Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-04-25
Cincinnati National Platform.

| cost them.
Cincinnati National Platform.
Below We give the resolutions of the Cincinnati
National Convention, adopted June 4th, 1856,
which nominated James Buchanan for President
We shall, from time to time, republish those the
creed Of the Democracy
Resotced, That the foundation Of this Union of
States having been laid in, and its prosperity,
expansion, and pre-eminent example in free gov.
eminent built upon entire freedom in matters of
religious Government, and no respect Of person in
regard to rank or place of birth party con
Justly be deemed national, constitutional, or 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 neither justified by the past hsto-
ry or future prospects Of the country in unison
with the spirit Of federation and enlarged freedom
which distinguishes the American system Of pop.
ular sovereignty.
Resolred, That We reiteratc with renewed ener-
gy of purpose, tho well considered declaration Of
former Conventions upon the sectional issue of
Domestic Slavery, and concerning the reserved
rights Of the States.
l. That Congress has no power under the Con-
stitution to interfere with ,r control tho domestic
institutions Of the several States, and that such
thing appertaining TO their own affairs not pro-
hbited by the Constitution that all efforts of the
abolitonists, or others, made to induce Congress
to interfere with questions Of Slavery, to take
incipient steps in relation thereto, calculated
| to lead to the most alarming and dangerous con-
sequences and that all such efforts have An inev-
liable tendency to diminish the happiness Of the
people and endsnger the stability and permancncy
If the Union, and ought not to be countenanced
by any friend Of our political institutions.
g That the foregoing proposition covers, and
was intended to embrace the whole subject Of
slavery agitation in Congress- and therefore, the
Democratic party Of the Union, standing on this
national platform, will abide by and adhere to
faithful execution of the acts known IS the Com
promise measures, settled by the Congress of 1885,
''the act for retaining fugitives from service or
labor" included; which act being designed to
carry out an express provision of tho Constitute on,
cannot, with fidelity thereto, be repealed, or so
changed as to destroy or impair its efficiency.
g. That the Democratic party will resist all
attempts at renewing, in Congress cut of it, the
agitation of the slavery question, under whatever
shape or color the attempt may be made.
4. That the Democratic party will faithfully
abide by and uphold tho principles laid down in
the Kentucky and Virginia resolutions of 1898,
and in the report of Mr. Madison to the Virginia
Legislature in 1899. that it adopts those principles
political creed, and is resolved to carry them out
in their obvious meaning and import.
And that We may more distinctly meet the is
sue on which sectional party, tubsisting
cusively upon slavery agitation, relies to test
the fidelity Of tho people, North and South to the
Constitution and the Union
l. Resolced, That claiming fellowship with, and
desiring the cooperation of all who regard the
preservation of the Union under the Constitution
as tho permanent issus-snd repudiating all Sec
tional parties and platforms concerning domestic
slavery, which seek to embroil the States and in
ri In and NPm01 rpsiSfA IN Ia IN
Territories and whose avowed purposes, if con-
summated, must end in civil war and disuni0n.
Tho American Democracy recognize and adopt
the principle contained in the organic laws es-
tablishing the Territories Of Kansas and Nebras-
ka as embodying the only sound and safe solution
of the SLAVERY question" upon which the great
national idea of the people of this country can
repose in its determined conservatism Of the
Unlon-Non- interference by Congress with Slave
~ in State or Territory, or in the District Of Co.
lumbia.
2. That this was the basis Of tho Compromise
of 1s50-confrmed by both the Democratic and
Wing parties in National Convention-rati6ed by
the people in the election of l852-and rightly
applied in tho organization of Territories in 1854
5. That by the Uniform application Of this De-
cratic principle to the organization Of Territories
and to the admission of new States, with or with
out domestic slavery, rs they may eect-ths equal
rights of all the States will be preserved intact
the original compacts of the Constitution main
tanned inviolate-and the perpetuity and expan-
sion of the Union insured to its utmost capacity Of
embracing, in peace and harmony, every future
State that may be constituted or annexed with .
republican form of government.
Resolved, That We recognizs tho right of the
people of all the Territories, including Kansas
and Nebraska, acting through the legally and
fairly expressed will uf q majority Of actual resi-
dents, and whenever the number Of their inhabit-
ants justifes it, to form q Constitution, with or
without domestic slavery, and be admitted into
the Union upon terms Of perfect equality with the
other States.
Resolved, finally, That in view Of the condition
of popular institutions of the Old World, and the
dangerous tendencies of sectional agitation, COM
bined with tho attempt to enforce civil and relig
ious disabilities against the right of acquiring and
enjoying citizenship in our own land-a high and
sacred duty is devolved with increased response.
As the party of the Unisn, to upheld and maintain
tho rights Of every State il the Union Of the
States and to sustain and advance among us con-
stitutlonal liberty, by continuing to resist all
monop0lies, and exclusive legislation for the ben
eft of the few, 1T the expense Of the many, and
by a vigflant and constant adherence to those
principles and Compromises Of the Constitution,
which are broad enough and strong enough to
embrace and uphold the Union as it was, the
Union it shall be, in the full expansion Of the
energies and capacity Of the great and progressive
people.
L. Resolred, That there are questions CONNECT
with the foreign policy Of this country, which are
inferior to no domestic question whatever. The
time has come for the people of the United States
to declare Themselves in favor Of free and pre-
gressive free trade throughout the world, and by
solemn manifestations to place their moral in
auence at the side Of their successful example.
2. Resolved. That our geographical and political
position with reference to the other States of this
contiaent, no less than the interest Of our com
merce and the development Of our growing power,
requires that should hold as sacred the princi-
pies involved in the Monroe doctrine their bear
ing and import admit of no misconstructiOn; thew
should be applied with unbending rigidity.
8. Resolved, That the great highway which
nature, as we'll as the assent Of those most imme-
diately interested in tho maintenance, has marked
out for free communication bctWsen the Allan
the most important achievements realized by the
spirit of modern times and the uncomfortable en-
ergy Of our people. That result should be secured
by timely and efficient excrtion Of the control
which We have the right to proclaim over it, and
no power on earth should be suffered to impede
or clog it, progress by any interference with the
relations which it maJ suit our policy to establish
between our Government and the States within
VII ose dominion it lies. We can, under no circum-
stances, surrender our preponderence in the ad-
justment OF all questions arising ont Of it.
4. Rssolred, That in view Of 80 commanding
an interest, the people Of tho United States can
not but sympathi1e with the efforts which are
being made by the people Of Central America to
regensrate that portion Of the Continent which
covers the passage scross the Isthmus.
s. Resol0ed, That the Democratic party will ex-
pecs Of the next Administration that every prsrer
effort will be made to insprs our ascendsney in the
Calf Of Mexico, and ~ maintain permanent
protection to the great outlets through which are
0mptied into ita vnhnn The prodnAts rniaeA onk ~