Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-10-25
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
Adopted at Chicago, May 10th,

sentdIlNts Vi Tue NtpuOllCah ClellOIo VI tuc
United States, in Convention assembled. in
the discharge OF the 'luty we owe TO our con-
stituents and our country, unite IN the fol.
lowing declarations:
FIRST: That the history Of the nation
during the last four years has fully estab-
lished the prOpriety aud necessity OF the or
ganization and perpetuation OF the Repabli.
can party, and that the causes VIII ch called
il into existence arc permanent in their na-
ture. aud now, more than ever before, tie.
mand its peaceful and constitutional tri.
umph.
"Seeond: That the maintenance of the
principles promulgated in the Declaration OF
Independence, and embodied in the Federal
{ institution, "a essential ts the preservation
os our republican institutions; that the Fed.
eral Constitution. rights Of the States.
and the Union of the States, must and SHALL
be preserved; and th't we rcasseyt these
truths 10 be seli.eviGent, that all men are
created equal that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights;t at
among these are life, liberty. and the pur-
suit Of happiness. That to secure these
rights, governments are instituted among
men. deriving their just powers from the
consent of the governed
Third: That 70 the Union Of the States
this nation owes its unprecedented increase
in popu alton; its surprising development OF
material resources; ts rapid augmentation
OF wealth; its happiness at home, and its
honor abroad; and We hold in abhoirence all
schemes for disunon, come from whatever
source they may; and we congratulate the
country that no Republican member OF Con.
gr,ss has uttered or countenanced threat
of disunion, so often made by Democratic
members OF Congress without rebuke. and
with applause from their political associates,
and we dsnouncc thVse threats of disunion,
in case OF u popular overthrow OF their as.
tendency, rs denying the Vita principles oil
free government, and as nm avowal OF con.
templaled treason, which IL is the impcra.
tive duty OF an indignant people strongly to
rebuke and forever silence.
Fourth: That tho maintenance inviolats
OF the RI -shts of the States, and cspc ccially
the right of each State 70 order and control
it, own domestic Institutions, according ia
its own judgment exclusively. Is essential
TO that Calance OF power on which the per-
lection and endurance of our political faith
depends, and we denounce the lawlcss inva-
| sion by armed force OF any State or Terrific
ry, no matter under wha.'rrctext. as among
the gravcst of crimes.
FIFTH: That the present Democratic ad'
ministration has far exceeded our~worst ap.
prchcnsions in its metsurelcss subservicncy
to the cxicti0ns OF sectional interest. us
is especially evident in its desperate exer.
tions to tOrce the infamous Lecomptou
Constitution upon the protcstii people oi
| kansas-in constituting the personal relation
between master aud servant ~ involve al
unqualified property in persons--in its ut
tempted enforcement everywhere, on land
and sea, through the Intervention of Con.
gress and the Federal Courts, Of the cx.
treme pretensions OF purely local interest
and in its general and unvarying abuse oi
the power intrustcd TO il 10y a confding
people.
"Sirth: That the people justly view with
alarm the reckless extravaganza which pre-.
vades every department Of the fedora
government; that a return 70 rigid econom,
and accountability is indispensable TO arrest
the system OF plumber OF the public treasury
10y favored partisans while the recent start
ling Developments OF fraud and corruption
at the federal metropolis, show that an en-
tire change OF administration is imperative
~ demanded.
Serenih: That the new dogm. tha, The
Constitution, of its own force, carries slave
~ into any or oil the territories OF the Uni.
ted States, Ia dangerous political heresy
az variance with the explicit provisions Vi
that instrument itself. with cotemporaneoui
expeditions, aud with legislative and Judicial
precedent, Is revolutionary In its tendency
and subversive of the peace and harmony oI
the country.
Eighth That the normal condition oI
all the territory oil the United States is that
of freedom; that as our republican fathers
when they had abolished slavery IN al oui
national territory, ordained that no person
should be deprived of life. liberty, or prop
crty, without the process OF law. itbecomci
our duty. by legislation. whenever suct
legislation is necessary, 10 maintain thi.
provision Of the Consttution against al
attempts 10 violate il; and We deny I'll,
authority of Congress, Of territorial legis
lature. or OF any Individuals, to give lega
existence 20 slavery in any territory OF th'
United States.
Ninth: That we brand the recent re
opening Of the African slave-trade. undc
the cover OF cur national flag, aided
pervtrsions OF judicial power, MS a crimi
against humanity, a burning shame TO on
country aud age; ana We call upon Congress
10 take prompt and efficient measures fo
execrable traffic.
Tenth: That in the recent vetoes b,
their federal governors, OF the acts of tn
legislatures OF Kansas and Nebraska, pro
hibiting slavery in those territories. we tn.
a practical Illustration Of she boastcd demo
cratic principle OF non-intervention an,
Popular Sovereignty, embodied in th
Kansas and Nebraska bill. and denuncia
ii n of the deception and fraud involves
therein.
Elsrenh: That Kansas should Of righ
be Immediately admitted as a State, undc
the constitution recently formed an,
adopted by her people, aud accepted by TIA
House Of Representatives.
=. Tirelfh: That while providing revenu
for the support Of the general governmen
by duties upon imposts, sound policy re
quire> such adjustment of these impos,
as 70 encourage the development Of the in
dustrial interest of the whole country. an
We commend that policy of national ex
changes which secures 20 the working ma
I liberal wages, 10 agriculture rcmuneratin
prices, o. mechanics ani manufacturers a
adequate eward for their skill. labor. an
enterprise, and 20 the nation coInmercia
prosperity and Independence.
a Thirteenfh: That we protest against an
sale or alienation 10 others of tho publ
Lands held bv actual settlers, and agains
any view Of the free homestead pole
which regards the settlers a. raupers q
supplieants for public bounty; and v
demand the passage by Congress OF III
complete and satisfactory homestead meas
ure which has already passed the House.
| /. Teuxfsxrfi. That the Rsruklican mart