The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-10-04
Gbr Columbia Gouricr.
National ks Platform.
TAs AMENDED AND ADOPTED. |


oNeto our constituents and country, unite in the
following declarations:
L. That the history Of the nation during the last four
years has fully established the proprety and neces
sty OF the organization and perpetuaton OF thu Re-
publican party, and that the which called 1t
into existence are permanen. in their nature, and
now, than before, demands Its peaceful and
constitutional triumph.
q That the maintenance OF the principles promu-
gated in the Declaration of independence and en-
bodied In the Federal Constitution, "That all men arc
created equal that they endowed by their Creator
with certain inalienable rights; that among these are
life, liberty end the pursuit of happiness that to Sc
cure these rights governments are Instituted among
men, deriving their jast powers from the consent OF
the governed-is essential to the preservation Of ur
Republican institutions; and that the Federal Consti-
tuition the Rights Of the States and the Union Of the
States mnst and shall be preserved.
8. That to the union Of the States THE nation owes
its unprecedented increase in population, its surprs
ing development Of material resources its rapid
menta,on Of wealth, Its happiness at home and its
honor abroad; and we hold in adherence all schemes
for Disunion, come from whatever source they may
And we congratulate the country that no Republican
member of Congress has uttered countenanced the
threats Of Disunion so often made by Democratic
members, without rcbuke and with applause from
their political associates; and we denounce those
threats Of dsunon, in OF popular overthrow of
shcir ascendency denying the vital principles Of
free government, and as an avowei of contemplated
treason, which it is the imperative duty Of indig
nant People serniy to rebuke and forever silence.
T. That the maintenance inviolate Of the rights Of
the States and especially the right Of each State to
order and control rs domestic institutions nc.
cordinE TO its Judgment exclusively, is essential
80 that balance of powers which the perfection and
endurance Of our political fabric depends; and We
denounce the lawess invasion by armed force of the
soil Of any State Territory, matter under what
pretext, rs among the graves. OF crimes.
B. That the present Democratic Administration has
far exceeded worst apprehensions, in its
less subserviency to the exactons Of sectional in
terest, a. especially evinced in its desperate exer
lions to force the Infamous Lecompton Constitution
upon the protesting people OF Kansas; in constituting
the personal relation between master and rant
Involve unqualified property in persons; in its at
tempted enforcement, everywhere, on land and sea,
through the Intervention of Congress and of the Fed
era Courts of the extreme pretensions of purely
local interest; and its general and unvarying abuse
Of the power entrusted to II by a confdng people.
8. That the people justly view with alarm the reck-
lees extravaganza which pervades every department
CT the Federal Government; that return to rigid
economy and accountability is indispensable to ar
rest the systematic plumber OF TIE public treasury by
favored partsans; while the recent startling devel
opments OF frauds and uptions at the Federal
metropolis, show that entire change o. admins
tration is imperativey demanded.
Z. That the dog that the Constitution, a its
force, carries Slavery into any all of the Ter
r!tories Of the United States Is dangerous political
heresy, at variance with the explicit provisions of
that instrument ITSELF with cotemporaneous EXPOSE
sion and with legislative and judicial precedent; is
revolutionary in its tendency, and subversve of the
peace and harmony Of the country.
s. That the normal dtion Of all the territory Of
the United States is that Of freedom That our Re-
publican fathers, when they had abolished slavery in
all national territory, ordained that ''no person
should be deprived OF fe liberty, property, with
out due process law II becomes duty 10y egis-
lation when ever snch legislation is necessary, to
maintain this provision OF the Constitution against
all attempts to violate il; and deny the authority
Of Longress Of q territorial legislature, of any in
dividuas to give legal existence to slavery in any
Territory Of the United States.
8. That brand the recent reopening OF the Afri-
slave trade under the Of our national flag,
aided by perversions OF judicial power as a crime
against humanity and burning shame to our coun-
try and age and call upon Congress TO take
prompt and efficient for the total and lna'
suppression OF that execrabe traffic.
TO- That in the recent vetoes by their Federal Gov
s,nors OF the acts o; the Legislatures Of Kansas and
Nebraska, prohibiting Slavery in those Territories,
find practical illustration Of the boosted Demo
cratic principle Of Non-Interventon and Popular
Sovereignty embodied Ia the Kansas-Nebraska bin
aud demonstration Of the deception and fraud in
volyed therein.
II. That Kansas should Of right, be Immediately
tied at nda-t he Constitution recently
formed and adoptedby her people, and accepted by
the House Of Representatives.
IL. That, while providing for the support
Of the general government by duties upon imports,
sound policy requires such adjustment of these
Imports to encourage the development OF the in
dustral interests Of the whole country and com
mend tina. policy of national exchanges which Sc
cures tire working liberal wages, to agriculture
remunerating prices to mechanics and manufacturers
adequate reward for their skill, labor, and enter
prise and to the nation commercial prosperity aud
independence.
10. That W protest against any sale or alienation
10 others Of the Public Lands he'd by actual settlers
and against any view of the Free Homestead policy
which regards the settlers paupers suppliants
for public bounty; aad we demand the passage by
Congress Of the complete and satisfactory Homestead
measure which has already passed She House.
II. That the Republican party is opposed to any
change in our Naturalization Laws any State egfs-
Iation 10y which the rights OF citizenship hitherto ac-
corded TO immigrants from foreign lands shall be
abridged or impaired: and In favor of giving a full
and efficient protection to the rights Of all classes of
citizens whether native or naturaized, both at home
and abroad.
Is. That appropriations by Congress for River and
lIarbor improvements Of a National character, re-
CURED for the accommodation and security of
listing commerce, authorized by the Constitution,
and justified by the obligation of Government to pro-
tect the lives and property ofits citizens.
IS. That Railroad to the Pacific Ocean is impera-
lively demanded by the interests of the whole
try; Tat the Federal Government ught to render
immediate and efficient aid in its construction and
that, preliminary thereto, daily Overland Mail
should be promptly established.
IT. Finally, having thus.set forth our distinctive
principles and views einvite the cooperation of all
citizens, however differing other questions, who
substantially a. rec with in their aIirnance and
support.
SUPPLEMENTARY RrsoIUTI0S.
Resolved, That deeply sympathiZe with those
,aen who have been driven Of tn en- from their
native states AMI Others from the state OF their adop
zion and are now exiled from their homes account
af their opinions and we hold The Democratic party
responsible for this gross violation of that clause Of
sAe Constitution which declares that the citizens Of
each state shall be entitled all the privileges and
lnmunties Of citizen. in the several States.