The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1860-10-25

I fed approval Of President Pierce's adj
ministration. The principle therefore:
upon which the policy Of both the adj
ministration Of Buchanan and Pierce
were based, are to be continued as the
guiding landmark Of the Douglas Dem.
ocracy. No reform is proposed by
the Douglasites-but simply contin.
uance Of what has been. No reforma>
ton is promised-no new line ofpolicy
is promised. The Democracy of Pierce
and the Democracy of Buchanan; are
proposed to be continued; the platform
they stood upon, has been re-endorsed
for Mr.. Douglas to stand upon.
The Second Resolution, recognizes a
principle, to which the Democratic
party has always been recreant. That
provision Of the constitution, which de-
clares that-"the citizens Of each state,
shall be entitled to all the privileges
and iInmunities OF the citizens of the
several states" has been a dead letter,
50 far as regards the rights Of con-
science, the freedom ofspeech, and the
liberty of the press. These great pre-
negatives Of free government have
less protection in the United States
under Democratic rule, than in any
other civilized country in the world.
Hanging, Imprisonment, confscation
Of property, expulsion from the coun-
y,and cruelties innUmerable, are vis>
tied on those who in nearly one halt
of the states OF the Union, exercise the
rights Of conscience, the freedom of
speech and the liberty Of the press.
The professions as well as the practice
of the Democracy, in protecting the
constitutional rights Of citizens, in the
respect we have named, are altogether
fabulous.
The Third Resolution, which recog>
nizes the nee essity Of a Railway Com
munication, between the Atlantic and
the Pacific States, has no hope of ac-
complishment under Democratic rule,
especially is this true,if the action of the
Democratic party in Congress is to be
taken as evidence. Democratic votes
thus far have defeated this important
measure. The Journals Of Congress
show that the Republicans have been
the only true friends of the Pacific
Railroad measure, and therefore a Re
publican administration, is the surety
for tho success of that enterprise.
The Fourth resolution, announces
the strong Democratic proclivity for
more slave Territory, the requirement
Of more slave soil; is one OF the prom
inent aims of the Democratic party.
The Douglas platform has not word
to say about the acquisition of more
free Territory; the enlargement of the
area Of slavery, it holds to be an in
evitable necessity.
The FIFTH Resolution. The Dem
ocracy having declared its policy, in
favor of the acquisition Of more slave
Territory, in the fourth resolution of it's
platform, very naturally avows the
catching Of negroes, as duty of pri-
mary importance. IT protests against
any interference on the part of the
states, against the faithful execution
J Of the Fugitive slave act. Indeed it
would seem the Democracy regard the
catching Of FugitiveS, one of the vital
principles Of the party. In the Gin
cinnati platform Of 1856, the Democrat
lc duty OF catching runaw ay negroes,
was earnestly enjoined, and so funda>
mental is this obligation regarded, that
the part y has seen fit to endorse it ov.
or again in 1860.
The Sj9tb and last Resolution in
the Douglas Democratic platform en-
joins the party to abide the determine
tons OF the Supreme Court, as they
have been, or may hereafter be, in re-
spect to the power ofLegislation in the
Territories. The plain import of this
is, that the Sovereign will of the people
OF the United States expressed through
Congress, shall not be allowed to in. |
terlere with their own property-the
Territories. But the Supreme Court
a tribunal beyond the reach of the bal
lot box, or the control of the people,
may intervene, and its constructions of
OF the measure Of power, which may be
exercised by the people over the in
stitution Of slavery shall be deemed fl
nal and conclusive. In short, there is
but one department Of this govern
ment; and that one beyond the reach of
the people, which may be allowed the
of Intervention in the Ter
ritories.
Such then is the Democratic plat
form Of 1860, upon which the follow
ers Of Mr.. Douglas are invited to raj
y. They embody the fundamental
deliberately resolved upon
n the National Convention at Balti-
more. Let every Democrat read the
platform for himself, and see if it con
ANS anything worthy, to be the basis
Of political action for great party
What reform does it propose? What
Inducements are there in it, to rally
-Or the supnort of Donolasism 2