Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-07-14
THE CINCINNATI PLATFORM.

ResotreG That regard this as a distinctive fea-
ture of our political creed which we are proud to
maintain before the world, the great moral ele
ment in form of government springing from and
upheld by the popular will and contrast it with
the creed and practice Of federalisu under whatever
nam or form, which seeks 10 palsy the will of the
constituent and which cOnceiveS imposture too
monstrouS for the popular credulity.
RcsOlred therefore, That entertaining these views,
the Democratic party of this Union, through their
delegates assembled i'll a general convention coming
together in spirit of concord, OF devotion To the
doctrines and faith of free representative govern
mert and appealing to their fellow citizens fer the
rectitudc of their intentions renew and rc-asSert
before the American people, the declarations Of
principles ayowed by them when on former orca-
sions in general convention, they have presented
their candidates for the popular sTfragcs.
J. That the federal government is one Of limited
power, derived solely from the Constitution; and
the grants of power made therein ought TO lac strict
" construed by all tie departments and agents of
the government; and that 1t is ineXpedient and
dangerous to exercise doubtful Constitutional
powers.
, That the Constitution does not confer upon
the general government the power 30 commence and
carry general system OF internal improve
mcntS.
). That the constitution does not confer au,hori-
ty upon the federal government directly or indirect
w. to assume the debts of the several States, con-
trictcd for local and internal improvements, or 9th
er State purposes; nor would such assumption he
just or cXpcdicnt
T. That Justice and sound policy forbid the fede-
raj government to foster one branch of industry TO
the Getrimrnt of any other to cherish the inter
eSS d! one portion TO the injury of another portion
of our common country; that every citizen and eve
nv section Ct the country has right Ia demand
and insist upon equality Of rights and privileges,
and to complete an ample protection Of persons
and property from domestic violence or foreign ag-
grcSSion
3 That it is the duty of every branch oil the
government to enforce and practice the most rigid
economy in conducting our publ" affairs, and that
no more rrvCHuc ought he raised than is required
to dcfray the necessary expenses Of the government,
and for the gradual, but certain extinction OF the
public debt.
Il. That the proceeds of the public lands ought
he Sacrcdly applied the national objects Spcci
fled in the constitution; and that We Opposed to
any law for the distribution Of such proceeds among
the States, alike incXpediert in policy and repug-
nGnt TO the constitution.
:. That Congress has no power 10 charter 4 ma
tional bank that believe such an institution one
OF deadly hostility to the hest interests of the
try, dangerous To our republican institutions and
the liberties of the people, and cacula I'd to place
the business OF the country within ihe control Of
concentrated money power, and above the laws and
the will of the people; and that the results of De
mncrat;c legislation in this A,d all other financial
measures upon which issues have been made he
tween the two political parties of the country. have
demonstrated 10 candid and practical men Of all par
ties their SounucS> safety. and utility, in all bust
ness pursuits.
5. That the separation Of the moneys of the gov
eminent from banking institutions * indispensable
for the safety Of the funds Of the government, and
the rights Of the people
9. That we are decidedly opposed Ia taking from
the President the qualified veto power. lay which he
is enabled, under restrictions and responsibilities
amply sufficient tn guard ia" public interest
pend the passage of hill whose merits cannot &c
cure the approval "l two thirds al thu Senate and
House of Representatives until the iufg ut # the
people can he obtained thereon. and which las say
cd the American people from the corrupt and tyran-
meal domination of the Bank of the Unitc-i States,
and from corrurting system of general internal
improvements.
To- That the liberal PRINCIPLES embodied hy IF
fcrSon in the Declaration of Independence, ard
sanctioned in the constitution. which makes ours
the land Of Ererty, and the aSylum Of the opprCSS-
cd OF every nation have ever lccn c,rl;al rrinci-
pies in the Democratic faith AMI every attempt to
abridge the privilege of becoming citizens and the
OwncrS of soil among us ought to be resisted with
the same spirit which swept the alien ard Sctton
laws from our statute hooks.
And, WHEREAS. Since the foregoing declaration
was uniformly adopted by our predecessors in
lional conventions adverse political and religious
test has N secretly organized hy party claim
lS 10 DC Exclusively Aicil'ai IL il proper tllat The
American Democracy should clearly define It's rcla-
ton thereto and declare lis determined opposition to
all secret political societies, 10y wHatcver name they
may he called
Rc,oi,ed That the foundation of this union of
States having been laid in, and ITS prosperity,
panSon, aud prc-eminent example in free govern
meat. built upon entire freedom in matters of lcli-
gomS concernmcnt, and no respect Of person in
gard to rank place Of birth; party can Justly
be deemed national. constitutional, accordance
with American principles, which bases its exclusive
organization upon resiouS opinions and accidental
birth place And hence political crusade in the
nineteenth century, and in the United States of
America, against Catholic and foreign born is Meth
cr justified 10y the past history or the future pres
poets of The country, nor in unison with the spirit
Of liberation and enlarged freedom which peculiarly
distinguishes the American system of popular gov
, eminent
EesoIrcd. That we rcitcrate with renewed energy
of purpose the well considered declarations of form
conventions upon the sectional issue of domestic
slavery and concerning the reserved rights of the
States.
!. That Congress has no power under the conS-
tuition to interfere with or contro the domestic in
stitutionS of the several States and that such States
the sole and proper judges OF everything appcr
tanning to their own affairs prohibited by the
constitution; that all efforts Of the aholitinnStS
others, made to induce Congress to interfere with
questions of slavery, to take ncipent steps in
lation thereto, are calculated to lead to the most
alarming and dangerous consequences; and that
all such efforts have inevitable tendency to di-
miniSh the happiness of the people, and endangor
the stability and permanency Of the Union, and
ought not to be countenanced by any friend of our
! political institutions.
p That the foregoing proposition covers, and was
intended to embrace the whole subject of slavery
| agitation in Congress; and, therefore, the Demo-
cratic party of the Union, standing this national
! platform, will abide by and adhere to n faithful exc
cution Of the acts known the compromise meas
ures, settled by the Congress of 1850 the act for
retaining fugitives from service and labor" includ-
ed; which act being designed to carry out an ex-
! press provision Of the constitution cannot, with