The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-08-14
PLATFORM OF THE DEMOC-
RACY OF OHIO.
PREAMBLE.

PREAMBLE.
The Democratic party has ever been, and
yet is, q law abiding party. II asks nothing
but its rights under the Constitution and the
laws, 1t resorts TO no violation Of either; it
countenances no violation of either. 1t has a
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 o right to have its
policy passed upon by the people at peaceable
and untrnmmelIed elections, and it will main
tain that right. If found in minority it
yields obedience to NIL lawful rule Of the ma
jority; if it be the majority itself, it claims
that its lawful will be respected Whether in
mojority or minority, it obeys all laws that
are in force. Those that it dislikes, it seeks
10 overthrow, not by violence, but by legiti-
mate repeal. Those that it proposes, it s, eks
10 carry not by force but by legal enactment.
And what it does in all these respects, it de-
mands, and has right to demand, that all
others shall do. They owe the same obedi
ence to tho Constitution aud 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-
tion Of all free government. That to give ef-
feet to this will, free thought, free speech and
free press are absolutely indispensable. e.
Without Tree 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 10 approve or disap-
prove rs to their best judgment seems right.
That they have like right to propose and adj
vocnte taat policy which in theit judgment is
best, and to argue and vote against whatever
policy seems to them to violate the COpstitu-
,ion, 10 impair their liberties, or to be drtri-
mental 10 their welfare.
g. That these and MI other rights, guaran-
teed to them by their Constitutions, are their
rights in time of war as well as 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 I;
in war, they are ever in peril.
4. That we now say to all whom 1t may con.
Germ not by way Of threat, but calmly and
firmly. that We will not surrender these rights.
nor submit to their forcible violation. We will
obey she laws ourselves, and all others must
obey them.
5. That there is n 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, md 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.
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 hundred
and sixty three, by which he assumes to eman.
cipate slaves in certain States holding the same
t0 be unwse, unconstitutional, and void.
7. That we declare our determined opposi-
ton to system of emanci patton BY the States
upon compensation to be made out OF the treas
ury of the United States, as burdensOme upon
the people, unjust in its very nature, and
wholly without warrant of the Constitution.
8. That we declare that the power which
has recently been assumed by the President Of
the United States, whereby under the guise Of
military necessity he has proclaimed and ex'
tended--or asserts the right to proclaim or ex
tend--martal law over States where war doe:
not exist, aud has suspended the writ of habca
corpus, is unwarranted by the Constitution
and its tendency is to subordinate civil to mil
itary authority, and 10 subvert our system o.
free government.
g. That we deem il proper further to declar
that we, together with the truly loyal peopl
of the State, would bail with pleasure and de
light any manifestations of desire on the par
of the seeded States to return to their allegi
auce to the Government of the Union, and il
such event we would cordially and earnestl.
cooperate with them in the restoration o
peace and the procurement Of such propc
guarantees as would give security to all theli
interests and rights.
10. That the soldiers composing our armie
merit the warmest thanks Of the nation. Thei
country called and nobly did they respond
Living, they shall know q nations gratitude
wounded, anatioI' care; and dying, they shal
live in cur memories, and monuments shall b
raised to teach posterity to honor the patriot
aud heroes who offered their lives at thei
country's altar. Their widows and orphan
shall be adopted by the nation, to be watche
over and cared for as objects truly worthy
nations guardianship. .- .-s
IL. That Ohio will adhere to the Constitu
tion and the Union as the best, it may be th
last hope Of popular freedom, AMI for o.
wrongs which may have been committed o
evils which may exist, will seek redress, unde
the Constitution and within the Union by tn
peaceful but powerful agency of the suffrag'
Of q free people. =. r........ o. j..
II. That we hail with pleasure and hope th
Manifestations Of conservative sentiment anon
lhe people of the Northern States in the
elections, and regard the same as the earnet
Of COED purpose upon their part to cooper
ate with all other loyal citizens in giving Sc
curieiy 10 the rights of every seciOn an
maintaining the Union and the Constitution q
tlley we're ordained by the founders of the RI
public. -.a, sv ., ~
10. That Whenever Il becomes pTcticable
obtain n conyehtion Of allror Of three fourtl
of the St;ites. such body should be convene
for,ths parpsyeef proposing such amtnfmen
70 the Federal Consultation rs experience HI
proved 10 be necessary to maintain that instr
nsat 10 spirit and meaning Intended BY i