Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-07-25
NORTHERN HEAD.


Vice President-HERscHELV V. JOHNSON, of Ga.
THEIR PLATFORM.
Resofred, That we, the Democracy Of the Union,
in Convention assembled, hereby declare our af-
frmation of the resolutions unanimously adopted
and declared as platform of principles by the
Democratic Convention at Cincinnati in the year
1856, believing that Democratic principles are un-
changeable in their nature when applied to the
same subject matter. and we recommend as our
only further resolutions the following:
That inasmuch as differences of opinion exist in
the Democratic party as to the nature and extent
of the powers of Territorial Legislature and as
to the powers and duties of Congress, under the
Constitution of the United States over the insttu-
tion of Slavery within the Territories:
ResolUed, That the Democratic party sciW abtae
by the dec,sion of tie Supreme Courtofthe U,sited
States ocer the imsttution Of Slavery rcitltm the
Territories.
Resoired, That it is the duty of the United
itscitizens, at home abroad, and whether native
or foreign born.
ResofUed, That one of the necessities of the age
in a military, commercial, and postal point of
view, is speedy communication between the At
lantic and Pacific States, and the Democratic par
ty pledge such constitutional enactment will
insure the construction of railroad to the Pacific
coast at the earliest practicable period.
RESOLVED, That the Democratic party are in fa-
vor of the acquisition of the island of Cuba, on
such terms as shall be honorable to ourselves and
just to Spain.
RESOLVED, That the enactments of State Legisla-
lures to defeat the faithful execution of the Fugi
tive Slave law hostile in character, subyersve
of the Constitution and revolutionary in their
effect.
Resoired, That it is in accordance with the true
Interpretation of the Cincinnati platform that,
during the existence of Territorial Government.
the measure of restriction whatever it may be, i'm
posed by the Federal Constitution on the powers
of the Territorial Legislature over the subject of
domestic relations. tie has been, or shall
hereafter be, finally determt,,ed by tie Supreme
Court of the United States shall be respected nv
md onfnr rood yvifb
and fidelity by every branch of the Federal Gov
ernmcnt
THE DRED SCOTT DECISION.
In the 10th vol. of Howard's Reports, page 365,
it is stated that the Supreme Court of the United
States decided in the Dred Scott case as follows:
lst. The Territory thus acquired is acquired by
the people of the U. s. for their common and equal
benefit, through their agent and trustee, the Fed
eral Government. Congress can exercise no pow
er over the rights of persons property of citizen
in the Territory which is prohibited by the Con-
stitution. The Government mt and the citizen when
ever the Territory is open to settlement both
enter with their respective rights defined and
limited by the Constitution
End. "Congress has no right to prohibit citizens
of any particular State or States from taking up
their home there while it permits citizens of other
States to do so. Nor has it right to give privi-
leges to one class Of citizens which it refuses to
another. The Territory is acquired for their
equal and common benefit and i: open to any it
must be open to all upon equal and the same
terms"
3rd. Every has right to take fcitA him
into the Territory any article OF property ,clica the
Constitution of tie United States recognizes as
property,
4th. ssThe Consultation ofthe United States rec
ognSes slaUes as property, and pledges tie Federal
Government to protect 1t. And Congress cannot
exercise any more authority over property of that
description than it may constitutionally exercise
over property of any other kind
5th. 9Th act of Congress, therefore prohibiting
citizen Of the United States taking with him his
slaves when he removes to the Territory in ques-
tion to reside is of authority orer pri-
rate property ,clifch as not ranted 5y tie Con-
StstMtion, and the removal of the plaintiff by his
owner to that Territory gave him title to free
DOM
9th. "While it remains Territory Congress
may legslate over within the scope of its consti
tutiona powers in relation to citizens of the United
States and may establish Territorial Govern
ment and the form of this local government must
be regulated by the discretion of Congress: but
with powers not exceeding those which Congress
itself by the Constitution is authorized to exercise
over citizens of the United States in respect to
their rights of property"