M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1863-07-16
Platform OfiIhe Democracy OF
Ohio,
PREAMBLE,

lHc DclhoCldlfS Idfky NdS ever uFeli anu
yet is, a law-abiding party. 1t asks nothing
but its nights under the Constitution and the
laws. Ii resorts to no violation of either;
it countenanCes no violation of either. II
has right to all guarantees of public and
private liberty, and of property, containetin
our fundamental laws and il will'suHender
not one OF them. 1t has the right to discuss
public measures, and will discuss them II
has the right to propose and advocate that
policy which il deems best for the nation,
and it will exercise that right. 1t has the
right to have its policy passed upon by the
people al peaceable and untrammeled eleC-
lions, and It will maintain that right. II
found in minority, it yields 0bedieuce to
all lawful rule of the majority; il it be the
majority itself, ii claims thatits lawful viii
be respected. Whether in a majority or
minorlty,i it obeys all laws that are in force.
These that it dislikes it seeks to overthrow
not by violence. but by legitimate repeal,
Those that it proposes, il seeks to carry, not
by force, but by legal enectments. And
what it does in all these respects, it de-
mands and has rightto demand, that all
others shall do. They owe the same obed-
ience to the Constitution and the laws that
Democrats owe They have the same ill
terest to maintain free government, to pro.
tecI liberty, to be secure in their houses,
persons aud property, that Democrats have.
1t is neither their interest nor ours that des-
potism or anarchy should prevail; and if they
wish to avert both, let them see to it in time
that they give no occasion Tor either We
will do our duty; let them remember to dc
heirs,
In view OF the circumstances that have
brought US together, we hereby resolve:
RESOLUTIONS.
/. That the will Of the people is thC
foundation Of all free governments. Tha
togive effect TO this viii, free thought lrel
speech and free press are absolutely indis
pensable. Without free discussion there il
no certainty OF sound Judgment; without
sound judgment there can be no wise gov
eminent.
2. That it is an inherent and constitu,
tional right oEthe people 10 discuss Ill mea'
sures OF theft Government, and to approve
OF disapprove, as to their best judgment
seems right. That they have righttO pro-
pose and advocate that policy which in THEN
judgment is best, and to argue and vote
against whatever policy seems to them It
violate the Constitution, to impair their lib
critics, or be detrimental tO1heir welfare.
3. That these and all other rights, guar
anteed to them by their constitutions, are
their rights in time ofwar as well as in time
OF peace; and ol far more value and necessi-
ty in war than in peace. Form peace liber
ty, security AID property are seldom endan
gered; in war they are ever in peril.
4. That we now say 10 all whom it may
concern, not by way Of threat, but calmly
and firmly, thatwe will not surrender ,hest
rights nos submit to their lorcibe violation
We will obey the laws, ourselves, and al
Others must obey them.
5. That there is manifest difference be
tween the Administration OF the Govern
.ment and the Government itself. The Gov
eminent consists OF civil and political insti
tutions created by the Constitution, and t.
it the people owe allegiance. The Admin,
tration are but the agents Of The people
subject to their apwoyalor condemnation
according to the melit or demerit oftheir
acts. .t...t.. '.t. i..3-. ..
6. That in the exercise of the right to
differ with the Federal Executive, we enter
our solemn protest against The proclamation
Of the President Of the United States, uated
the first day oiTIanNry one thousand eight
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.
ThaN ,laoln,a 4
position TO a system of emancipation by the
Stutes, upon compensation TO be made out
of the Treasury OF the United States. as
burdensome upon the people, unjust in its
very nature, and wholly without warrant OF
the Constitution.
5. That we declare thai the power which
has recently been assumed BY the President
OF the United States, whereby, under guise
of military necessity, he has proclaimed and
extended--or asserts the right to proclaim
d. or extend--martial law over States where
war does not exist, and has suspended the
writ OF HABEAs CORPUS, is unwananted by
the Constitution, and its tendency is to sui
ordinate civil to military au thorty, and tC
subyert our system OF free government.
9. That we deem it proper further 10 de.
clair that we, together with the truly loyal
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 Government
Of the Union, and in such event we wouI,
cordially and earnestly cooperate with then
in the restoration OF peace and the procure
ment Of such proper guarantees as woult
give security TO all their interests anJ
rights. z
10. That the soldiers composing our m
mics merit the warmest thanks of the ma
tion. The country called and nobly di,
they respond. Living, they shall know IA.
tion's gratitude, wounded, a nations care
and dying they shall live in our memories
and monuments shall be raised to teach pos
.terity 10 honor the patriots and heroes who
offered their lives at their country's alter
Their widows and orphans snail be adopted
by the nation, 10 be watched over and cared
for as objects truly worthy nations guard
ianship.
IL. That Ohio will adhere to The Con.
siitution and the Union as the best, it NAV
be the last, hope of popular freedom, and for
all wrongs which may have been committed
or evils which may exist, will seek redress
under the Constitution and within the Uni
on, by the peaceful but powerful agency OF
the suffruges Of free people.
II. Thatwe hail with pleasure aud hope
r r u