The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-03-15
The Indiana PIatForm.

the Democratic members OF our state
Legislature who endorse Mr.. LincOln's
Administration
WHEREAS, The Democratic party hav-
ing, from the date of its organization, been
in favor of the maintenance of the Union
and the preservation Of the Constitution,
and seeing in the present condition of
the country the deplOrable effects Of .
departure from its time honored and coli.
servative principles and the triumph of
sectionalism and firmly believing that
the Union and Constitution can be pre-.
served alone by the restoration of that
party to power, we invite all true Union
men throughout the land to unite with us
in sustaining IFS orga1;E1tiaa &ad carry
ing out its principles.
/. ResOLced, That we affirm and in.
dorse the political principles that from
time to time have been put forth by the
National Conventions Of the Democratic
party.
2. That we are unalterably attached to
the Constitution by which the union of
Of The States was 70, med aY6 established,
and that faithful observance Of its prin-
ciples can alone continue the existence Of
the Union and the permanent happiness
Of the people.
8. That the present civil war has mainly
resulted from the long continued, unwiSe,
and ianatical agitation in the North Of the
3.~:sstioo eC dsWestic slavery tEe oo0se-\
quent organization ofa geographical party,
guided by the sectional plat forms adopted
~ -~-t---.4 SRlsSues, .ki1ds
Chicago, and the development thereby of
sectional hate and jealousy /; producing
las had long been foreseen and predicted
by us) its counterpart in the South of Sc.
cession, disunion, and armed resistance to
the general Government, and terminating
in = bloody strife between those who
should have been forever bound together
by fraternal bonds, thus bringing upon
ths whole country a calamity which we
are now to meet as loyal citizens striving
for the adoption Of that mode Of settlement
best calculated to again restore union and
harmony.
4. That in rejecting all propositions
likely to result in satisfactory adjust
ment of the matters in dispute between
the North and South, and especially those
measures which would have secured the
border slave States to the Union, and
hearty cooperation on their part in all
constitutional legal measures to procure
return of the more southern States to
their allegiance, the Republican party as
sumed 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 same desire to settle by AMIGA
BILE adjustments our internal dissensions
before hOStilities had actually commenced,
that the Administration has recently ex-
hibited to avoid u war with our ancient
enemy, Great Britain, We confidently be-
lieve that peace and harmony would now
reign throughout all our borders.
8. That the maintenance Of the Union,
upon the principles of the Federal Con-
stitution, should be the controlling object
of all who profess loyalty to the Govern
ment, and, in our judgment, this purpose
can only be accomplished by the ascend
ency Of Union party in the Southern
States, which shall, by counter revolu
ton, displace those who control and direct
the present rebellion. That no effort to
create or sustain such party can be sue
ceSsful which is not based upon definite
settlement Of the questions at issue be-
tween the two sections; and we therefore,
demand that some such settlement be
made additional constitutional guaran-
tees, either initiated by act of Congress
or through the medium of National
Convention.
Z. That the Republican party has fully
demonstrated its inability to conduct the
Government through its present difficult
ties.
g. That we are utterly opposed to the
twin hcresies, Northern Sectionalsm and
Southern Secession, as inimical to the
Constitution, and that freemen, as they
value the boon of civil liberty and, the
peace Of the country, should frOwn indig-
nantly upon them.
8. That in this national emergency, the
Democracy of Indiana, banishing all feel
ing Of passion and resentment, will recol-
lect only their duty to the whole country
that this war should not be waged in the
spirit Of conquest or subjugation, nor for
the purpose of ovcrthrowing or interfe-
ring with the rights or institutions Of the
States, but to defend and maintain the
supremacy of the Constitution, and to
preserve the Union with all the dignity,
equality, and rights of the several States
unimpaired and that as soon as these
objects are accomplished, the war ought
to cease.
10. That ne will sustain, with all our
energies, q war for the maintenance of the
Constitution, and Of the integrity Of the
Union, under the Constitution, but we are
opposed to war for the emancipation of
the negroes, or the subjugation of the
Southern States. That we recognize no
higher law than the Constitution of our
country, which is the palladium Of our
civil rights and we deCounce all viola
tiOns Of it as usurpations of arbitrary
power, which must certainly lead, if ac-
quiesced in by the people, to the over
throw of their liberties.
IL. That the purpose avowed and ad-
vocated by Northern disunionists to libe-
rate and arm the negro slaves, is uncon-
insulting to loyal citizens, a
disgrace to the age, is calculated to retard
the suppression Of the rebellion, and
meets our unqualified condemnation.
IL. That the total disregard Of the writ
of habeas corpus, by those in authority
over US, and the seizure and imprison-
ment Of citizens of loyal States, where
the judiciary is in full operation, without
warrant of law, and without assigning
any cause, or giving to the party arrested
any opportunity of defense, are fragrant
violations of the Constitution, and most
alarming acts Of usurpatiOn Of power,
which should receive the stern rebuke Of
every lover of his country, and Of every
man who prizes the security and bless
ings of life, liberty and prosperity.
IS. That liberty of speech and Of the
press are guaranteed the people by the
Constitution and none but a usurpcr