The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-01-23
TyDIiyi DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

firmly believing that the Union and the Corstitu
ton can be preserved alone by the restoration of
that party TO power invite all the Union men
throughout the land to unite with us in sustann
its organization and carrying out its principles.
Therefore,
Resolsed, l That reaffrm 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 rnalterablv attached 10 the
Constitution, by which the Union of these States
was formed and established : and that faithful
observance of its principles alone continue the
existence of the Union, and the permanent happi
ness of the people
g. That the present civil war has mainly
suited from the long continued unwSe, and ia
natical agi taton in the North, of the question OF
domestic slavery. the consequent organization Of
a geographical party. guided by the sectional plat
forms adopted at Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia.
and Chicago. and the deveonment thereby of
sectional hate and jealousy, producing (as had
long been foreseen and predicted ny us) its coun
terpart in the South of ST cession, disunion. and
armed resistance TO the General Government, and
terminating in bloody strife between those who
should have been forever bound together by fra
tcrnal bonds thus bringing upon the whole coun-
try a calam y which are now to meet as loyal
citizens wing for the adoption of that mode of
settlement best calculated 10 again restore union
and harmony.
4. 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 measur which would have Sc
cured the border slave States to the Union. and
harty co operation their part in all constitution
al and legal measures to procure return of the
more Southern States to their allegiance, the Re-
publican party assumed fearful responsibility,
and acted in total disregard OF the best interc sts
of the whole country.
hat the Dlrty In DOver had shown tho
same desire to settle. by amicable adjustment,
internal dis> >ensiOnS before hoStties had actually
commenced, that the Administration has recently
exhibited to avoid a with ancient enemy.
Great Britain, confidently believe that peace
and harmony would nov reign throughout all our
borders.
g. That the maintenance of the Union upon
the princinlcs of the Federal Constitution should
be the controlling object of all who profess loyal
" TO the Government-and in our judgment this
purpose can only he accomplished, by the aSceE-
dency Of n Union party in the South States,
which shall. BY counter revolution, dsplace those
who control and direct the present rebellion. That
no effort 10 create or sustain such party can be
sue essfu which is not based upon definite set
tlement of the questions Mt issue between the two
sections: and VIC 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.
-strated its inability to conduct the Government
through its present difficulties
& That We are utterly opposed 20 the twin
heresies, Northern sectionasm and Southern Sc
cession, inimica to the Constitution and that
freemen, as they value the boon of civil liberty
and the peace of the country, should frown indig-
nantlF upon them.
9. That IN this national emergency the Oenoc-
rae, of Indiana, banishing all feeling Of passion
and resentment. viii recollect only their duty
the whole country; that this should 10, be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subug ton.
nor for the purpose of Overlr2wing or interfering
with the rights nstit tons OF the States. ont to
defend and maintain the supremacy of the Con-
stitution. and to preserve the Union with eli the
dignity equality AID rights of the several States
unimpa.red; and that soon these objects are
accomplished the war ought to cease.
10. That viii sustain. with all our energies.
a war for .he maintenance of the Constitution. and
of the integrity Of the Union under the Constitution;
but we ara opposed to war for the enamel alton
of the negroes or the subjugatiOn Of the Southern
States.
IL. That the purposes avowed and advocated
10y the Northern q d,suniOnsts, to lbera'e and arm
the negro slaves is a disgrace to the age cacula-
ted to retard the suppression of the rebellion and
meets our unqualiged condemnation.
~. That the total dsregerd of the writ of Ia
Jeas corpus bv the authorities over us and the
seizure and imprisonment of the citizens of loyal
States where the iudciar is in full operation,
HitSout warrant or law and without ASSIGNING any
cause or giving to the party arrested opDOrtu-
nifty Of defense, are fragrant iOat0nS of the Con.
stitution ami most alarming 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 life liberty and
property.
l3. That the liberty of speech and of the rress
are guaranteed to the people by the Constitution
hIlt . de. ft tI,a
rights they are inestmable to the citizen and
formidable to tyrants only. And the attempt.
which have been made since present unfortu-
nate troubles. to muzze the press and stAe free
discussion, exercises of despotic power acains,
which freedom revolts and which can not be tole
rated without converting frcemen into slaves
IL. That the seizure of Mason and Slidell on
board neutral vessel, the high seas was
either in accordance with international law, and
50 legal; or else in violation of such law, and SC
illegal. Ii TIE former, lament that our nation
has been humiliated by their surrender under q
threat il the latter, it was the duty of the Ad
ministration at once TO have dsavowed the act o
their officer, and instead Of incarceratine the cap
tlves III Fort w arren, to have Immediately re-
paired the wrong by placing them, IL far as prac
ticable, IN the same condition in which that off
found them. In either event, the action o
the Administration vas vacillatino and COW
ardy and degrading to the dignity of great nation
15- That the action Of the Republican party
as manifested in the partisan character of all AN
pOintments of the Administration to civil office
and, in holding party caucusses by the Republica,
members of Congress for the purpose ofimpressn.
upon the legislative action of that body the peculi
dogmas of that party, have demonstrated tn,
their professions of "sacriicing party platform.
and party organizations, upon .he altar of thei
country are bu. 20 many hypocritical and falls
pretenses by which they hope to dupe the unwar
into their support and we warn all loyal person.
they love their country, not to be deceive
thereby
10, That the disclosures made by the invest
eating committee in Congress of the anormou
frauds that have staiked into the army and nav
departments, duplicating the heads Of those dc
partments In a contrivance at, if not an actua
participation in a system Of corruption, and
yhic, our brave soldiers have been defrluded &
their proper supplies, ana our Government threat
ened with bankruptcy, demands thorough inve,
tgation into all our expenditures, both State an
National, and that speedy and marked oxampl
be made OF all such "birls of prey" who, takin
advantage of the necessity of our country, hay
fed aid fattened upon public plunder.
H. That the meritorious conduct of the Ind
ana troops, in every battlefield where victory Ia
perched upon the national banner has filled tr
people OF this State with the highest gratitude
her gallant sons, and that we send our best wish,
NM IL. Al