M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1860-07-12
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
Report of the Committee on {sCsO-
IuiIOns.

the American people.
RCsoired, Tat We regarl this as a dis
tirctiye feature OF our political creed, which
we are proud to maintain before the world,
as the great moral clement in a form OF gov
emmelit Sprnging from and upheld By the
popular will; and we contrast il with the
creed aud practice OF Federalism, under what
ever name or form, which seeks TO palsy the
will OF the constituent, and which ConCeivrs
no impos'ure too monslrous for The popular
credulity.
Rs8olrsd, therefore, That, entertaining
these views, the Democratic party of this
Union, through their Delegates assembled in
a general Convention, coming together in
spirit ofconcori, of devotion to the doctrines
aud faith of free representative government,
and appealing to their fellow citizens for the
rectiude of THEN intentions, renew and re-
assert before the American people, the dec
larations of principles Oyowed by them
when, Oh former occasions in general Con-
ventiOn, they have presented their candidates
for the popular sufrages.
|. That the Federal Government is one of
limited power, derived solely from the Con.
Etiiution; and the grants Of power made
therein ought TO be strictly construed by all
the departments and agents of the govern.
ment; and that it is inexpedent and dagger
Gus to exercise doubtful constitutional pow
ers.
2. That the Constitution does not confer
upon the General Government the power to
commence and carry on a general system Of
internal Improvements.
3. That the Constitution does not confer
authority upon the Federal Government, di.
rcCty or indirectly, to assume the debts Of
the 4everal States, contracted for local and
internal improvements, or other State pur
poses; nor would such assumption be Just or
eXpedient
4. That justice and sound policy forbid
the Federal Government TO foster one branch
Of industry to the detriment Of any o,her, or
to cherish the interests OF one portion to the
injury of another portion of uur common
country; that every citizen aud every section
of the country has right to demand and in
sist upon an equality Of rights and privileges
and to complete an ample protection OF per-
sons and property from domestic violence Or
foreign aggression.
5. That il is the duty of every branch Of
the Government to enforce and practice the
most rigid economy in conducting Our pub
lie affairs, and that no more revenue ought
10 be raised than is required TO delroy the ne
cessary expenses Of the Government, and for
the gradual, but certain extinction VI the
public debt.
6. That the proceeds Of the public lands
ought 10 be saCreily applied TO the national
objects specified in the Constitutions; and
that we are opposed to any law for the dis
tribuion ofsuch proceeds among the States. /.
as alike ineXpediont in policy and repugnant
20 the Constitution.
7. That Congress has no power to charter |
national bank; that we believe such an iusti. /
tuition one o! deadly hostility to the best in
tcrests OF the country, dangerous to our re.
publican institutions and the liberties OF the
people, and calculated 10 place the business
OF the country within the C0nuol Of con-
cenra ted money power, and above the laws
and the will of the people; and that the re-
suits of Democratic legislation in this and all
other financial measures upon which Issues
have been made between the two political
parties of the country have demonstrated to
candid and practical men Of parties, their
soundness, safety and utility. in all business
pursuits.
g. That the separation Of the moneys Of t.
the Government from banking institutions is
indispensable for the safety OF the funds Of
the Government, and the rights Of the peo-
pie.
o. That we are decidedly opposed to TAX
ing from the President the qualified veto
power, by which he is scnabled, underrestric.
lions and responsibilities amply sufficient TO .
guard the public interests, to suspend the .
passage Of bill whose merits cannot secure
the approval of !wo-tbrds Of the Senate and .
House OF Representatives, until the judg. /
ment Of the people can be obtained thereon, /
and which has saved The American people |
from the corrupt and tyrannical domination .
of the Bank of the United States, and from
a coHup!ing system Of general internal i'm
10. That the liberal principles embodied
By Jefferson in the Declaration Of Indapeu.
dence, and sanctioned in the Constitution,
which makes ours the land of liberty and the
asylum Of the oppressed Of every nation.
have ever been cardinal principles in ;he
DeluOCldblG luilIJ ult every dLlEhp- " .
abridge the privilege Of becoming citizens
and the owners of soil among US. ought to be
resisted with the same spirit which swep.
the alien and sedition laws from our statute
books.
And, WHEREAS, Since tie foregoing dee.
laration was uniformly adopted By Cur pre-
decessors in National Conventions, an al.
verse political aud religious test has been
secretly organized by party cl1iming TO be
exclusively American, It is proper tAat the
American Democracy should clearly define
its relation thereto, aud declare its deter.
mined opposition to all secret political So
ciotes, by whatever name they may be call.
ed.
RESOLVED, That the foundation Of this Un.
ion Of States having been laid in, and its .
prosperity, expansion, and pia.emincnt ez-
ample in free government bull. upon entire
freedom in matters OF religious COucernment,
and 10 respect of person in regard TO rank or
place Of birth; no party can justly be deemed
national, constitutional, OF in accordance
with American principles, which bases its
exclusive organization upon religious opin.
ions and accidental birthplace. And hence
a political crusade in the nineteenth centu.
ny, and in the United States Of America,
anoingt CotLC,l;c ,rd f,rai,,,, horn ig Uaifl.ar