Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-07-18
THE CINCINNATI PLATFORM.

Resolre That we regard this as distinctive fea-
tnre Of our political creed, which we are proud to
maintain before the world as the great moral ele-
ment in a form of government springing from and
upheld by the popular will and VIC contrast it with
the creed and practice of federalism, under whatever
nam or form, which seeks to palsy the willaof the
constituent, and which cohcelyes no linPosture too
monStrouS for the popular cre,luity.
Resolred therefore, That, ertertainingthese views,
the Democratic party of this Union, through their
delegates assembled in general convention, coming
together in spirit of concord, OF devotion to the
doctrines and faith Of free representative govern
,nent and appealing to their fellow citizens fer the
recttude of their intentions, renew and rc-assert
before the American people, the declarations of
principles avowed by them when, on former Occa-
sions in general convention, they have presented
their candidates for the popular snffiagcs.
]. That the federal government is one Of limited
power derived solely from the Constituton and
the grants of power made therein ought to he strict
ly construed by all the departments and agents of
the government; and that it is inexpelient and
dangerous to exercise doubtful Constitutional
powers. ..--. .--..-....
9. That the Constitution does not confer upon
the general government the power to commence and
carry on general system Of internal improve
nentS 81
B. That the constitution does not confer au'hori-
ty upon the federal government directly or Indirect
tracted for local and internal improvements, or 9th
er State purposes nor would such assumption DC
Just or eXpedicEt ..
4. That justice and sound policy forbid the fete-
raj government to foster branch of industry to
the detrmcn of any other, to cherish the inter-
es,s Of one portion to the injury of another portion
of our common country that every citizen and eve
ry section Of the country has a right to demand
and insist upon equality Of rights and privileges,
and to complete ample protection Of persons
and property from domestic violence or foreign ag-
gression
s. That it is the duty of every branch OF the
government to enforce and practice the most rigid
economy in conducting our public affairs. and that
no more revenue ought to be raised than is required
defray the necessary expenses OF the government,
and for the gradual, but certain extinction Of the
public debt.
6. That the proceeds Of the public lands ought
to lie saciedly applied to the national objects speci
fed in the constitution; and that We opposed to
any law for the distribution of sc! proceeds among
the States, alike nexpedent in POLICY and repug-
nant to the constitution
Z. That Congress has no power to charter
tional bank that We believe such an institution
Of deadly hostility to the best interests of the
try, dangerous to our republican institutions and
the liberties of the people, and calculated to place
the business OF the country within ihe control Of
concentrated money power, and above the laws and
the will of the people; and that the results Of De
mocratic legislation in this and all other financial
measures upon which issues have been made be-
tween the two political parties of the country, have
demonstrated TO candid and practical men Of all par
ties their Soundnes> safety and utility, in all bust
ness pursuits.
g. That the separation Of the moneys Of the gov
eminent from banking institutions is indispensable
for the safety Of the funds of the government and
the rights of the people.
9. That We decidedly opposed to taking from
the President the qualified veto power hy which he
is enabled under restrictions and responsibilities
amply sufficient to guard the public interest, to
pend the passage of bill whose merits cannot Sc
the approval of two thirds OF the Senate and
House of Representative until the uds nent of the
people can lie obtained thereon. and which has saw
cd the American people from the corrupt and tyran-
meal domination of the Bank of the United States,
and from corruptng system of general internal
improvements
10. That the liberal principles embodied by JEFF
ferson in the Declaration of independence. ard
sanctioned in the constitution, which makes ours
the land of liberty, and the asylum of the Cypress
cd OF every nation, havs.ever Eecn cardinal princ
pies in the Democratic faith, and every attempt to
abridgc the privilege of becoming ctzcES and the
owners of soil among us ought to he resisted with
the same spirit which swept the alien and sedition
laws from our statute books.
was uniformly adopted by our predecessors in ma
tional conventions an adverse political and religions
test has been secretly organized by party claim
ing to be exclusively American, it is proper !hat the
American Democracy should clearly define ITS rela
ton thereto and declare its determined opposition to
all secret political societies, by Whatever they
may be called.
Kesolred, That the foundation of this union Of
States having been laid in, and It's prosperity,
in FREQ
ment, built upon entire freedom in matters of reli-
gios Government ard no respect of person in re-
gard to rank place of birth no party can justly
be deemed NATIONAL constitutional OF IN accordance
with American principles which bases its exclusive
organization upon religious opinions and accidental
birth place. And hence political crusade in the
nineteenth century, and in the United States of
America against Catholic and foreign born, is Meth
CT justified by the past history the future pres
poets Of the country nor in unison with the spirit
of liberation and enlarged freedom which peculiarly
t distinguishes the American system of popular gov.
! ernncnt
I Resolred, That we reerate with renewed energy
of purpose the well considered declarations Of f'rm-
err conventions upon the sectional issue of domestic
slavery, and concerning the reserved rights Of the
| States
l. That Congress has no power under the consti-
tuition to interfere with or control the domestic in.
situations Of the several States and that such States
are the sole and proper judges Of everything aprer-
tanning to their own affairs, not prohibited by the
constitution; that all efforts Of the abotionists. or
others. made to induce Congress to interfere with
questions Of slavery, to take ncpent steps in re-
Nation thereto are calculated to lead to the most
h'arnng and dangerous consequences; and that
I'LL such efforts have inevitable tendency to d.
tinish the happiness Of the people, and -ndanger
the stability and permanency of the Union, and
bught not to be countenanced by any friend of GU,
political institutions.
g. That the foregoing proposition covers, and was
intended to embrace the whole subject of slavery
agitation in Congress; and, therefore, the Demo
cratic party of the Union, standing on this nationa
platform, will abide by and adhere to faithful exc
/ cution Of the acts known as the compromise mess
ures, settled by the Congress of 1850 the act fol
retaining fngitives from service and labor' inclu.l
ed; which act being designed to carry out an ex
press provision 0f.~the constitution, cannot will