Des Arc citizen., 1860-08-15
THE cINCINNATI PLATFORM.

ment.
 THE CINCINNATI PLATFORM.
 RESOLVED, That the American Democracy place their trust in the intelligence, the patri- otism, and the discriminating justice Of the American people.
 RESOLVED, That we regard this as distinc- tive feature of our political creed, which we are proud to maintain before the world, as the great moral element in a form of government springing from and upheld by the popular wlil; and we contrast it with the creed and practice of federalism, under whatever name or form, which seeks to palsy the will of the constitu- ents, and which conceive no imposture too monstrous for the popular credullty
 RESOLVED, THEREFORE, That entertaining these views, the Democratic party of this C- nion, through their delegates assembled lea general Convention, coming together in spirit of concord, of devotion to the doctrines ana faith of free representative government, and appealing to their fellow-citizens for the rec titude of their intentions, renew and reassert before the Americanpeoplet the declai ations Of principles avowed by them when on former oc- casions, in general Convention, they have pre- scented their candidates for the popular suffra- ges.
 l. That the federal government is one of limited power, derived solely from the consti- tuition and the grants of power made therein ought to be strictly construed by all the de- partments and agents of the government; and that it is inexpedient and dangerous to exer- else doubtful constitutional powers.
 2. That the constitution does not confer upon the general government the power to com mence and carry on general system of inter- nal improvements. ~
 B. That the constitution does not confer Wh- thority upon the general government, directly or indirectly, to assume the debts of the sev- eral states, contracted for local and internal Improvements, or other state purposes, nor would such assumption be just or expedient.
 1. That justice and sound policy forbid the federal government to foster one branch of in- dustry to the detriment of any other, or to cherish the interest of one portion to the injury of another portion of our common country;that every citizen and every section of the country has right to demand and insist upon an equality of rights and privileges, and to com- plete and ample protection of persons and property from domestic violence or foreign aggressi1n.'
 5. That it is the duty of every branch of the government to enforce and practice the most rigid economy in conducting our public affairs, and that no more revenue ought to be raised than is required to defray the necessa- " expenses of the government, and for the gradual but certain extinction of the public debt.
 6. That the proceeds of the public lands ought to be sacredly applied to the national objects specified in the constitution; and that we are opposed to any law for the distribu tion of such proceeds among the States, as alike inexpedient in policy and repugnant to the constitution.
 I. That Congress has no power to charter a national bank; that we believe such an insti- tuition one of deadly hostility to the best in terests of the country, dangerous to our re- publican institutions and the liberties of the people, and calculated to place the business of the country within the control of concentra- ted none " power, and that the result of the Democratic legislation in this and all other H. nanciai measures upon which issues have been made between the two political parties of the country have demonstrated to candid and prac- tical men of all parties their soundness, safe ty, and utility in all business pursuits.
 8. That the separation of the moneys of the government from banking institutions is indis- pensabe for the safety of the funds of the government and rights of the people.
 g. That we are decidedly opposed to taking from the President the qualified veto power, by which he is enabled, under restrictions and responsibilities amply sufficient to guard the public interest, to suspend the passage of a bill whose merits cannot secure the approval of two-thirds of the Senate and House of Re- presentatiyes, until the judgment of the peo-
 
 saved the American people from the corrupt and tyrannical domination of the Bank of the United States, and from corrupting system of general internal improvements.
 10. That the liberal principles embodied by Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, 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 the Democratic f,;f +forr fa hrisi ha lege of becoming citizens and the owners of soll among us ought to be resisted with the same spirit which swept the alien and sedition laws from our statute books.
 And whereas, since the foregoing declara- ton was uniformly adopted by our predeces- sors in National Convention, an adverse polit- icai and religious test has been secretly organ ized by party claiming to be exclusively American, 1t is proper that the American De- inocracy should clearly define it's relation thereto, and declare it's deterInined opposition to all secret political societies, by whatever name they may be called
 RESOLVED, That the foundation of this U- nlon of States having been laid in, and it's pros perity, expansion. and pre-eininent example in free government built upon, entire freedom in matters of religions concernment, and no re- spect of persons in regard to rank or place of birth, no party can justly be deemed national, constitutional, or in accordance with Ameri- can principles, which bases it's exclusive or ganlzation upon religious opinions and acci dental birthplace; aud hence, political cru sade in the nineteenth century, and in the United States of America, against Catholics and foreign born, Is neither justified by the past history or the future prospects of the country, nor in unison with the spirit of toll eratien and enlarged freedom which peculiarly
 distinguishes tue American syslem of popular
 government.