Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-05-31
National Republican Platform.
las AMENDED AND ADOPTED. ]

of the Republican electors the United States, in
Convention assembled, in discharge of the d.ty
owe to our constituents and our country, unite in
the following declarations:
l. That the history of the nation during the last
four years. has fully established the proprcty and
necessity of tic organization and perpetuation OF
the Republican party, and that the causes which
called it into existence are permanent ia their ma
ture, and now, more than ever before, demand its
peaceful and constitutional triumph. r
2. That the maintenance of the principles pro-
mulgated in the Declaration of Independence and
embodied in the Federal Constitution, "That all
men are created equal; that they endowed by
their Creator with certain nalienabe rights; that
among these are life, liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness; that to secure these rights, govern
ments are instituted among men, deriving thcir
Just powers from the consent Of the goyerned'--
is essential TO the preservation of our Republican
institutions; and that the Federal Constitution,
the Rights of the States, and the Union of the
States must and shall be preserved.
3. That to the Union of the States this nation
owes its unprecedented increase i'm population,
its surprising development of material resources its
rapid augmentation of wealth, its happiness ut home
and its honor abroad and we hold in adherence
all schemes for DisunioD, come from whatever
source they may: And We congratulate the coun-
try that no Republican member of Congress has
uttered countcnanced the theats of Dsunion
so often made by Democratic members, without
rcbuke and with applause from their political asso-
catesi and We denounce those threats of dlsunion,
in case of popular overthrow of their a.cendancy
rs DENYING the vital principles of free government,
and avowal of contemplated treason, which
it is the imperative duty of an indignant People
sternly to rebukc and forever silence.
| 4. That the maintenance inviolate of the rights
of the States and especially the right of each State
to order and control its own domestic Institutions
according to its own Judgment exclusively, is cs-
scntial to that balance of powers on which the
perfection and endurance of our political fibric de-
ponds; and we dcnounce the awlcss invasion by
armed force of the soil of any State Territory,
no mittcr under what pretext, as among the gri-
vest ofcrimes.
5. That the present Democratic Administration
has far exceeded our worst apprehensions in its
measurelcss snbscrviency to the exactions OF a
sectional interest, as especially evnced in its dcs
pcratc exer.ens to force the infamous Lecompton
Constitution upon the protesting people of Kansas;
in constituting the personal relation between master
and servant to involve an unqualified property in
persons in its attempted enforcement, everywhere
on land and sea- through the intervention of Con.
gross and OF the Federal Courts Of the extreme
pseten.ions of p-rely local interest; and ia its
general and untarying abuse of the power entrust-
ell to it by a confding people.
6. That .he people justly view with alarm the
reckless extravaganza which prevadcs every de-
partment Of the Federal government; that return
70 rigid economy and accountability is indispensa-
BILE to arrest the systematic piunder of the public
treasury by favored paftisans; while the recent
startling Developments of frauds and corruptons ut
the Federal metropolis, show that an entire change
of administration is inperativcy demanded
| Z. That the new dogma that the Constitution,
of its own force, carries Slavery into any all of
the Territories OF the United States, is danger
our political heresy, at variance with the explicit
provisions Of that instrument itself, with cotcmpo-
| n.
cial precedent; is revolutionary in its tendency,
and subvcrsive Ct the peace and harmony of the
| country.
g. That the normal condition Of all .he territory
of the United States is that Of freedom: That as
our Republican fathers, when they had abolished
slavery in all national territory, ordained that
''no person should be deprived of life, liberty, or
property, without due process OF Law" it becomes
orr duty, by legislation, whenever such Legislation
is necessary, to maintain this provision of the Con-
stititon against all attempts to violate it; and we
deny the authority of Congress, aof territorial
legislature, or ofany individuals, give leral ex-
istence 10 slavery in any Territory OF the United
| States.
9. That we brand the recent re opening of the
African slave trade, under the cover of our nation
al flag, sided by perversions of judicial power,
crime against humanity and burning shame to
our country and age; and we call upon Congress
to take prompt and efficient measures for the total
and final suppression OF that exccrable srafic.
10. That in the recent vctocs, by their Federal
Governors. Of the acts OF the Legislatures of Kan
sss and Nebraska, prohibiting Slavery in those
Territories we find PRACTICAL illustration of the
soasted Democratic principles of Non Intervention
and Popular Sovereignty embodied in the Kansas
Nebraska bill. and demonstration OF the dccep-
ton and fraud involved therein.
/ III, That Kansas should. of right, be Immediate
Iy admitted az State under the Constitution re-
cep,ed by the House ol Representatives.
ID. That while providing revenue for the snp-
port of the general government by duties upon
imports, sound policy requires such an adjustment
of these imposts rs to encourage the development
of the industrial interests of the whole country;
and we commend that policy of national exchanges,
which secure to the working men liberal wages, to
agriculture rcmuncrating prices, to mechanics and
manufacturers an adequate reward for their skill.
labor and enterprise, and to the nation commercial
prosperity and independence ..t
| 13- That we protest against any sale or alien
alton to others Of the Puaic Lands held BY actual
settlers, and against any view of the Free Home
stead policy which regards the scttlers as pau
pers suppliants forpublic bounty; and we demand
the passage by Congress of the complete and salts
factory Homestead measure which has already
passed the House 1,fll 5ss E
i IA. That the Republican party is opposed to any
change in our Naturalization Laws or any State
Dl WHICH tlcut>
to accorded to immigrants from foreign lands shall
be abridged or impaired; andin favor Of giving a
full and efficient protection 20 the rights OF all
classes OF citizens, whether native or naturalized
both at home and abroad.
Ia That appropriations by Congress for River
land Hsrbor improvements of National character
required for the accommodation and security OF an
existing commerce, are authorized by the Consti
tution, and justified by the obligation Of Govern
ment to protect the lives and property Of its citi
Izens. eiaf dsfu sis.sssl alfl = e elfltaf III
d = l6. That Railroad to tho Pacific Ocean IS i'm
pcrativcly demanded by the interests OF the whole
country; that the Federal Government ought e
render Immediate and efficient aid in its construc
ton; and that, As preliminary thereto, daily 0yer
land Mail should be promptly established.
IL Finally, having thus set forth our distinctive
principles and views, We invite the co operation
all citizens, however differing on other questions
who substantially agree with in their af1rmanc'
and support Eo3 ~ ~ s&T
| ~ Il SUPPLEMENTAL RESOLUTION.
,ResolDed, That we deeply sympathize with thos'
, men who have been driven, some from their ma
tire State and others from the States of their ad
Ioption, and are now exiled from their homes Of
: account Of their opinions; and we hold the Demo
lcratic party responsible for this gross yoation
that cause of the Constitution which declares tha
1.-The citizens Of each State shall be entitled to Al
the 'PriviIeges and inmunties Of citixens in tn
several States. ttst