Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1860-03-01
Onnnsifion Platform.

Opposition Platform.
We insert for future reference the following platform
adopted by the opposition Convention, which met in
Raleigh on the 22d instant.
WHEREAS The present Democratic party, having been in
power years. having abused the trust conf
ded this venon believes that the time has come
when every patriotic citizen should take prompt ana ell
action towards sound and thorough reformation IN
public affairs. ,,
The party power responsible for the present depora
of the country. At the expiration OF the term
of Willard Fillmore it was with an overlooking treasury
peaceful prosperous home and regarded with respect
and confidence abroad now with bankrupt treasury
divided by internal dissensons dsgraced by exposed cor
dsrust
TO the practices of those who have controlled the govern
ernment the intervening PERIOD the people must look
for the source OF these msfortunes
Under the prestige of name, they have violated the
fundamental doctrines and distinctive principles which they
pledged to support Instead of economy IN the pub
government from fifty eighty millions Of dollars
year. supporting the treasury in time OF peace, by repeated
loans by the issue of treasury notes.
Instead of States Rights they have put forth the
of the general government to control State elections en-
pIoyng the corrupng of Executive patronage and
encouraging awlestness and fraud.
Instead Of construction of the Constitution,
they have made the most and alarming Propo
sons to place unusual and dangerous powers In the hands
of the Executvethat millions mi ht be at his disposal
that the and navy might be SO far at his as
give him virtually the making power which,
acceded to- would endanger the liberties of the people,
and later become subverse of the institutions
under which we live.
They have practced bold and unblusing corruption in
the departments OF ana nave
numbered the mails with onesded and exciting pubica-
on to turn public attention from their conduct and mis-
lead the people into the support of their schemes for the
purpose OF poongng their party ascendancy and perpeu
ating their power.
To end they have wecomedino their ranks and
taken under their especial protection agitator and distur
Sers Of the public peace in every section and Of every
justice and the safety Of the republic.
They have encouraged foreign without refer
to character cassand when landed Shores
they have openly couted foreign refugees, criminals and
and arshaed them into their party ranks to be
conducted to the ballot box contrary to the the land
to se the voice OF American citizens and rob them OF their
dearest birthrght.
To carry elections they have let the of the
government influential favoes, at eXhorbitant rates,
left the laws uneXeeued the arm of public justice
| and COuntenanced force and fraud.
They have checked the development of the national
and made dependent foreign nations for the
most articles of consumption, until financial and
commercial distress is reported from every quarter
They have kept up systematic agitation OF the dangerous
and exciting question of slavery adopting deceptive and
double platforms the subject and by the opera
ten of adroit political machinery have aroused popular
excitement whenever their purposes might require it.
false designed issues and have then practced the
fears eft the people to beay their principles and interests
the conflicting interests of different sections broken down
the great landmarks of policy erected by fathers and
lett The pubic councils bunderng IN darkness and uncer
By urging sectonalsm the South they have fostered
sectionasm i'll the North mnt they have built up power
Northern party which they have scruped
by accusing of the best and purest among South
ern men Of aftiati.n with its views and purposes.
They have converted the halls of the national Congress in
to theatre for the contests of the gadators Of actOn
sentative Masses and to place it in the keeping olgar
chy of mercenary office seekers who however the feelings
OF the people may revolt demand obedience to the martial
| law of their parry discipline.
In North Carolina they have attempted make their par
Trustees of University, and by caucusses e
Guiding from participation in the management Of the nstit
any wise be doubted Therefore,
Res0yed That against such practices and such organza
tOhs people, jealous of liberty, ought the
voice u condemnation and the stout OF determined
stance and that conservative citizens every section of
| w OV thpjr hottie than narfU
knowedgng allegiance but to the constitution and the
laws, should rally under the honored flag of the Union and
unite for the preservation of the cherished institutions Of
liberty pedging themselves to carry the following plat
form OF political principles.
OF the general government separating its appointments and
onacs from political bribery, and arresng the present
The control of the Senate the treaty making
of the President ought to be carefully preserved by
treasure and the power of the government ought with
the just jealousy OF free people to be kept the hands of
Congress.
g. The appointments office should be of faithful eff
clent men, and not OF partsans who years past
have occupied OF the most stations the
dshonor of the nation and the imminent danger Of
| our cherished institutions.
4. The rights OF American citizens whether native or
aZed should be protected from aggression aud the
national honor preserved, by fulfilling all our obligations to
ment of theirs
New States should be admitted into the Union without
regard to the establishment rejection of slavery their
constitutions.
g. The present laws Of Congress the subject slavery
should be adhered lo-and all further agitation ques
ton withdrawn from the OF national politics, the
whole subject left to the uninterrupted control of the peo
pie among whom it exists.
I. Feelings of fraternity and good neighborhood should
encouraged among the States and the aggressions
upon another should be repulsed and punished That
withsandng the recent outrage in the invasion of neigh
boring State by band Of fanatics with the excite
serye Instruction. and the delnquences of certain oth
ern States in not fulfilling the of the Federal Con
sution, in relation the institution slavery the South
ern States. still regard the preservation of the General
Government in all its Constitutional ygor sheet anchor
OF our peace at home and safety abroad and that
not acquesce III the necessity tor dissolution OF the Union
lief are likely to occur
our determination to maintain rights slave
property, and this be better effected within the Union
than by Its destruction When aggressOns upon these rights
committed within bOrders remedy in oul
own hands and the noble example of Virginia the
execution OF justice upon the invaders OF her SOIL will
trust render far distant the day which shall another
such expedition for assassination nsurrecton
When the perpetrators OF injury do not venture within
limits of seducing aiding escapes transmit
ting incendary publications and refusing and resisting the
tce not efecua could wish, good faitf
have right to demand but it difficult perceive how
they would be made more by converting the present from
tier of Free States into foreign frontier, by surrenderne
the right to redress for injuries of this the Courts
tugitves from justice the States and the
right to the capture and return of fugitive slaves with al
the force and at the expense Of the United States
That in opinion much relief may be obtained agains
such injuries by revision of the police laws of the
ern States and that whenever these frontier
annoyances to their proper enjoyment this species
property calling for redress by force shall be ready
W folce, ana 10 make their
TO- That in States which have violated the Federal Con
sttuon by statutes designed nuy the laws of the Uni
TED otates Tor the and their fug
tive slaves the Federal law should be maintained by tn
vigorous punishment of all guilty of this violation
. sucn state laws to the contrary notwithstanding.
IL That we reatm our long cherished opinions avo
OF the distribution of the public lands, their proceeds
among all the States of the Union than desra
BILE relief to the people of this State ainst the pres
ent burdens of taxation
IL The internal improvements of North Carolina shout
tostered and rapidly the resources
financial condition of the State win permit without
ing the people with taxation Or nurng the public credit
qudIty eAsts IN the present MODE
axation and is just and right that all property shout