St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1862-07-17
Democratic Platform,

Resolrea. That while We believe tie war in
which the United States is now engaged would
have been averted by the adoption Of those
measures OF concllation and compromise sub
mitted TO Congress by Democrats and rejected
by kepnblicans,-we also believe it is a war
| forced upon the country by the ambition Of
traitors, and We pledge the Democracy of Min
nesota to support TIE Government on MI Law.
III! ne"fures to restore the Union as it was
aud preserve the Con .titu!y, rs it is
Eesolred, That we dcncuncc the principles
Of Southern Secession and MOI 'hern Abolition
Ism as twin herescs. producing only hatred.
strife, bloodshed; thrca' enins lheeyery exis.
1ence OF our National Governments at enmity
with every principle CT State Sovereignty AID
responsible for all the ,uiscrics Of our distract
cd country
ResoieeA, That the socallcd Republican par,
ty, ny snrrentering itself into the hands uf
the radlca aholitionis:s, whose declared pur-
poses it is to destroy the institution Of slavery
at whatever hazard to the existence of the Uni.
on, has for ftited all claim to be considered
national party, and its continuance as a.
dominant political power would be as fatal to
the integrity Of the Republic, as in repeated
instances, it has proved itself to be regardless
OF the restraints otthe Constitution We charge
that party.
]. With violation of the liberty of the citi-
zen by consignins to prison without warrant of
law, many innocent and loyal men. and af-
fording them no opportunity for defence
z With unj just and arbitrary restrictions
upon the freedom OF the press, by the suppress
lon of loyal journals, politically opposed to
! that party.
3. With in.tituting rigid censorship Of the
press and of the telegraph lines, under the pro-
tence OF military necessity but really with tho
, intention to prevent the people at large from
obtaining uch information of the actual condi-
the political leaders Of the dominant party re-
sponsible for the gross NAL administration Of
the government
4. With unheard Of corruptions in the man
| agement of the public finances, whereby ac-
according to the showing of members of their
own party, nearly one hundred millions Of dol
! lars have been stolen by men high in office.
! or reckless]y squandered through their means
upon their political friends.
D. With Initiating in Congress measures Of
conhscation and emancipation Of extreme Sc
verify. which must necessarily have the effect
to drive Southern Union men into the ranks Of
the rebels, to concentrate and embitter the
| armed opposition to the Government. and
thereby prolong the war.
o. With abandoning the traditional policy Of
| the nation in conceding the right of search, at
time and under circumstances which justify
| the assumption that it was disgracef,ll truck
ling to the wishes, if not the dictation, of tho
British Government
7. With an outrageous trifing with the lives
| OF our noble volunteers, and with the public
safety, by the appointment to high mill
tary position. in many cases, of political IA
vorltes utterly incompetent to perform their
| duties, or to lead their commands on the bat
| tle6eld.
| 8. With extravagance in every department
Of the Government, whereby tho burden of Ma
tional and State taxation is enormously and
unnecessarily increased.
| .. With want of knowledge and ability to
manage the affairs of the nation in its present
condition of extreme peril, and complete fall
slfcat:on of its pledges to the country that the
war should be prosecuted to reduce the rebel.
lion, aud preserve the Union as it was.
! Resolred, That the high character and brave
and gallant bearing of the different regiments
of volunteers from this State. have conferred
great honror upon Minnesota and Justly merit
| the thanks Of every citizen thereof.
Hon. Fl. Fl siblsy offered the follow
ing resolution, which was adopted.
Reso!rtd. That the Democracy Of NIinucso-
to will resist to the last extremity, any attemp.
at intervention by forign powers in our domes~
| tic affairs