The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-08-13
THE CHICAGO PLATFORM

Edwardsport, Thursday, August 10.
Nashville, Friday, August II.
THE CHIC AGO PLAT r . II M =,
AMENDED ADOPTED.
Re~oEred, That we, the delegated repres~ut atives
Of the Republican electors of the United States in
Convention assembled, in the discharge Of the duty
owe to constituents and our country, unite
In the following declarations:
LIST. That the history of the nation during tho
last four years. has fully established the propriety
and necessity of the organization and perpetuation
of the Republican party and that the causes which
called it into existence permanent in their ns-
ture, and now, more than ever before, demand its
peaceful aud constitutional triumph
2. That the maintenance of the principles pro-
mulgated In the Declaration of Independence snd
embodied IN the Federal Constitution -" That all
created equal /; that they endowed by
their Creator with certain inalienabIe rights that
among these life, liberty, and the pursuit OF
happiness that to these rights, governments
instituted among men, deriving their just pow
from the consent of the governed us essential
to the preservation of Republican institutions
and that the Federal Constitution, the Rights OF
the States, aud the Union Of the States must and
shall be preserved.
3, That TO the Union Of the States this nation
owes, Its unprecedented increase in population, its
surprising development of material resources, its
rapid augmen tatIon Of wealth, its happiness at
home and Its honor abroad and We hold In All
horrence all foT Disunion, come from hat
source they may And congratulate the
country that no Republican member of Congress
has uttered or countenauced the threats 81 Dis
union often made by Democratic members, with
out rehuke and with applause from their political
RssociRtesj and We denOunc9 tho78 threats ot dis-
union, In case Of popular overthrow Of tneir as
tendency as denying the vital principles Of free
government, and avowa Of contemplated
treason, which it il the Imperative duty Of an 10
diKnAnt People sternly t. rebuke and forever 81
l-nce
T. That the maintenance inviolate Of tho Hights
Vi the States and especially the right Of each State
order and control It's domestic Institutions
according 70 its own Judgment exclusively, Is es-
sential to that balance Of powers Which the per
lection and endurance 81 our political fabric de-
ponds and deuounce the laWIess invasion by
armed force of the soil Of any State Territory
40 matter uader what pTeteNt' rs among the grayeb
crimes.
s. That the present Democratic Administration
has far exceeded our worst approximations, in its
meAsureless subserviency the exactions of a sec
tinna interest, especially evinced in its desper-
ate exertons to force the infamous Lee"mptOn Com
stitution upon the protesting people of Kansas in
constituting the personal relation between master
aud servant to involve an unqualified property in
persons in its attempted enforcement, everywhere
on land and sen, through the Intervention of Con-
zrees and Of the Federal Courts, of the extreme
TreteusOus of purely local interest and in its
general and unvaryng ebuse OF tue power intrustei
80 it by a confiding people
8. That the People justly view with alarm the
reckless extravaganza which pcrvsdes every depart
rnent of the Federal Government; that return
rigid economy and accounted lity is Indispensable
TO arrest the Systematic plundcr OF tue public treas
ury by favored partisans while the recent startling
Developments of frauds and corruptons at the Fed
oral Metropolis, show that an entire change OF
administration is mperatively demanded.
I. That he new dogma that the Constitution. of
it's force, carries Slavery into any all of tho
l6rrltOrle5 OF the United SfateSt Is a dangerous
political heresy, at variance with the explicit pro
visions Of that instrument itself, with contempora-
ueous exposition and with legislative and judicial
precedent; Is revolutionary In Its teudency and
subyersiye OF the aud harmony Of the country
3. That the normal condition OF all the Territory
Of the United States ia that of frs edon,. That ~.
our Republican fathers, when they had abolished
slavery all national territory, ordained that
" no person should be deprived of life liberty, or
property, without due process Of law 1t becomes
our duty, by legislation, whenever such legislation
is necessary. TO maintain this provision of the Con-
.tituton against all attempts to violate it aud wo
deny the authority of Congress- OF territorial leg
slatHre, of any individuals, to give legal exist
enoe to Slavery in any Territory Of the United
ates.
q. That we brand the recent re-opeuing of the
African Slave Trade, under the cover Of our Ma
tional Flag, aided by perversions of judicial power
a crime against Humanity and 3 burning shame |
to Country and Age; and we call upon Congress
to take prompt and efficient measures for the total
and final suppression of that execrAbe traffic.
10 That in the recent vetoes, by their Federal I
Governors of the acts of the Legislatures Of Kan
sas and Nebraska, prohibiting Slavery In those
Territories, we fnd practical Illustration OF the /
bOastef Democratic principle of Non Intervention /
and Popular Sovereignty embodied In the Kansas
Nebraska bill, and deuons alton of the deception
and fraud involved therein.
Ii. That Kansas should, of right, be Immediately
admitted State under the Constitution recently
formed and adopted by her people, and accepted by
the House of Representatives.
T. That, while providing revenue for the sup
port of the general government by duties upon i'm
ports, sound policy requires such an OF
these imbosts to encourage the development Of
the Industrial interests OF the Whole and
We commend that policy of national exchanges, I
which secures to the working men liberal wages, to
agriculture remunerating prices TO mechanics and /
manufacturers adequate reward for their skill,
labor aud enterprise and to the nation commercial |
prosperity and independence.
Is. That we protest against any sale or aliena- /
tion TO others of the Public Lands held by actual
settlers and against any view OF the Free Home |
stead policy which regards the settlers paupers
or suppliants for public bounty; and we demand !
the passage by Congress of the complete and salts
factory Homestead measure which has already pass
ed the House.
IA That tho Republican party is opposed to any /
change in onr Naturalization Laws, any State !
legislation by which the rights of citizenship hith
erto accorded to immigrants from foreign lands |
shall be abridged or impaired and in favor of CIV
Ing full and efficient protection TO the rights OF
all classes of citizens, whether native natural
lzed, both at home and abroad.
IS. That appropriations by Congress for River /
and Harbor improvements Of a National character, /
required for the accommodation and security OF an
existing commerce, authorized by the Consti'
tuition, and justified by the obligation of GOverR- 4
ment protect the lives and property Gifts ctiEeus.
Is. That Railroad to the Pacific Ocean is I'M (
peratively demanded by the interests of tho whole
country; that the Federal Government ought TO |
render immediate and efficient aid in It's cOnstruc-
ton and that, az preliminary thereto, daily |
Overland Mail should he promptly established.
II. Finally, having thus set forth our distinctive
principles and views, invite tho cooperation of
all citizens, however differing other questions,
who substantially agree with 10 their sirmance
and support.
KDKCREEs, CIT SCP, Se.-5O dozen as !