The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-07-24
INDIANA DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

ton can be preserved alone by the restoration of
that party to power. we invite MI the Union men
throughout the land to unite with in sustaining
its organization and carrying out its principles
Therefore,
Resoired, ]. Tha! we reaiiirm and endorse the
political principles that from time to time have
been put forth by the National Conventions Of
the Democratic party.
That we are unalterablv attached to the
Constitution, by which the Union of these States
was formed and established and that faithful
observance ofits principles can alone continue the
existence of the Union, and the permanent happl-
ness of the people.
2. That the present civil war has mainly re-
suited from the long continued, unwise, and ia
natical agitation, in the North of the question OF
domestic slavery, the consequent organization OF
geographical party, guided by the sectional plat
forms adopted at Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
and Chicago, and the development thereby of
sectional hate and jealousy, producing Gas had
long been foreseen and predicted by us) its coun
terpart in the South of secession, disunion. and
armed resistance TO the General Government, and
terminating in bloody strife between those who
should have been forever bound together by fra
ternal bonds. Thus bringing upon the whole coun-
try a calamity which we are now to meet as loyal
citizens striving for the adoption of that mode of
settlement best calculated 10 again restore union
and harmony.
a. That in rejecting all propositions likely to
! result in satisfactory adjustment of the matters
in dispute between the North and the South, and
especially those measures which would have
cured the border slave States to the Union. and
harty CO operation their part in all constitution
al and legal measures to procure a return of the
more Southern States TO their allegiance, the Re.
publican party assumed fearful responsibility,
and acted in total disregard Of the best interests
of the whole country.
5. That if the party in power had shown the
Jo,; bv 10 adj
internal disensions before hostilites had actually
commenced, that the Administration has recently
exhibited to avoid n with our ancient enemy,
Great Britain, we confidently believe that peace
and harmony would now reign throughout all our
borders.
g. That the maintenance of the Union upon
the principles of the Federal Constitution should
be the controlling object of all who profess loyal
ty to the GOyernment--and in our judgment this
purpose can only be accomplished. by the ascen-
dency Of a Union party in the Southern States.
which shall. by counter revolution, diSplace those
who control and direct the present rebellion. That
no effort to create sustain such party be
snccessful which is not based upon definite set
/ tement Of the questions at issue between the two
! sections; and We therefore demand that some such
settlement be made by additional constitutional
| guaranty, either initiated by act Of Congress or
through the medium of National Convention.
:. That the Republican party has fully demon
through It's present difficulties.
| g. That wa are utterly opposed to the twin
heresies. Northern sectiOnalism and Southern se-
ce.siou as inimical TO the Constitution and that
frecmen, as thcy value the boon Of civil liberty
and the peace of the country. should frown indg-
nintly upon them.
8. That in this national emergency the Oemoc.
rae, of Indiana, banishing all feeling of passion
and resentment. will recollcct only their duty to
the whole country; that this war should not be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subugation.
nor for the purpose OF overthr2wing or interfering
with the rights institutions of the States, out to
defend and maintain the supremacy of the Con
stitution. and to preserve the Union with ell the
dignity, equality AID rights Of the several States
unimpared and that as soon as these objects are
accomplished the war ought to cease.
TO- That we will sustain. with all our energies.
a wa, for .he maintenance of the Constitution, and
of the integrity of the Union under the Constitution;
but we arc opposed to a war for the emancipation
of the negroes. or the subugation of the Southern
States
II. That the purposes avowed and advocated
by the Northern disunionsts to liberate and arm
the negro slaves, is disgrace to the age cacula-
ted to retard the suppression of the rebellion and
meets our unqualiged condemnation.
10 That the total disregerd Of the writ Of ha.
beas corpus by the authorities over us and the
seizure and Imprisonment Of the citizens Of loyal
States where the judciar, is in full operation,
without warrant or law and without assigning any
cause or giving to the party arrested any opportu-
nifty of defense fragrant violations of the Con
stitution and most alarming acts of usurpat;on OF
power which should receive the stern rebuke OF
every lover of his country and of every man who
prizes the security and blessings OF lfe liberty and
property.
l3 That the liberty Of speech and of the press
are guaranteed TO the people by the Constitution
and none but usurper would deprive them of these
formidable to tyrants only. And the attempt,
which have been made since our present unfortu
nate troubles, to muzzle the press and stifle free
discussion, are exercises Of despotic power aQains
, which freedom revots and which can not be tole
rated without converting freemcn into slaves.
IA. That the seizure of Mason and Sldell or
: board neutral vessel, on the high seas wa:
either in accorda nee with international law. anf
so legal; or else in violation of such law and or
illegal. If the former, we lament that our natior
has been humiated by their surrender, under q
I" threat if the latter. it the duty of the Ad
ministration at once to have dIsavowed the act o
their officer, and instead of incarcerating the can
Y tives in Fort Warren, to have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them, as far as prac
ticable, in the same condition in which that off
= Ger found them. In either event. the action q
the Administration was vacillating and COW
ardy and degrading to the dignity of great nation
Is. That the action of the Republican party
: pointments of the Administration 20 civil office
= and, in hold;ag party by the Republican
: members Of Congress for the purpose ofimpressn
upon the legislative action of that body the pecua
dogmas of that party, have demonstrated tina
their professions Of Sacrificing party platforms
and party organizations, upon the altar Of thei
cous.ry," are but 30 many hypocritical and falls
pretenses by which they hope to dupe the unwar
n !, into their support and we warn all loyal persons
!, = as they love their country, not to be deceive
, thereby
= J6, That the disclo ures made by the invest
eating committee in Congress of the enormou
frauds that have stalked into the army and nav
departments, duplicating the heads of those dc
partments in contrivance at, if not an actus
X participation in a system of corruption, and j
,r which our brave soldiers have been defrauded G
: their proper supplies, and our Government threa
ened with bankruptcy. demands thorough inve,
tigation into all our expenditures. both State an
National and that speedy and marked oxampl
be made of all such "birds of prey who, takin
is advantage of the necessity of our country, hav
fed ard fattened upon public piunder.
Il II. That the meritorious conduct Of the Ind
ana troops, in every battlefield where victory hs
perched upon the national banner, has filed I'll