The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-05-25

the African slave trade, under the cover of our
national flag, aided by perversions of judicial
power, as a crime against humanity and
bnrning shame to our country and age and
we call upon Congress to take prompt and
efficient measures for the total and final sup
preston of that execrable traffic.
10. That in the recent vetoes, by their feder.
al governors, of the acts of the legislatures of
Kansas and Nebraska, prohibiting slavery in
those territories, we find a practical jllustra.
ton of the boasted De mocratic principle of
non.intervention and popular sovereignty EN-.
bodied in the Kansas Nebraska bill, and a de.
monstration OF the deception and fraud lnvOlv-
ed therein.
IL. That Kansas should, of right, be imme
diately admitted as State under the constitu
tion recently formed and adopted by her peo.
pie, and accepted by the house of representa-
tives.
IL. 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 interest of
the whole country; and we commend that pol
icy OF national exchanges, which secures to the
working men liberal wages, to agriculture re-
munerating prices, to mechanics and manufac
lures an adequate reward for their skill, labor,
and enterprise, and to the nation commercial
prosperity and independence.
Ii. That we protest against any sale or
alienation to others of the public land held by
actual settlers, and against any view of the free
homestead policy which regards the settlers as
paupers or suppliants for public bounty; and
we demand the passage by Congress of the
complete and satisfactory homestead 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 immi-
grants from foreign lands shall be abridged or
and in 20 Of fnn nd
efficient protection to the rights of all classes
of citizens, whether native or naturalized, both
at home and abroad.
Is. That all appropriations by Congress for
river and harbOr improvements of a national
character, required for the accommodation and
security OF an existing commerce, are author
lied by the constitution, and justified by the
obligation of government to protect the lives
and property of its citizens.
l6. That railroad to the Pacific ocean is
imperatively demanded by the interests of the
whole country; that the federal government
ought to render immediate and efficient aid in
its construction, and that, as preliminary
thereto, a daily overland mail should be
promptly established.
II. Finally. having thus set forth our dis.
tinctive principles and views, we invite the co.
operation of all citizens, however differing on
other questions, who substantially agree with
US in their affirmance and support.
Mr.. Giddings, of Ohio offered the follow
ing resolution, as an amendment to the
platform
RESOLVED, That we solemnly reassert the
selfevident truths that all men are endowed by
their creator with certain inalienable rights,
among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness, and that governments are inst
tuted among men to secure the enjoyment of
these rights. (Applause.)
He then addressed the convention in fa-
vor of the reassertion of these great princi-
pies of the Declaration of Independence,
and concluded by saying that the Republi.
can party was formed on these principles,
and when they were left out you leave out
the party. The amendment was rejected
by an overwhelming vote.
MIR. GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS, of New
York, moved to amend the second resou>
tion by inserting after the word " constitu>
tion,' the following words
"That we re.assert the self evident truths
that all men are endowed by their Creator
with certain inalienable rights that among
these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness. That to secure these rights govern.
ments are instituted among men, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed"
The amendment was adopted, and then
the platform, as whole, was adopted,
amidst great enthusiasm.
THIRD DAY.
FRIDAY, May IS.
A Presidential nomination was first in
order. Mr.. EvARTs, of New York, nom
mated SEWARD, and JUDD, of Illinois, LIN
COLIN; Ton CoRwIN nominated MCLEAN,
and FRANK BLAIR trotted out BATES The
first ballot resulted as follows