The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-05-30
Republlcan Plafforn.


The following is the platform adopted
by the Republicans at Chicago. 1t
comes as near being destitute of points as
any platform of any party has for years.
1t is one of Spalding's kind, which ''says
something but means nothing"
Resolued That we the delegated representa-
tives Of the Republican electors of the United
States. in Convention assembled, in the dis
charge Of our duty we owe to our constituents
and our country, unite in the following decla-,
rations
lst That the history Of the nation during
the last four years has fully established the
propriety and the necessity of the organization
and perpetuation Of the Republican party, and
that the causes which called it into existence
are permanent in their nature, and now, more
than ever, demand its peaceful and constitu-
tional triumph.
I'd. That the maintenance of the principles
promulgated in the Declaration of Independ-
ence, and embodied in the Federal Constitution
is essential to the preservation of our republi-
can institutions, and that the Federal Constitu-
ton, the rights of the States, and the union of
the States, must and shall be preserved.
| Sd. That to the union Of the States this ma
tion owes its Unprecedented increase in popula-
ton, its surprising developments Of material
| resources its rapid augmentation of wealth.
its happiness at home and its honor abroad
and we hold in adherence all schemes for dis
union, come from whatever source they may;
and we congratulate the country that no Re-
publican member of Congress has uttered or
countenanced the threats of disunion SO often
made by the Democratic members of Congress
without rebuke and with applause from their
political associates; and we denounce those
threats of disunion in case of q popular over
throw of their ascendcncy, as denying the vital
principles Of free Government, and as an
avowal of contemplated treason, which it is the
imperative duty of an indignant people sternly
to rebuke and forever silence.
| 4th. That the maintenance inviolate of the
rights of the States anil especially of each
State, to order and control its own domestic
institutions according to its own judgment ex-
clusively,is essential to that balance of power on
which the perfection and endurance of our po-
litical fabric depends and we denounce the
lawless invasion by armed force of the soil of
any State or Territory, no matter under what
pretext, as one of the gravest of crimes.
5th. That the present Democratic Admins
tration has far exceeded our worst apprehen-
| sions in it's measureless subserviency to the ex-
actions of a sectional interest," as especially
evinced in its desperate exertions to force the
Infamous Lecompton Constitution upon the pro-
testing people, of Kansas constituting the per-
involve an unqualified property in persons in
its attempted enforcement everywhere, on land
and scathrough the intervention of Congress
and of the Federal Courts of the extreme pre-
tensions of purely local interest; and in its
general and unvarying abuse of the power in
trusted to it by confding people.
9th. That the people justly view with alarm
the reckless extravaganza which pervades ev-
cry department of the Federal Government
That return to rigid economy and accounta.
bility is indispensable to arrest the plunder OF
the public treasury by favored partizans, while
the recent startling developments of frauds ane
corruption at the federal metropolis show thai
an entire change in the administration is i'm.
peratively demanded.
| 9TH. That the new dogma that the Consti
tuition of its own force carries Slavery into any
or all the Territories of the United States, is
dangerous political heresy, at variance will
the explicit provisions of that instrument itsel
with contemporaneous exposition, and will
legislative and judicial precedents; that it i,
revolutionary in its tendency and subversiv'
of the peace and harmony of the country.
9Th. That the normal conditit of all tn,
territory of the United States is that of free
dom; that as our Republican fathers, when they
had abolished slavery in all of our nationa
territory, ordained that no person should b.
deprived of liberty property without du
process of law, it becomes our duty by legisla
ton, whenever such legislation is necessary, t.
maintain this provision of the Constitution
against all attempts to violate it; and We den.
the authority of Congress, ora Territorial Leg
islature or of any individual to give legal ex
r istence to slavery in any Territory of the Uni
ted States.
9th. That We brand the recent reopening o
g the African Slave Trade, under the cover of on
national flag, aidedby perversions of judicia
power, a crime against humanity, and
hnr G choro fo ntryy nd a nd vi
? call upon Congress to take prompt and eficien
measures for the total and final suppression O
that execrable traffic.
10th. That the recent vetoes by their FEEDER
al Governors of the acts of the Legislatures Q
Kansas and Nebraska, prohibiting Slavery il
those Territories, we find practical illustra
ton of the boasted Democratic principle of non
led in the Kansas Nebraska bill, and demol
stration of the deception and fraud involve
therein.
9 11th. That Kansas should of right, be i'm
mediately admitted State under the Cor
tsitution recently formed and adopted by he
= people, and accepted by the House of Repr,
sentatives.
18th. That while providing revenue for tn
support of the General Government, by dutis
upon imports, sound policy requires such a
adjustment of these imports as to encourage th
. development of the industrial interests of tn
d whole country, and we commend that policy
: National Exchanges which secures to the worl
ing men liberal wages, agriculture remuners
. ting prices, to mechanics and manufacturers a
: adequate reward for their skill, labor and Ell
e terprise, and to the nation, commercial prosper
I, ity and independence.
- 18th. That we protest against any sale q
Q alienation to others of the public lands held b
d actual settlers and against any view of the FIRE
q homestead policy, which regards the settlers q
: paupers or suppliants for public bounty, and "
demand the passage by Congress of the CON
: plete and satisfactory homestead measure whic
y has already passed the House.
; 14th That the National Republican party
g opposed to any change in our naturalizatio
8 laws, or any State legislation, by which IL
It right of citizenship hitherto accorded to imm