The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-07-20
Seceders' Platform.

Below we give the Platform adopted by the
Secesslonists at Baltimore. The same Platform
was adopted by the Dlsunionists at Richmond,
/ '(who also no minated Mr.. Breckinrldge,) witt
this exception, that the second resolution of the
Richmond Platform reads as follows
sResolued, That 1t is the duty OF the FEEDER
al Government, in all its departments, 20 pro-
tect, when necessary, the rights OF persons and
property in the Territories, on the High Seas,
and wherever else its constitutional authority
extends"
The protection OF property on the High Seas,
means nothing more nor less than the protec-
ton of the SLaUe Trade, and involves a repeal
of all laws restrictve of that infamous traffic.
Mr.. Breckenridge in accepting the nomination
of the Richmond Convention, places himself
upon this platform. The resolution IN regard
to the protection OF property 10 the Territories,
| involves a violation of the Democratic doctrine
of Non-interveution with slavery, and there
fore the second resolution OF the following Sc
ries, is anti-D Democratic and violative of a SOL
emn pledg made to the people by the Demo-
cratic party. The protection of slave proper
ty, like that of every other species of property,
should be left to the Courts.
| ReSoLUed, That the platform adopted by the
democratic party at Cincinnati be affirmed,
with the following explanatory resolutions
| First. That the government of a Territory
organized by an act of Congress is provisional
and temporary, and during its existence all
citizens of the United States have All equal right
to settle with their property in the Territory,
without their rights, either OF person or proper
| ty, being destroyed or impaired by Congression-
al or territorial legislation.
| Second. That It is the duty of the Federal
Government, IN all IFS departments to protect,
when necessary, the rights of persons and
! property in the Territories, and wherever else
| its constitutional authority extends.
Third. That when the settlers in Terrific
ry having an adequate population form State
constitution, the right OF sovereignty commen-
ces, and, being consummated by admission into
the Union, they stand on equal footing with
the people of other States, and the State thus
organized ough! to be admitted into the Fede-
raj Union, whether its constitution prohibits
or recognises the institution OF slavery.
Resolved, That the democratic party are in
favor of the acquisition of the Island of Cuba
on such terms as shall be honorable to our
selves and just to Spain, at the earliest practica-
BILE moment.
Resolved, That the ensctments OF State
legislatures to defeat the faithful execution Of
the fugitive slave law are hostile in character,
subversive of the Con stitution, and revolutona-
ry in lis effect
Resolved, That the democracy of the United
States recognise it as the imperative duty of
this Government to protect the naturaized cit
izen in all his rights, whether at home or in
foreign lands, to the same extent as lis native
born citizens.
Whereas, One OF the greatest necessities of
the age, in political, commercial, postal, and
military point OF view, is speedy communi-
cation between the Pacific and Atlantic coast ;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the national democratic
party do hereby pledge themselves to use every
means in their power TO secure the passage of
some bill, to the extent Of the constitutional
aut horty of Congress, for the construction of a
Pacific railroad from the Mississippi river to
the Pacific ocean, at the earliest practicable
moment.