The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-07-10
PLATFORM OF THE DEMOC-
RACY OF OHIO.


PREAMBLE.
The Democratic party has ever been, and
yet is, o law abiding party. II asks nothing
but its rights under the Constitution and the
laws. It resorts to no violation Of either; it
couutenances no violation of either. 1t has q
right to all the guarantees of public and pri-
vate liberty, and of property, contained in our
fundamental laws, and it will surrender not
one of them. 1t has the right to discuss pub
lie measures, and will discuss them. 1t has
the right to propose and advocate that policy
which it deems best for the nation, and it will
exercise that right. 1t has right to have its
policy passed upon by the people at peaceable
= and untYammeled elections, and it will main
tain that right. If found in minority 1t
yields obedience to all lawful rule of the ma
jority: if it be the majority itself, it claims
that its lawful will be respected. Whether in
majority or minority, it obeys all laws that
ae in force Those that it dislikes, it seeks
10 overthrow, not by violence but by leglt-
mate repeal. Those that it proposes, it seeks
to carry not by force but by legal enactment,
And what it does in all these respects, 1t de-
mands, and has a right to demand, that all
others shall do. They owe the same obed-
ence to the Constitution and the laws that
Democrats owe. They have the same interest
to maintain free government, to protect liber-
ty, to be secure in their houses, persons and
property, that Democrats have. 1t is neither
their interest nor ours that despotism or anar-
chy should prevail and if they wish to avert
both, let them see to it in time that they give
no occasion for either. We will do our duty,
let them remember to do theirs.
In view of the circumstances that have
brought US together, we hereby resolve:
RESOLUTIONS.
/. That the will of the people is the founda-
ton of all free government That to give ef-
feet to this will, free thought, free speech and
free press ure absolutely Indispensable.
Without free discussion, there is no certainty
of sound judgment; without sound judgment
there can be no wise government
2. That it is an inherent and Constitutional
right Of the people to discuss all measures of
their government, and to approve or disap-
prove as to their best judgment seems right.
That they have like right to propose and ad'
vocate that policy which in their Judgment is
best, and to argue and vote against whatever
policy seems to them to violate the Copstitu.
ton, to impair their liberties, or to be detri-
mental TO their welfare,
3. That these and all other rights, guaran-
teed to them BY their Constitutions, are their
rights in time of war as well rs in time OF
peace; and of far more value and necessity in
war than in peace. For in peace liberty, Sc.
curity and property are seldom endangered
IN war, they are ever in peril.
4. That We now say to all whom it may con-
cern, not by way Of threat, but calmly and
firmly, that we will not surrender these rights
nor submit to their forcbe violation. We will
obey the laws ourselves, and all others must
obey them.
5. That there is a manifest difference be-
tween the Administration of the Government
and the Government itself The Government
consists of the civil and political institutions
created by the Constitution, and to it the peo'
pie owe allegiance the Administration are
but the agents of the people, subject to their
approval or condemnation, according to the
merit or demerit of their acts
6 That in the exercise of the right to differ
with the Federal Executive, we enter our SOL
emn protest against the proclamation of the
President of the United States, dated the first
day Of january, one thousand eight hundrct
and sixty three, by which he assumes to eman
Clpdl6 SluNc5 III CGTlulu DLdNto Wv S"'h
to be unwise, unconstitutional, and void.
Z. That we declare our determined opposi
ton to system Of emancipation by the States
upon compensation to be made out ofthe treas
ury of the United States, as burdensome upol
the people, unjust in its very nature, an
wholly without warrant Of the Constitution.
8. That we declare that the power whiC
has recently been assumed by the President O
the United States, whereby under the guise O
military necessity he has proclaimed and eS
tended-or asserts the right to proclaim or e1
tend-martial law over States where war doe
not exist, and has suspended the writ of habec
corpus, is unwarranted by the Constitution
and its tendency is TO subordinate civil to mi
itary authority, and to subvert our system
free government
9. That we deem it proper further to declar
that we, together with the truly loyal peopl
of the State, would hail with pleasure and d.
light any manifestations Of desire on the pal
of the seeded States to return to their alleg
ance to the Government of the Union, and
such event we would cordially and earnestl
cooperate with them in the restoration {
peace and the procurement of such propC
guarantees rs would give security to all thei
interests and rights.
10. That the soldiers composing our armit
merit the warmest thanks Of the nation. The
country called and nobly did they respond.
Living, they shall know nations gratitude
wounded, a nations care and dying, they sha
live in our memories, and monuments shall
raised to teach posterity to honor the patriO
and heroes who offered their lives at the
country's altar Their widows and orphal
shall be adopted by the nation, to be watch
over and cared for as objects truly worthy
nations guardianship.
IL. That Ohio will adhere to the Constit
ton and the Union as the BEST it may be I
last hope Of popular freedom, AMI for {
wrongs which may have been committed
evils which may exist, will seek redress, und
the Constitution and within the Union, by t
peaceful but powerful agency of the suttral
of free people.
IL. That we hail with pleasure and hope
manifestations Of conservativesentime amo
the people of the Northern States in th
elections, and regard the same as the earn
of good purpose upon their part to coop
ate with all other loyal citizens in giving
curiety to the rights Of every section q
maintaining the Union and the Constitution
they we're ordained by the founders Of the
public. ...,,
13. That whenever it becomes practicable
obtain convention Of all or Of three four
of the States, such body should be conve
for the purpose of proposing such amendme
90 the Federal Constitution as experience
proYed to be necessary to maintain that inst
inent in the spirit and meaning intended by