The Placer herald., 1860-05-12
The Platfnrm.

From the report of the proceedings of the Ma.
tional Democratic Convention thus far received,
it appears that three different platforms had been
laid before that body for adoption We have on
an ascending scale:
lst The proposition, of Mr.. +. Butler, of
Massachusetts, Mr.. Butler has had hand in the
composition of more than one Democratic plat
form. His proposition, in this instance, was en-
| bodied in u minority report The telegraph re-
ports that it mcrley re-aflirmed the Cincinnati
platform, declared democratic principles
| changeable when applied to the same subject
matter, and recommends an additional plank fa-
vOring the protection of all citizens, whether
tive or naturalized.
3D. The principal minority report, which, it is
understood. embodes the views of Mr.. Douglas
md his friends In this the Cincinnati platform
is re-aflirmed, the rights ii property declared to
| be Federal in character. and the Democracy
pledged to the support of he decisions of the SUI
preme Court on the subject, ample protection
guaranteed to native and adopted citizens at
home and abroad, the Government pledged to aid
| in the construction of Pacific railroad, the ac-
QUESTION Of Cuba on terms honorable and just to
| Spain, approved; and resistance to the fugitive
slave law pronounced revolutionary and subver-
sivc of the Constitution
| Sd. A number of propositions couched in diff
fcrcnt language but all essentially of the same
character Among them is the report of the
Committee on the platform, which atfirms the
Cincinnati platform and lays down the following
add ditional planks:
First. That Congress has no power to abolish
slavery in the territories.
Second. That the territorial Legislature has no
power to abolish slavery in the territories, nor
prohibit the Introduction of slavery therein, nor
any power to destroy it by any legislation
| whatever.
Third. That it is the duty of the Federal Gov
ernment to protect, when necessary, the rights of
persons and property on the high and in all
territories, or wherever its constitutional Jurs-
diction extends.
There is also the resolution introduced by Mr..
Cochrane of New York, which reads as follows:
Il soiced, That the several States are, under
the Constitution, equal, and that the people
thereof are entitled TO free and undisturbed pos
session and enjoyment of their rights of person
and property in the common territory. and tina t
an attempt by Congress or q territorial legislature
to annul, ubridge, or discriminate against
any such equality of rights would be unwise in
policy and repugnant to the Constitutions; and
that it is the duty of the Federal Government,
whenever such rights are violated, to afford the
necessary, proper aud constitutional remedies
for such violation"
Also, the series of resolutions reported by Mr..
Bayard of Delaware of which the telegraph
gives the following synopsis:
The first afrms the Cincinnati platform; the
second declares that territorial governments are
provisional and temporary: that, during their cX-
istence. all citizens of the United States have an
equal right to settle in the territories, without the
rights of either person or property being de-
stroyed or impaired by Congressional or terrific
rial legislation. Third. That it is the duty of
Government to protect the rights of persons and
property on the high seas, in the territories, or
wherever else its constitutional authority extends
Fourth. That when settlers in territory have
adequate population to form State Constitu-
ton, the right of sovereignty commences; and
being consummated by their admission into the
Union, they stand upon an equal footing with the
citizens of other States, and that State thus or
ganzed has to be admitted into the Union, slave
ry no slavery.
Upon the Pacific railroad, the acquisition of
Cuba and the protection of native and natural
lied citizens abroad, an entire unanimity of
opinion prevailed; and this will, no doubt, be
incorporated in whatever platform may be
adopted. On the territorial question: however,
we have, as above stated three distinct PROPOSE
tions, viz:
To do nothing at all.
TO let the Court settle it.
To meet the issue fairly and squarely, and Sc
cure the rights of all classes of citizens in the
territory acquired by the common blood and
treasure.
Sacramento STANDARD.