M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1863-07-09
Platform OF the Democracy Of
Ohio.
PREAMBLE.

FkkAMbLE.
The Democratic party has ever been, ana
yet is, a law-abiding party. 1t asks nothing
but its rights under the Constitution and the
laws. II resorts to no violation Of either;
it countenanCes no violation OF either. II
has right 10 all guarantees of public ana
private liberty, and of property, con tanned in
our Fundamental laws, and ii will surrender
not one of them. 1t has the right to discuss
public measures, and will discuss them 1t
has the right to propose and advocate that
policy which il deems best for the nation,
aud it will exercise thai right. 1t has the
right to have its policy passed upon by the
people at peaceable and uRtrammeed elec.
sions, and It will maintsin that right. 1t
iound in minority, it yields obedience to
all lawful rule of the majority; il it be the
majority itself, it claims thatits lawful will
be respected. Whether in majority or
miaority, it obeys all laws that are in force.
These that it disIikes it seeks to overthrow
not by violence, but By a legitimate repeal
Those that it proposes, it seeks to carry, not
by force, but BY legal enectments. And
what it does in all these respects, 1t de-
mands and HAS right TO demand, that all
Others shall do. They owe the same obed-
fence to the Constitution and the laws that
Democrats owe, They have the same ILL
deTest TO maintain free government, to pro-
tecl liberty, to be secure in their houses,
persons and property, that Democrats have.
1t s neither their interest nor ours that des-
potism or anarchy should prevail; and if they
wish to avert both let them see 10 it in time
that they give no occasion for either. We
wilde cur duty; let them remember to DO
'heirs.
In view Of the circumstances that have
'rought US together, we hereby resolve;
RESOLUTIONS.
/. That the will Of the people is The
:Oundation of all free governments. Tha
% give effect to this viii, free thought fret
speech and flee press are absolutely inds
penssble. Withou! free discussion there il
no certainty Of sound judgment; without
sound judgment there can be ne wise gov
eminent
9. That it is an inherent and constilu
tional right Of the people to discuss all mea
Bures OF their Government, and to approve
oY dsapprove, as to their best judgmen
seems tight. That they have a rightto pro
pose and advocate that policy which in thei
judgment is best, and to argue and rot
against whatever policy seems to them t,
violate the COnstitut on, to Impair their lib
critics, or be detrimental TO their welfare.
8. That these and all other rights, guar
anteod to Them by their constitutions, ar
their rights in time ofwdr S well as IN TIM
ofpeace; and oi tar more value and neCessi'
ty in war than in peace. Form peace liber
ty, security aGd property are seldom endan
gered; in war they are ever in peril.
d. That we now say to all whomit ma
concern, not by way of threat, but cami
and firmly, that we will not surrender ,hes
rights nor submit 10 their iorcibIe violation
We will obey the laws, ourselves, and al
Others must obey them.
s. That there is manifest difference b
tween the Administration OF the Govern
ment aud the Government itself. The Gov
eminent consists of civil and political insti
tutions created by the Constitution, and t
1t the people owe allegiance. The Admin!
tration are but the agents OF the people
subject to their approval or condemnation
according TO the melit or demerit of ftheil
acts.
6. That in the exercise Of the right t
differ with the Federal Executive, we ente
our solemn protest against the proclamation
of the President Of the United States, ,.aateC
the first day OF January one thousand eigh
hundred and sixty three by which he as
sumes to emanCipate slaves in certain
States, holding the same to be unwise un
constitutional and void.
2. That we declare our determined op
position TO system Of emancipation by ;ht
States, upon compensation TO be made ou
of the Treasury Of the United States. al
burdensome upon the people, unjust in it
very nature, and wholly without warrant o
the Constitution.
s. That We declare that the power whicl
has recently been assumed BY the Presiden
of the United States, whereby, under guis,
of military necessity, he has proclaimed ant
eItsnded--or asserts the right to proclaim
or extend-martal law over States wher
war does not exist, and has suspended tht
writ ofHABEAs CORPUS, is unwananted b,
the Constitution, and its tendency is to sui
ordinate civil to military au thority, and Il
subEeFt our system OF free government.
9. That we deem it proper further to de
clair that we, together with the truly loya
people Of the States, would hail with pleas
ure and deligh. any manifestations OF de
sire on the part Of the seeded States to re
turn to their allegiance to the Gorernmen
of the Union, and IN such event we woul
cordially and earnestly cooperate with then
in the restoration Of peace and the procure
ment Of such proper guarantees as woul
give security 10 all their interests an
rights.
10. That the soldiers composing our or
mics merit the warmest thanks of the ma
ton. The country called and nobly di
they respond. Living, they shall know ma
tons gratitude, wounded, nations care
and dying they shall live in our memories
and monuments shall be raised to teach pos
terity to honor the patriots and heroes VIII
offered their lives at their country's alter
Their widows and orphans shal be adopte
BY the nation, to be watched over and care
for as objects truly worthy nations guard
ianship.
bill. That Ohio will adhere to the Con
stitution and the Union as the best, it ma
be the last, hope Of popular freedom, and fC
all wrongs which may have beep committe
or evils which may exist, will seek redres.
under the Constitution and within the Uni
on, by the peaceful but powerful agency
the sufrages Of free people.
IL. Tbatwe hail with pleasure and hoE
the manifestations of the conservative ser