The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1860-05-16
THE PLATFORM.

~N~- 4
appointed on the second day of the con.
yention, but was wholly unable to agree
upon report, and finally, on Friday, pre-
sented three. The majority report came
from the fifteen Southern States, togeth-
or with California and Oregon; Massa-
chusetts one; and the other came from
the remaining Northern States, and was
presented by Mr.. Payne, of Ohio. The
majority report declared that southern
citizens have right to go into the Terri
tories with their slave property, that nei-
Their Congress nor Territorial Legisla.
ture can prohibit them or enact hostile
legislation, and that the general govern
ment is bound to protect these rights of
property if necessary. The Massachu-
sets report was for simple re-affirment
Of the Cincinnati platform, nothing more
nor nothing less. The chief minority re-
port proposed the re-affirmation of the
Cincinnati platform, and pledged the dem
ocratic party to sustain the decisions Of
the Supreme Court on the question of
slavery. On Saturday it was resolved
by the Convention, by vote of l52 ayes
to l5l nays, to re-commit all the reports
to the committee on resolutions. The
same evening the committee again report
ed, presenting three reports as before, and
Of precisely the same tenor. No vote
was attempted at that time, and the
convention adjourned without taking any
action whatever. On Monday morning n
vote was taken on the report presented
by Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts,, which
presented the Cincinnati platform pure
and simple, with the exception of reso-
luton for the protection of citizens OF
foreign birth, and TT was rejected by a
vote of los ayes to 19S nays. The ques-
ton was then taken on adopting the
chief minority report-which had been
presented by Mr.. Samuels, of Iowa-as
a substitute for the minority report, and
it was adopted by vote Of l65 ayes to
1873 nays.
The following is the minority report
which was thus substituted for that of
the majority:
ResolUed, That we, the democracy OF
the Union, in convention assembled, here
by declare our affirmation of the resolu-
tons unanimously adopted and declared
platform of principles by the democrat
ic convention at Cincinnati, in the year
1856, believing that democratic principles
arc interchangeable in their nature when ap-
piled to the same subject matter; and We
recommend as our only further resolution;
the following:
THAT, inasmuch as difference Of opin.
ion exist in the democratic party as tc
the nature and extent of the powers of q
Territorial Legislature, and as TO the pow
ers and duties of Congress, under the
constitution of the United States, over
the institution Of slavery in the Terrific
ries:
Resolved, That the democratic party
will abide by the decision of the Supreme
Court of The United States over the in
stitution of slavery within the Terrific.
ries.
ResolOed, That it is the duty of the
United States to afford ample and com.
plete protection to its citizens, at home OF
abroad, and whether native or foreign.
born.
Resolued, That the necessities Of the
age, in military, commercial and postal
point of view, is speedy communication
between the Atlantic and Pacific States
and the democratic party pledge such
constitutional enactment as will insure
the construction of Railroad to the Pa
ciic coast at the earliest practicable pc
Rod.
ReSolOed, That the democratic party
are in favor of the acquisition Of Cuba OF
such terms rs shall be honorable to our
selves and just TO Spain.
Resolved, That the enactmonts o
State Legislatures TO defeat the faithful
execution of the fugitive slave law ar
hostile in character, subvcrsive Of the con
stitution, and revolutionary in their Ell
feet.
After the adoption of this substitute
vote was taken on each of tho rcsolu
tons separately. The first, ro.affirminl
the Cincinnati platform, was adopted b
the strong vote of 231 ayes to 20 nays
Tho second resolution, with its preamble
about which all the discussion and divi
sion had heretofore been, both in th
committee and in the convention, wa
then rejected by vote of 22o ayes to A
nays, if the telegraph reports the proceed
ings correctly. If the telegraph report
are correct, then tho platform as final