The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-07-04

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 the Demo-
cratic faith, and every attempt to abridge the
privilege of becoming citizens and the owners
of soil among us, ought to be resisted with
the same spirit which swept the alien and Sc
dition laws from statute books.
And WHEREAS, Since the foregoing declara-
ton was uniformally adopted by our prede-
cessors in National Conventions, an adverse
political and religious test has been secretly
organized by party claiming to be exclusive
ly American, it is proper that the American
Democracy should clearly define its relations
thereto, and declare its determined opposition
to all secret political societies, by whatever
name they may be called.
ResolUed, That the foundation of this union
of States having been laid in, and its prosper
ty, expansion, and pre- eminent example in
free government built upon entire freedom in
matters of religious concernment, and no
| spect of person in regard to rank place of
birth: no party can justly be deemed national,
constitutional, or in accordance with Ameri-
can principles, which bases its exclusive
ganization upon religious opinions and acci-
dental birthplace, and hence a political cru
sade in the nineteenth century, and in the
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
Grafton and enlarged freedom which peculiar
ly distinguishes the American system of pop
ular government.
Resolred, That we reiterate with renewed
energy of purpose, the well considered decla-
rations of former Conventions upon the Sec
tional issue of Domestic Slavery, and co acern-
4 l. ,,~1.A
1st. That Congress has no power under the
Constitution, to interfere with or control the
domestic institutions of the several States and
that such States are the sole and proper
judges of everything appertaining to their
own affairs, not prohibited by the Consttu-
tion; that all efforts of the abolitionists or
others, made to induce Congress to interfere
with questions of slavery, or to take incipient
steps in relation thereto, are calculated to lead
to the most alarming and dangerous conse-
!quences; and that all such efforts have an inev-
liable tendency 20 diminish the happiness of
the people, and endanger the stability and per-
manency of the Union, and ought not to be
countenanced by any friend of our political
institutions.
2nd. That the foregoing proposition covers,
and was intended to embrace, the whole sub
ject of slavery agitation in Congress; and there
fore, the Democratic party of the Union, stand
and adhere to faithful execution of the acts
known as the Compromise Measures, settled by
the Congress of 1850; "the act for reclaiming
. fugitives from service labor" included;
which act being designed to carry out an ex-
press provision of the Constitution, cannot,
with fidelity thereto, be repealed or so changed
. as to destroy or impair its efficiency.
3rd. That the Democratic party will resist
all attempts at renewing, in Congress or out
of it, the agitation of The slavery question, un-
der whatever shape or color the attempts may
be made.
4th. That the Democratic party will faith.
fully abide by and uphold the principles laid
down in the Kentucky resolutions of 1898, and
in the report of Mr.. Madison to the Virgins
Legislature, in 1893; that it adopts those prin
: ciples as constituting one of the main founda
tons of its political creed, and is resolved tc
carry them out in their obvious meaning and
i'm port
e And that we may more distinctly meet the
t issue on which sectional party, subsistins
|. exclusively on slavery agitation, now relies
to test the fidelity of the people, North ant
n South, to the Constitution and the Union:
: 1st. Resolved, That claiming fellowship with
o and desiring the cooperation of all who re
gard the preservation of the Union under the
g constitution as the paramount issue-and re-
|. pudiating all sectional parties ard platform:
/ concerning domestic slavery, which seek to
= embroil the States and incite to treason anC
# armed resistance to law in the Territories
/ and whose avowed purposes if consummated
If must emo in civil and dsunion-tht
q American Democracy recognize and adopt tn,
i principles contained in the organic laws es-
!, tablishing the Territories of Kansas and Ne
If braska as embodying the only sound and saf
Olu of he ssSI VIII o1
If the great national idea of the people of thi
i whole country can repose in its determine,
n conservatism of the Union-NoN-INTER R
: ENCE BY CONGRESS WITH SLAVERY II STATE AM
d TERRITORY, OR IN TIE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
r. 1.-THE reading of this resolution inter
rupted for some time by tremendous anc
n prolonged appiause.]
l., End. That this was the basis of the Com
r promises of 1S50-confrmed by both tn
Democratic and Whig parties in national con
II ventions-ratifed by the people in the eec
i tion of 1882, rightly applied to the organiza
o tion of Territories in 1854
? 3rd. That by the uniform application of thi
n Democratic principle to the organization o
7 Territories, and the admission of new States
e with or without domestic slavery, as they ma,
If elect-the equal rights of all the States will
@ be preserved intact-the original compacts o
+ the Constitution maintained inviolate-ant
l. the perpetuity and expansion OF this Upiol
If insured to its utter capacity of embracing, il
It peace and harmony, every future America,
d State that may be annexed, with a republica,
IS form of government.
: Resolred, That we recognize the right of th
people of all the Territories, including Kansa
If and Nebraska, acting through the legally ant
IL fairly expressed will of majority of actua
c residents, and whenever the number of tlei
,e inhabitants justiies it, to form Constitution
v with or without domestic slavery, and be ad
l. mitted into the Union upon terms of perfec
I. equality with the other States.
S Resolred, finally, That in view of the condi
Al tion of popular institutions i'll the Old World
It (and the dangerous tendencies of sectional ag
N ita.ion, combined with the attempts to enforc
e civil and religious disabilities against tn
.e rights of acquiring and enj oying citizenship il
our own land,) high and sacred duty is de
sr volved with increased responsibility upon tn
J. Democratic party of this country, as the part
st of the Union, to uphold and maintain tn