Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-10-18
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
Adopted at Chicago, May 10th,
lS10.

Sentatlves OIL the RepuDllcali electors OF tn
United States, ia Convention assembled, in
the discharge OF the iuty 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 and necessity OF the or
ganization and perpetuation of the Republi-
can party, and that the causes VIII ch called
it into existence are permanent in their ma
ture, and now, more than ever before, de-
mand its peaceful and constitutional tri-
umph.
Second: That the maintenance Of the
principles proc,ul gated in the Declaration OF
Independence, and embodied in the Federal
institution, is essential to the preservation
of our republican institutions that the Fed
eral Constitution. rights of the States,
and the Union Of the States, must and shall
be preserved; and tn we reasSert these
truths to be selfevicent, that all men are
created equal that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain inalienable rights; e. at
among these are life, liberty, aud 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 to the Union of the States
this nation owes its unprecedented increase
in popu alton; its surprising development OF
material resources; its rapid augmentation
of wealth; its happiness at home, and its
honor abroad; and We hold in abhorrence all
schemes for disunion, come from whatever
source they may; and we tongratula late III,
country that no Republican member of Con
grcss has uttered or countenanced threat
of disunion, so often made by Democrat,
members OF Congress without rebuke, ant
with applause from their political associates
and we denounce those threats Of dsunion
i'm case of popular overthrow of their as
tendency, as denying the vita, principles 0
n free government, and as an avowal Of con
templaied treason. which it is the impera
tive duty of an indignant people strongly t,
rebuke and forever silence.
Fourth: That the maintenance inviolat.
of the rights of the States, and especial,
the right OF each State to order and contro
its own domestic institutions, according T.
its own judgment exclusively, is essentia
to that balance of power Oh which the per
lection and endurance of our political tai,l
depends, and we denounce the lawless inva
sion BY armed force of any State or Terrific
~, no matter under what protext, as amons
the gravest OF crmcs.
FIFTH: That the present Democratic al
| miIistratlon has lar exceeded our worst ap
prchensions IN its netsureless suDserviency
TO the exictions OF a sectional interest, q:
| 8 especially evident IN its desperate exer
tlons TO force the infamous LecOmptoI
Constitution upon the Iroi,stI people o
X nsas-in constituting the personal relation
be woon IN st,T aud servant TO Involve ~
unqualified property ~ Persons-.n ats 81;
tempted enforcement every where, on lall
and sea, through the Intervention o. Con
gress and the Federal Courts, of the ex
treme pretensons 0f purely local interest
aud in its general and unvarying abuse o
the power Entrusted 20 il by contdinl
people.
"Sirth That the people justly view Will
alarm the reck ess extravaganza which pre-
vades every department of the fedora
government; that 4 return To rigid econom,
and accountability is indispensable TO arres
the system OF plunder of the public treasur,
by fvored partisans Will, the recent start
hing Developments OF fraud and corruption
at the federal metropolis, show that an en-
tire change OF administration is imperative
ly demanded.
Serenfh: That the new dogma that til,
Constitution, OF its own force, carries slave
| ~ into any or all the territories OF the Uni
ted States, is a dangerous political her.sy
at variance with the explicit provisions a.
that instrument itself. with otemporaneou
expositions, aud with Legislative e and judicia
precedent, Is revolutionary in its tendency
| and subversive of the peace and harmony o
the country.
| "Eighfh: That the normal condition o
| all the territory of the United States is tha
of freedom; that rs our republican fathers
when they had abolished slavery in all GU
national territory, ordained that no person
should be deprived Of life, liberty, or prop
erty, without the process of law. il become
our duty. by legislation. whenever sucl
legislation Is necessary. to maintain thi
provision of the Constitution against al
attempts to violate it; and We deny tn
authority of Congress, of n territorial legis
lature, or of any individuals. 20 give lega
existence to slavery in any territory of tn
United States.
Ninth That We brand the recent re
opening Of the African slave. trade, undc
the cover OF cur national flag, aided
pervcrsions of judicial power, as a Grim
against humanity. burning shame to on
country and age; and We call upon Congress
70 take prompt and efficient measures TO
the total and final suppression of tha
execrable traffic.
Tenth: That in the recent vetoes b
their federal governors, Of the acts of Oh
legislatures of Kansas and Nebraska, pro
hibiting slavery In those territories. we fin.
a practical illustration of she boasted demo
cratic principle of non intervention al,
Popular Sovereignty, embodied in th
Kansas and Nebraska bill. and denuncia
tin Of the deception and fraud Involve,
therein.
ElepenA; Tha, Kansas should Of righ
be Immediately admitted as State. unde
the constitution recently formed an
adopted by her people. and accepted by IN
House of Representatives.
" Tieeiffh: That while providing revenu
for the support OF the general governmen
by duties upon imposts. sound policy re
quires such AN adjustment of these impost
as TO encourage the development of the in
dustrial interest OF the whole country, an
we commend that policy OF national ex
changes which secures TO the working maj
liberal wages, 90 agriculture rcmun-raf'n,
price, TO mechanics aud manufacturers al
adequate reward for their skill. labor. AN,
enterprise. aud TO the nation commerciz
prosperity AMI independence.
TAirfeeHfA: That We protest against an,
sale or alienation 20 others of the publi,
lands held by actua, settlers. and agains
any view of the free homestead polio,
which regards the settlers as paupers o
supplieanfs for public bounty; and ",
demand the passage hy Congress Of the
complete and satisfactory homestead meas