The Yazoo Democrat. [volume] (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1858-18??, 1860-02-11
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PLATFORM ADOPTED BY THE DEMOCRACY
OF ILLINOIS.


Illinois should declare the principles upon
which their position is based, and by which
their action will be governed in the coming
vanvass, in oIder to avoid misunderstanding,
we, the Democracy aforesaid, do hereby
ReSotoe, That we re affirm the doctrines
of the platform adopted by the national
Democratic Convention held in Cincinnati,
Ohio, on the second day of June, A. d.,
1856, and again declare our adherence and
attachment to the same, as expounded by
the present Administration, and the great
National Democratic party of the Union,
Resolocd, That said platform, as the creed
of the Democratic party, cannot be altered or
amended, except by party convention of
equal authority to that which adopted it
and any attempt, either negatively or affirm
atively, to dictate the terms of the platform
to be adopted by the next National Conven
ton, is wholly unauthorized by the usages
Of the party
ResoIved That we have entire confidence
in the action of the Charleston Convention,
and pledge ourselves to support its nominees
for President and Vice President.
Resolred, That upon the leading political
question of the day, we hold the true doc-
trine of the Democratic party to be that
neither Congress or Territorial Legislature
has power to exclude slavery from any Ter,
ritory of the United States but when the
people thereof, having sufficient population,
come to form State government, rrepara,
tory to admission into the Union, they have
right to permit or exclude slavery as to
them may seem best.
Resolced, That we utterly repudiate the
absurd doctrine that Territorial Legisla,
ture may do indirectly what the Constitu
tion and laws will not permit it to do d.rect,
.lW; and resort to the unscrupulous expe-
dient of unfriendly legislation" or non
legislation to compass the objects of a
majority in avoidance of the rights of citizens
as guaranteed by the Constitution, would be
an act of bad faith, irreconcilable alike with
the obligations of citizenship and the prin,
ciples of sound morals.
Resolved, That the territory of the United
States, is the common property of the people
thereof that neither Congress nor the
people of the territories can prohibit slavery
} ed by the Supreme Court of the United
States guarantees to the stakeholder the
} right to take his slaves into the territories
and Lold them there as property, and pledges
the Federal Government to protect him in
the peaceable possession of such property in
any territory of the United States; and
that al, territorial enactments tending to
destroy the right SO julicially determined
! 10y said Court in the sO.called Dred Scott
r decision, are unconstitutional, revolutionary
and void
ResOlUetl, That we recognize the Supreme
Court of the United States as co ordinate
branch of the Government under the Cons ii
. tuition, and the proper final arbiter between
the States and the people of the States and
territories upon all questions arising under
that instrument; and that the peace and
good order of society can be maintained only
by yielding obedience to the Constitution
} and laws as expounded by that tribunal
= ReSoLged, That we disclaim all intention
} to be harsh to our opponents, but, neverthe
. less, truth demands that we should most
Q solemnly declare that the natural tendency
J of the principles and practices of the Repub
= licans and their allies, the advocates Of
. squatter sovereignty, is to promote discord
0 and disunion, treason and murder, as prac
9 tically illustrated by the raid of John Brown
' at Harpor's Ferry.
Rcsolcea, That we have full confidence il
the ability, integrity and patriotism Of the
2 present National Administration, including
. its policy upon the slavery question, and
$ earnestly deprecate all attempts to make
$ capital against it by appealing to anti,slavery
preiudices, wherever they may exist.
+. Resolved, That manifest destiny points tC
u the acquisition of Cuba, and portions O.
It Mexico essential to our prosperity and secu
9 rity; and that we commend the foresight
and patriotism of the President in his wst
!. endeavors to obtain such acquisition BY
h means in harmony with the friendly rela'
tions of nations.
! Resolved, That the delegates representing
7 Illinois in the nominating Convention to bt
held in the city of Charleston Oh the 23C
If day of April next bo and are Lereby instruct
y ed to cast their votes for the nomination o
o sound National Democrats, without refer
encc to residence or section-it being fun
damental principle of Democratic action, tina
= there is in this nation no North, no South
no East, no West, but on y one whole anC
common country.
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