The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1860-11-08
control of the. government, what then

control of the government, what then.
Have we any evidence that these cen
stitutional rights will be defended? In
order to answer this question correctly,
we must first examine the platform and
then analyze the sentiment of the party
We shall then be able-zto ascertain what
it's prominent idea is. platforms do not
always represent the men who control the
party. They. are too often used as q
means to an end-a stage on which men
Of various shades of opinions and degrees
of influence play the parts assigned them
during Presidential campaign; but when
I,the performance is over, andthe President
| is inaugurated, the managers take control
of him, whilc' the people are left to see
that the scenery and costume are taken
care of for future use.
First, then, what are Che principles en-
bedied insthe platform? Second what is
the prevailing idea of the party Do they
harmonic
The following resolution of the Chicago
platform contains the principles of the
party.
I 2. That the maintenance Of the plinci-
Piles promulgated in the Declaration Of
independence, and embodied insthe Fed
eral Constitution, is essential to the pre-
servation Of onr republican institutions,
and that the Federal Constitution, the
rights ofthe States, and the Union Of the
States, must and shall be preserved.
In the Declaration of Independence, to
which the above resolution refers, we find
the following:
We hold these truths to be self evident ;
that all men are created equal; that they
are endowed by their Creator with GER
tain inalienable rights; that among these
are life, liberty and the pursuit of happ-
ness. That to secure these rights govern
ments are instituted among men, deriving
their Just powers from the consent Of the
governed; that whenever any form of
government becomes destructive OF these
ends it is the right Of the people to alter
or abolish it, and to institute q new
government, laying its foundations on
such principles, and organizingit it's powers
in such form as to them shall seem. most
likely to effect their safety and their hap
piness.
Now, what says the constitution ?
Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, or prohibit
ing the free exercise thereof; or abridging
the freedom of speech or of the press or
the right of the people peaceably to as
scmble and to petition the government for
a redress of grievances.
Again'it says:
The Constitution, and the laws of the
United States which shall be made in pur-
suance thereof; and all treaties made, Or
which shall be made, under the authority
of the United States, shall be the supreme
law OF the Iand andTthe Judges IN every
State shall be bound thereby, anything to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives be-
fore mentioned, and the members of the
several State Legislatures, and all execu-
tive and judicial officers, both of the Unit
ed States and of the several States, shall
be bound by oath or affirmation to sup
port this Constitution.
Again: .
The citizens of each State shall be enti-
tied to all privileges and immunitiesof
citizens in the several States.
Hero are rights SO clearly set forth that
they can be understood by all, without an
Interpretation from the Supreme Court
If Mr.. Garrison desires to pablish an
anti-slavcry paper in Richmond, the Pres
ident is bound by his oath of ofRcesto de-
fend him against mobs or State laws.
Should Wendell Phillips talsc it into his
head to stump the South, be nnust be pro-
tected, if necessary. by the army and
navy.
It seems to me that this platform is
broad enough to hold all who regard slave
ry as On evil, and yet high enough in its
tone to satisfy the most radical ant-save-
ry men who desire to see slavery abolish
ed in the most speedy, and, at the same
time constitutional manner and the only
question is, willtho Republican party come
up to the standard which it has itself
erected? Why should it not? The gov
arn,,,ont will ho in the hands of men who