS, and marshalled them into
their party ranks to be conducted to the ballot box
contrary to the laws of the land to sthe the voice
of American citizens and rob them of their dearest
brthright.
To carry elections they have let out the contracts
of the government to influential favorites, at exor
btant rates left the laws uneXecuted paralyzed the
arm Of public justice and countenanced force and
fraud.
They checked the development of the national re-
sources and made us dependent foreign nations
financial and commercial distress is reported from
every quarter.
They have kept up systematic agitation Of the
dangerous and exciting question of slavery, adopting
deceptive and double-meaning platforms on the sub
ect and by the operation of an adroit political ma
chinery have aroused popular excitement, whenever
their purpose might require it, upon false and de-
signed issues, and have then practiced upon the
fears of the people to betray their principles and in
tereSts.
They have annulled long established compromises
between the conflicting interest of different sections,
broken down the great landmarks of policy erected
by fathers and loft the public councils bunder-
ing in darkness and uncertainty.
BY urging sectionalism the South they have
fostered sectionalism in the North until they have
built up a powerful Northern party, which they
have not scrupled to encourage by accusing some
of the best and purest among Southern men OF afhl
iaton with its views and purposes.
They have converted the halls of the national
Congress into theatre for the contests Of the glad
iators Of faction seeking to take the control of pot
ical affairs from the conservative masses, and to
place it in the keeping Of an ogarchy of mercenary
office seekers, who, however the feelings of the poo
pie may revolt, demand obedience to the martial
law of their party discipline.
In North-Carolina they have attempted to make
their party creed part of the teaching Of youth, by
electIng partisan Trustees of our University, and
by secret caucuSSeS, excluding from participation Iii
the management of the institution, all whose sub
seryiency to the behests of party could in any wise
be doubted; Therefore,
ReSotred, That against such practices and such
organizations free people jealous of liberty, ought
to raise the voice Of condemnation and the stout
of determined resistance; and that conservative citi
in every section of the State who love their
country better than party, acknowledging ale
glance but to the constitution and the laws should
rally under the hOnored flag of the Union and unite
for the preservation of the cherished institutions Of
liberty pedgng themselves to carry out the follow
ing platform of political principles:
]. There should be an honest and faithful admin
isration of the general government, separating its
appointments and contracts from political bribery,
and arresting the present proigacy and corruption.
3. The control of the Senate the treaty ma
king power of the President ought to be
fully preserved by that body as well in substance
as in FORM and the public treasure and the war
power of the government ought with the just jeal
ouSy of free people to be be kept in the hands Of
Congress.
8. The appointments to office should be of faith
full and efficient men, and not of mere partsans who,
for years past, have occupied some of the most
prominent stations, to the dishonor of the nation
and the imminent danger of our cherished institu-
tons.
4. The rights of American citizens, whether ma
tive naturalized should be protected from aggres
sion, and the national honor preserved, by fulfilling
all our obligations to other governments, and by de-
handing and enforcing fulillment of theirs to u.s.
5. New States should be admitted into the Union
without regard to the establishment rejection of
slavery in their constitutions.
6. The present laws of Congress on the subject of
slavery should be adhered to-and all further agita
ton of the question withdrawn from the arena Of
national politics. and the whole subject left to the
uninterrupted control of the people among whom it
| exists.
Z. Feelings of fraternity and good neighborhood
should be encouraged among the States, and the az
gressions Of one upon another should be repulsed
and punished: That notwithstanding the recent
outrage in the invasion of neighboring State by
band of fanatics with the intent to excite servile
insurrecton, and the delnquencies of certain North
ern States, in not fulfilling the covenants of the
Federal Constitution, in relation to the institution of