St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-08-30


of'a popular overthrow Of their ascendeucy
q denyirg the vital principles Of free gsv-
ernment, and as avowal Of contemplated trea-
son, which it is the imperative duty Of an
indignant People sternly to rebuke and forever
silence.
I. That the maintenance ihviolate Of the
Rights of the States, and especially the right
Of each State TO order and control its own
domestic institutions according to its own
judgment exclusively, is essential to that bal
ance Of powers on which the perfection and
endurance Of our political fabric depends and
We denounce the lawless invasion by armed
force of the soil Of any State or Territory, no
matter under what pretext, as among the grs-
vet of crimes.
s. That the present Democratic Administra-
ton has 'ar exceeded our worst apprehensious,
in its measureless subserviency to the exactions
of a sectional interest, rs especially evinced
in its desperate exertions to force the infamous
Lecompton Constitution upon the protesting
people of Kansas; IN constituting the personal
relation between master and servant to involve
an unqualified property in persons in its
attempted enforcement, everywhere. on land
and on sea, through the intervention of Con-
gress and Of the Federal Courts, Of the extreme
professions. Of purely local interest in its
general and unvarying abuse of the power
intrus,ed to it by a con6ding people.
s. That the people justly view with alarm
the reckless extravaganza which pervades ev-
cry department Of the Federal Government;
that return to rigid economy and accounta-
bility is indispensable to arrest the systematic
plumber Of the public treasury by favored
partisans; while the recent startling develop
ments It frauds and eorruptions at the ederal
Metropolis, show that an entire change Of
administration is imperatively demanded.
+ Z. That the new dogma that the Constitution,
of its own force, carries slavery into any or
all of the Territories Of the United States, is
dangerous political heresy, at variance with
the explicit provisions Of that instrument it.
self, with ssatamPorAneous exposition, and
with legislative aud judicial precedent; is
revolutionary iu its tendency, and subversiye
of the peace and harmony Of the county.
s. That the normal condition Of all the ter
ritory Of the United States is that Of freedom!
That as our Republican fathers, when they
had abolished slavery in all our national ter
ritory, ordained that ''nv person should be
deprived Of life, liberty or property. without
due process of law" it becomes our duty, by
sary, to maintain this provision against all at
tempts to violate it and We deny the authori-
~ Of Congress, of a territorial legislature, or
Of any individuals, to give legal existence to
Slavery in any Territory Of the United States,
9. That we brand the recent re-opening Of
the African slave trade, under the cover Of
our National Flag, aided by perversions Of ju-
dicial power, as crime against Humanity and
burning shame to eur Country and Age; and
We call upon Congress to take prompt and ef-
fcient measures for the total and final sup
preston IF that execrable traffic.
IL. That in the recent vetoes by their Fed
eral Governors. Of the acts Of the Legislature
Of Kansas and Nebraska, prohibiting slavery
in those Territories, we find a practical illus
tration of the boasted Democratic principle Of
Non-1nte1vention and Popular Sovereignty
Fembodied in the Kansas Nebraska bill, aud
demonstration Of the deception and fraud in
volved therein.
IL. That Kansas should of right be immedi-
stely admitted as State under the Constitu-
ton recently formed and adopted by her people
and accepted by the House Of Representatives
II. That while providing revenue for the
support Of the general government by duties
upon imports, sound policy requires such an
adjustment of these imposts as to encourage
the development Of the industrial interests Of
the whole country; and We commend that
policy Of national exchanges, which secures
to the working men liberal wages, to agricul
ture remunerating prices, to mechanics and
manufacturers an adequate reward for their
skill, labor and enterprise, and to the nation
commercial prosperity and independence.
Is. That we protest against any sale or
alienation to others of the Public Lands held
by actual settlers, and against any view Of the
Free Homestead policy which regards the set
tiers as paupers or suppliants for public
gress Of the complete and satisfactory Home
stead measure which has already passed the
House.
IA. That the National Republican party is
opposed to any change in our Naturalization
Laws, or any State legislation by which the
rights of citizenship hitherto accorded to i'm
migrants from foreign lands shall be ABRIDGED
or impaired: and in favor Of giving a full and
Efficient protection 10 the rights Of all classes
Of citizens, whether native or natula.ized. both
at home and abroad.
Is. That appropriations by Congress for
River and Harbor improvements Of National
character. required for the accomm sdatien and
security Of an existing commerce. are authori-
zed BY the Constitution, and justified by the
Obligation Of Government to protect the lives
and property # its citizens.
16. That Railroad to the Pacific Ocean 10
imperatively demanded by the interests of the
whole country that the Federal Government
ought to render imme date and efficient aid in
ito construction; and that. a. preliminary
thereto, a daily Overland Mail should be
promptly established. go -
II. Finally, having thus set forth our dis
tinctive principles and views, Ne invite the CO.
operation Of al eitisans. however differing on
other questions, who Substantially agree with
usiu their ahrmance and support.