, 1860-08-03
The Platforms.
DOUGLAS AND JOHNSON.

bOtNlAAo AMI JohNoONs
Resolred, That we, the Democracy Of the
Union, in convention assembled, hereby
declare our affirmation of the resolutions
unanimously adopted and declared as a
platform of principles by the Democratic
convention at Cincinnati in the year 1856,
believing that Democratic principles are
Interchangeable in their nature when applied
to the same subject matter, and we recon-
mend as our only further resolutions the
following:
That inasmuch as differences of opinion
exist in the Democratic party as to the ma
ture and extent of the powers of terrific
rial legislature, and as to the powers and
duties of Congress, under the constitution
Of slavery within the territories:
ResoLred, That the Democratic party
will abide by the decision of the Supreme
court of the United States over the institu-
ton Of slavery within the territories.
Resolred, That it is the duty of the Uni
ted States to afford ample and complete
protection to all its citizens, at home or
abroad, and whether native or foreign
born.
ResolUed, That one Of the necessities of
the age, in military, commercial and pos
tai point Of view, is speedy communication
between the Atlantic and Pacific States,
and the Democratic party pledge such con-
stitutional enactments as will insure the
construction of a railroad to the Pacific
coast at the earliest practicable period.
ResOlred, That the Democratic party are
in favor of the acquisition of the island of
Cuba, on such terms as shall be honorable
to ourselves and just to Spain.
ResOlred, That the enactments of State
legislatures to defeat the faithful execution
of the fugitive slave law are hostile in char
acter, subversive Of the constitution and
revolutionary in their effect.
BRECKENRIDGE AND LANE.
Resolred, That the platform adopted by
the Democratic party at Cincinnati be af-
irmed, with the following explanatory reso-
lutionS:
l. That the government Of Territory
organized by an act of Congress is provis-
ional and temporary, aud during its exis-
tence all citizens of the United States
have an equal right to settle with their
property in the Territory, without their
rights, either Of person or property, being
destroyed or injured by Congressional or
Territorial legislation.
2. That it is the duty of the federal gov,
ernment, in all its departments, to protect
the rights of persons aud property in the
Territories, and wherever else its constu-
tional uathorityextends.
8. That when the settlers in Territory
having an adequate population TO form a
State constitution, the right of sovereignty
commences, aud being consummatRd by their
admission into the Union, they stand on an
equality with the people of other States,
aud State thus organized ought to be ad-
mitted into the Union, whether its con-
stitution prohibits or recognizes the insti.
tuition Of slavery
ResOlred, That the Democratic party are
in favor of the acquisition of the island Of
Cuba, on such terms as shall be honorable
to ourselves and just to Spain, at the EARL.
est practicable moment.
ReS0ired, That the enactments Of State
legislatures to defeat the faithful execution
of the fugitive slave law are hostile in
character subversve Of the constitution, and
revolutionary in their effect.
ResOlrsd, That the Democracy of the
United States recognize it as the impera.
tive duty OF this government TO protect the
nuturalized citizen in oil his rights, whether
ut home or in foregn lands, to the same
extent as its native born citizens.
WHEREAS, one Of the greatest necessities
Of the age, in political, commercial, pos,
tai and military point of view, is a speedy
communication between the Pacific and
Atlantic coasts, therefore, he it -
Resoleed, Thac the National Democrat
party do hereby pledge themselves to use
every means in their power to secure the
passage of some bill, to the extent of their
constitutional authority, by Congress, for
the construction of Pacific railroad from
the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean,
at the earliest practicable moment.