M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1863-07-02
Platform Of Ihe Democracy Of
Ohio.


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The Democratic party has ever been, and
vet is, a law-abiding party. II asks nothing
but its rights under the Constitution and the F!
laws. Il resorts to NO violation OF either;
il countenanCes no violation OF either. IL
has right 10 all guarantees Of public and .
private liberty, and OF property, coala'neu IN
our fundamental laws, and il will surrender
not one of them. L has the right to discuss
public measures, and will discuss them II
has the right to propose and advocate that
policy which it deems best for the nation,
and it will exercise that right, It has the
right 10 have itspOlicy passed upon by the
people at peaceable aud untrammeIed elec.
lions, and 1t will maintain that right. II
found in minority, it yields ObeLience TO
all lawful rule Of the majority; il II be the
majority itself, il claims lhatils lawful Will
be respected. Whether in majority or
minority, il Obeys all laws that are in force.
These that il dislikes it seeks to overthrow
not by violence. but by legitimate repeal.
Those that it proposes, it seeks to curry, not
by force, but BY legal enectments. 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 Obed-
ience to the Constitution and the laws that
Democrats owe. They have the same in-
terest to maintain free government, to pro-
tecl liberty, to be secure in their houses,
persons and property, that Democrats have,
Il is neither their interest nor ours that des-
potism or anarchy should prevail; aud 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
eiTs.
In view Of the circumstances that have
ought US together, we hereby resolve:
RESOLUTIONS.
|. That the will of the people is the
undation OF all free governments. That
give effect to this will, free thought free
speech and free press are absolutely indis'
iensabe. Without free discussion there is
o certainty of sound judgment; without
-ound judgment there can be nc wise gov
.Tnment.
2. That it is an inherent and constiu-
tional right of the people to discuss all mea-
sures OF their Government, and to approve
oil disapprove, as to their best judgment
seems tight. That they have rigbtto pro-
pose and advocate that policy which in their
judgment is best, and to argue and vote
against whatever policy seems to them tu
violate the Constitution, TO impair their lib.
critics, or be detrimental TO their welfare.
8. That these and all other rights, guar.
anteed 10 them by their constitutions, are
their rights in time Of war as well as in time
of peace; and of far more value and necessi-
ty in war than in peace. For in peace liber-
ty, security and property are seldom endan.
geIed; in war they are ever in peril.
4. That we now say to all whom it may
concern, not by way of threat, but calmly
and firmly, that we will not surrender these
rights nor submit TO their lorcibe violation
We will obey the laws, ourselves, and all
others must obey them.
s. That there is a 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 to
Il the people owe allegiance. The Admins
tration are but the agents OF the people,
subject to their approval or condemnation
according 10 the melit or demerit OF their
acts.
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 of January 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.
Z. That we declare our determined OPP
position 10 a system Of emancipation by the
States, 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.
8. That we declare that 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
or extend--martal law over States where
war does not exist, and has suspended the
writ OF lHABEAs CORPUS, is unwanunted by
the Constitution, and its tendency is to sub
ordinate civil to military authority, aud to
subvert our system OF free government.
8. That We deem it proper further TO 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 would
cordially and earnestly cooperate with them
in the restoration of peace and the procure
meut of such proper guarantees as would
give security to all their interests and
rights.
10. That the soldiers composing our ar
mics merit the warmest thanks of the ma
ton. The country called and nobly did
they respond. Living, they shall know ma
tons gratitude, wounded, a nations care
aud dying they shall live in our memories;
and monuments shall be raise to teach pos
terity 10 honor the patriots and heroes who
offered their lives at their country's ater--
Their widows ami orphans shall be adopted
by the nation, to be watched over and cared
for as objects truly worthy nations guard.
ianship.
IL. That Ohio will adhere to the Con-
stitution and the Union as the best, it may
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 suffrages of free people.
IL. That we hail with pleasure and hope
fha roan ife cf tions of tho conaeryativa con-