The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-01-07
esa The Republican Platform. adopt

> gStA. l. hc hepuUiiCdH L IdIlOTnl, duupb-
ed at the National Convention, held at
Philadelphia, June II, 1856"
s'This Convention of Delegates, assem-
bled in pursuance of call addressed to
the people of the United States, without
regard to past political differences or
divisions, who are in favor ofrestoring the
condition of the Federal Government to
the principles of Washington and Jelfsr-
son, do resolve as follows;
l. ''Resolvea, That the maintenance Of
the principles promulgated in the DecIa-
ration of Independence, and embodied in
the Federal Constitution, is essential to
the preservation of our Republican insti-
tutions, and that the Federal Constitution,
the rightes, of the States, and the Union
OF the States, shall be preserved.
2" Rcsofrcd, That with our Republican
fathers, We hold it to be self-evident
truth, that all men are endowed with the
inalienable right to life, liberty and the
parsait of happiness, and that the primary
objece and design of our Federal Govern
ment was to secure these rights to all per-
sons under its exclusive jurisdiction.
3. 8 Resoircd, That while the Constitu-
ton Of the United States was ordained and
established in order to form more perfect
| Union, establish justices insure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common de-
tense, promote the general welfare. and
secure the oless n 3 # liberty. and contains
ample provisions Tor the protection OF the
life, liberty and property of every citizen
the dearest c,n tituti.nal rights OF III.
people have been irauduiMtly ' anl violent.
| iy taken from them; their homes have been
Invaded 10y armed force; SPURIOUS and pre-
tended judicial and executive, off .ers have
been act over them. by wio>c usurped au-
thority, sustained by the military power
Of the Government, tyramical ait, uneon-
stitutional laws (and prodamation>) have
baen enforced; the r; hit oiaecused persons
to speedy and puNic tral by as Impair
tial jury. has been denies; the right otl:h'
people to, be secure in ther houses. paper
and effects against unreasonable ss,arcl
and seizure have been vibiated; they hav,
been deprived of life, lebsrty ana pi iopert.
without due process of Law: the freedom o
speech and ofthe press has been abridged
murders, robberies and arsons have bee
instigated, and encourages, and the often
dsrs have gone unpunishsd; that all thes
things have been done with the-knowledse
sanction and procurement of-thc spTeSen
National Administration, and that for thi
high Grim against the Constitution, tn
, Union, and humanity. we arraign the Ao
ministration, the President, his adviser,
agents. supporters and apologists, brior
the country, ard before the world, an
that it is our fixed purpose TO bring tn
perpetrators of these atrorious outrage
and their accomplices toa sure and condg
punishment hereafter.
! f. "Resoised, That the lighway man
| plea that might makes right. would brin
f, shame and dishonor upon any Governmei
or people that gave it their sanction.
5. " Resoised, That We invite the adj Tia
! ton and cooperation of the men of a
| parties. however differing from US in othe
respects. in support of tie principles here
5 in declared; and believing that the spiri
6 ofour institutions, as we'll as the Consti
tuition ofour country. guarantees libert
f of conscience and equality of rights anon
, citizens, we oppose all legislation impair
ing their security