Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-05-25
Platform Adopted by the National
Republican Convention.

and our country, unite in the following declar-
ations
1st. That the history Of the nation during
the last four years, has fully established the
propriety and 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 is 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 Constitu-
ton, is essential to the preservation of our Re
publican institutions, and that the Federal Con-
stitution 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
ton 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 ofte1
made by the Democratic members of Congress
without rebuke and with applause from
their political associates and we denounce
those whose threats Of disunion, in case of q
popular overthrow of their ascendency, as de-
nying the vital principles of a free government
and az IN avowal of contemplated treason,
which it IS the imperative duty ofan indignant
people stery to rebuke and forever silence.
4th That the maintenance, inviolate, of the
rights of the States, and especially of each
State, to order and control its own domestic
institutions according to its own Judgment ex-
clusiv..'y, is essential to that balance of power
Oh which the perfection and endurance of our
political fabric depends and we denounce the
unlawful 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 worst apprehen-
sions of its mcasureless subserviency to the ex-
actions of sectional interest, as especially ev-
idenced in its desperate exertions to force the
infamous Lecompton Constitution upon the
protesting people of Kansas in constituting
the personal relation between master and SER
want to involve an unqualified property in per-
sons in its attempted enforcement everywhere,
on land and sea- through the Intervention Of
| Congress and Of the Federal Courts, Of the exc
treme pretensons of purely local interest !;
and in its general and unvarying abuse of the
power entrusted to it by confding people.
9th That the people justly view with a.
larm the reckless extravaganza which pervades
every department of the Federal Government.
That a return to rigid economy and accounts
biity is Indispensable TO arrest the systematic
pluudcr Of the public treasury by favored par
tizans, while the recent startling developments
| of frauds and corruptions at the Federal me
tropolis show that an entire change of admins
tration is imperatively demanded.
7th That the new dogma that the Consti-
tuition of its own force carries slavery into any
or all the Territories of the U. S. is danger
Gus political heresy at variance with the ex-
plicit provisions Of that instrument ITSELF with
cotemporaneous expositions, and with legisla-
tive and judicial precedents; and that it is rev.
o.utouary in its tendency, and subyersiye Of
the peace and harmony of the country.
9Th. That the normal condition Of all the
territory OF the United States is that of free
dom tlat our Republican fathers, when
they had abaisacd slavery in all of our nation
al territory. ordailtd that no person should be
deprived Of life, liberty, property, without
due process Of law, it becomes our duty by leg.
islation whenever such legislation is necessary,
to maintain this provision o. the Constitution
against all attempts to violate it and we de-
ny the authority u Congress or Territorial
Legislature or of any individuals, to give legal
existence to slavery in any territory of the
United States.
9th That we brand the recent re-opening
Of the African slave trade under the cover Of
our national flag, added by peryersions OF ja-
I d.cial power, as crime against humanity and
burning shame to our country and age and
we call upon Congress to take prompt and
efficient measures tor the total and final sup
precision of that exccrable traffic
10Th. That in the rScent vetoes by their
Federal Governors, of the acts of the iegisla-
lures Of Kansas and Nebraska prohibiting
slavery in those territories. we find practical
illustration Of The boastcd Democratic princi-
pies, of non Intervention and popular sovereign
ty, embodied in the Kansas Nebraska Bill, and
demonstrate, IN of the deception and fraud in-
viewed therein.
IIth. That Kansas should Of figli, be i'm
m>diate'y admitted as State under the con-
sttn.iOn recently formed and adopted by her
people, and accepted by the House Of Repre-
scntativcs.
18th. That while providing revenue for tho
general Government by duties upon imports,
sound policy requires such an adjustment Of
these imposts as TO encourage the development
OF the industrial interests Of the whole country,
and we commend that policy of national ex-'
changes which secures to the working-men lib
eral wages, to agriculture remunerating prices
to mechanics and manufacturers an adequate
reward for their skill, labor aud enterprise, and
10 the nation commercial prosperity and indie
pendence.
18Th That we protest against any sale or
alienation to others of the public lands held
by actual settlers, and against any view of the
free homestead policy, which regards the set
tiers as paupers or supplicants for public boun-
ty; and We demand the passage, by Congress,
of the complete and satisfactory homestead
measure, which has already passed the House.
I4th. That the National Republican Party
is opposed to any change in oar naturalization
laws, or any State legislation by which the
rights of citizenship hitherto accorded to emi-
grants from foreign lands shall be abritlgcd or
impaired. and in favor of giving full and ei6-
cient protection TO the rights Of all classes .of
citizens whether native or naturalized, both at
home and abroad. ~
18th. That appropriations by Congress fsr
river and harbor improvements Of q national
character, required for the accommodation and
security of an existing commerce, are author-
lied by the Constitution and justified by the
obligation of the Government to protect the
lives and property of its citizens.
10th. That railroad to the Pacific ocean IN
imperatieely demanded by the interests Of the
whole country; that the Federal Government
ought to render immediate and efficient aid in
its construction, and that preliminary thereto
a daily overland mail should be promptly es-
tablished