The national Republican., 1860-12-25
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

hVeS OF the hcpuDllCan ELECTORS OF the United
tates, in Convention assembled, In discharge
5 the duty we owe to our constituents and our
ountry, unite in the following declarations:
First. That the history Of the nation during
Re last four years has fully established the pro.
riety and necessity Of the organization and per-
etuation of the Republican party, and that the
Anses which called It into existence are perma-
ent in their nature, and now, more than ever
efore, demand it's peaceful and constitutional
iumph.
Second That the maintenance of the principles
romulgated In the Declaration of Independence,
nd embodied In the Federal Constitution, "that
VI men are created equal that they are endowed
y their Creator with certain unalienab BILE rights
hat among these are life, liberty, and the pur-
lit of happiness that to secure these rights,
overnments are instituted among men, deriving
Heirjust powers from the consent Of the governed,
essential to the preservation Of our republican
'stitutions; and that the Federal Constitution,
he rights Of the States, and the Union of the
tates, must and shall be preserved.
Third. That to the Union of the States this
"'oh O"So ITO ouhucSSuVHtSu luCTth56 IN pODu-
'tion; its surprising development of material
,sources; its rapid augmentation of wealth /;
happiness at home and its honor abroad aud
e hold In adherence all schemes for disunon,
ONE from whatever source they may and we
ongratuate the country that no Republican
,ember of Congress has uttered or countenanced
threat Of disunion, so often made by Demo-
ratio members without rebuke and with ap-
lause from their political associates and we
1nounce those threats of disunion, In case Of
popular overthrow of their ascendency, as de.
ying the vital principles of free Government,
'ad as an avowal Of contemplated treason, which
is the imperative duty of an indignant people
ernly to rebuke and forever silence.
Fourth. That the maini enance inviolate of
ne rights of the States, and especially the right
each State to order and control its own do.
,estic institutions, according to its own judg-
ent exclusively, is essential to that balance Of
over on which the perfection and endurance Of
ir political fabric depends; and we denounce
'e lawless invasion by armed force of the soil
any State or Territory, no matter under what
retext, as among the gravest of crimes.
TV"' ludt tHe present DenOCratlC A0mlnlS-
alton has far exceeded our worst apprehensions
iis measureless subserviency to the exactions
7 a sectional interest, as especially evidenced
q its desperate exertions to force the Infamous
'"compton Constitution upon the protesting peo-
OF Kansas-in constituting the personal rela-
on between master and servant to involve an
nquaifed property in persons-in its attempted
iforcement everywhere, on land and sea, through
ne intervention OF Congress and of the Federal
,urts, of the extreme pretensons of purely To-
'linterest and in its general and nvarying abuse
the power intrusted to it by q coniding people,
Sizh. That the people justly view with alarm
he reckless extravaganza which pervades every
.partment of the Federal Government; that a
turn to rigid economy and accountability is in
isPensabe to arrest the systematic plunder of the
ublic Treasury by favored psrtisans; while the
scent startling developments of frauds and cor
iptions at the Federal metropolis show that an
itire change of Administration is imperatively
emanded.
Seventh. That the new dogma that the Consti-
ltion of its own force carries slavery into any
e all Of the Territories of the United States is
angerous political heresy, at variance with the
tplcit provisions of that instrument itself, with
otemporaneous exposition, and with legislative
nd judicial precedent; Is revolutionary in its
'ndency, and subversive of the peace and har-
aony of the country.
Eighth. That the normal condition of all the
.rritory of the United States is that of Freedom;
rat as our republican fathers, when they had
polished slavery in all our national territory,
'dained that "no person should be deprived Of
fe, liberty, or property, without due process of
wv" 1t becomes our duty, by legislation, when
yer such legislation is necessary, to maintain
lis provision of the Constitution against all at
'mpts to violate 1t; and we deny the authority
+ Congress- Of Territorial Legislature, or of
ny individuals, to give legal existence to sla-
cry in any Territory of the United States.
Ninth. That we brand the recent reopenng of
le African slave trade, under the cover of our
ational flag, aided by perversions of judicial
over, as crime against humanity, and burning
'ame to our country and age; and we call upon
ongress to take prompt and efficient measures
IF the total and final suppression of that exc
able traffic.
Tenth. That in the recent vetoes by their Fed
'al Governors of the acts of the Legislatures
I Kansas and Nebraska, prohibiting slavery in
rose Territories, we find a practical illustration
the boasted Democratic principle of nou-n.
'rvention and popular sovereignty embodied in
ie Kansas-Nebraska bill, and a demonstration
the deception and fraud involved therein.
Eleventh. That Kansas should of right be i'm
nediatey admitted as State under the Consti-
'ton recentiy FORMED ana ADOPTED by her people,
I'D accepted by the House of Representatives.
7Wsyh. That while providing revenue for the
ipport Of the General Government BY duties
pom imports, sound policy requires such an ad.
!stment OF these imposts as to encourage the de.
,lopment of the industrial interests of the whole
'untry and we commend that policy of nation
exchanges, which secures to the working men
oeral wages, to agriculture remunerating prices,
) mechanics and manufacturers an adequate
ward for their skill, labor, and enterprise, and
the nation commercial prosperity and indie.
sndence.
Thirteenth. That we protest against any sale
: alienation to others of the public lands held |
y actual settlers, and against any view of the
zee homestead policy which regards the settlers
} paupers or supplicants for public bounty and |
re demand the passage by Congress of the com.
jete and satisfactory homestead measure which |
AS already passed the House.