The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-10-24
National Republican Platform.
[As AMENDED AND ApoPTKD.1


the United States, III Convention assem-
bled, in discharge of the duty we owe to
our constituents and our country, unite In
the following declarations
|. That the history Of the nation during
the last four years, has fully established
the proprlety and necessity OF the organi-
zatlon and perpetuation of the Republican
party, and that the causes which called ii
INTO existence are permanent In their na-
ture, and now, more than ever before, de-
mand its peaceful and constitutional tri-
umph.
Z. That the maintenance OF the princi-
Piles promulgated in the Declaration of In
dependence and embodied i'm the Federal
Constitution, THAT all men are created
equal that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights
that among these are lie, liberty and the
pursuit Of happiness Thai to secure these
rights, governments are instituted among
men, deriving their just powers from the
| consent OF the governed d"-is essential 10
the preservation OF our Republican institu-
tions; and THAT the Federal Constitution,
the Rights of the States. and the Union of
the States must and shall be preserved.
;. That to the union of the States this
nation owes its unprecedented increase in
population, It's surprising development of
material resources, It's rapid augmentation
OF wealth, its happiness at home and lis
honor abroad and We hold In adherence
all schemes for Disunion, come from what
ever source they may And We congratu
late the country that no Republican mem
Der of Congress has uttered or counte-
nanced the threats of Disunion SO often
made by Democratic members, without re-
bnke and with applause from their political
associates and WE denounce those threats
of dlsunion, IN case of a popular overthrow
OF their ascendancy, As denying Tie vital
principles OF free government, and as an
avowaI OF contemplated treason, which it
is the imperative duty Of an indignant Peo-
pie sternly TO rebuke and forever silence
4. That the maintenance lnyiolate of the
rights OF the States, and especially tie
right oi each State TO order and control It's
own domestic institutions according 10 It's
own Judgment exclusively, is essential 10
that balance Of powers on which the per
fectlon and endurance Of our political fab
ric depends; and We denounce the law
less invasion by armed force Of the soil oil
any State or Territory, no matter under
what pretext, as among the gravest oil
crimes.
8. That the present Democratic Admin
istrauon has far exceeded our worst ap-
prehensions, In its measureless subservi-
ency 10 the exactions of sectional inter
est, as especially evinced in its desperate
exeruons 10 force the Infamous Lecompton
Constitution upon the protesting people OF
Kansas; IN constituting the personal rela-
ton between master and servant to in
volye an unqualified property in persons
IN It's attempted enforcement, everywhere,
on land and sea, lhrougn&he Intervention
of Congress and of the Federal Courts, OF
the extreme pretensions of purely local
interest: and in its general and nnvarylng
abuse OF the power entrusted TO ii by con
fiding people
6. That the people justly view with
alarm the reckless extravaganza which
peryades every department OF the Federal
Government: that return 10 rigid econ
omy and accountability is indispensable to
arrest the systematic plunder OF the pub
lie treasury by favored partisans while
the recent startling developments offrauds
and corruptions al The Federal metropolis,
show that an entire change of administra.
ton is imperatively demanded.
Z. That the new dogma that the Con.
stitution, OF its own force, carries Slavery
into any or all of the Territories Of the
United States, is dangerous political her.
esy, at variance with the explicit provi
sions of that instrument itself, with co.
semporaneous exposition, and with legis.
lative and Judicial precedent ; is reyoiu
tionary in its tendency, and subversiye d
the peace and harmony Of the country.
8. That the normal condition OF all thu
territory Of the United States, is that o
freedom That as our Republican fathers
when they had abolished slavery in all ou
national territory. ordained that mo per
son should be deprived of life, liberty, O
property, without due process of law i
becomes our duty, by legislation, wheney
er such legislation Is necessary. to main
tain this provision of the Constitution
!. against ali attempts to violate it; and W
deny the authority of Congress, of ter
rltorial Legislature, or of any individuals
to give legal existence 10 slavery in an
Territory of the United States.
! 8. That we brand the recent re-openin
Of the African slave trade, under the coy
er Of our national flag, aided by pervel
sions OF judicial power. as crime agains
humanity and a burning shame 10 ou
country and age and we call upon Cor
gress TO take prompt and efficient mea,
!, ures for the total and final suppression
that execrable traffic.