M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1863-06-25


should like nothing better than to Sc,
them encounter the Democratic cham
pions, Vallandigham and Pugh, on
the stump in fair debate and manly
discussion all through the State. Th,
friends Of free speech and free presi
would be the gamers by it.-Enq.
Platform Of the Democracy OF
Ohio.
i PREAMBLE,
The Democratic party has ever been, ant
lyst is, law-abiding party. 1t asks nothing
but its rights under the Constitution and the
laws. II tsto no violation of either
1t countenances no violation of either. /
has right to all guarantees of public and
private liberty, and of property, con tanned 10
our fundamental laws, and it will surrender
not one OF them. Ithas the right to discus,
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. 1t has the
right to have itspolcy passed upon by the
people at peaceable and untrammeed eec-
tions, and It will maintain that right. II
found in minority, it yields obedience to
all lawful rule of the majority; if it be the
majority itself, il claims thatits lawful will
be respected. Whether in majority or
minority, it obeys all laws that are in force.
These that it disikes it seeks to overthrow
not by violence. but by legitimate repeal.
Those that it proposes, it seeks to carry, not
by force, but by legal eneCtments. And
what it does in oil these respects, it 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 i'll
terest to maintain free government, to pro-
tecl liberty, to be secure in their houses,
persons and property, that Democrats have.
1t is neither their interest nor ours that des-
potism or anarchy should prevail; and if they
wish to avert 5oth,l 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
foundation Of all free governments. That
10 give effect 10 this will, free thought free
speech and free press are absolutely indis-
peussbe. Without free discussion there is
no certainty Of sound Judgment; without
sound judgment there can be ne wise gov.
eument.
J. That il is an inherent and constitu-
,iOnal right of the people to discuss all mea-
slres OF theif Government, aud to approve
o dIsappToye, as TO their best judgment
seems right. That they have rightto pro.
Fosa and advocate that policy which in their
llSsmen! is best, and to argue and vote
against whatever policy seems to them to
violate the Constitution, TO impair their lib
erIies, or Be detrimental 10 their welfare.
8. That these and all other rights. guar
antesd to Them BY their constitutions are
their rights in time of war as well as in time
Of peace; and OF far more value aud necessi-
~ in war than in peace. For in peace liber-
ty, security nhd property ara seldom endan-
SeTed; 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 iOrcibe violation
We will obey the laws, ourselves, and all
others must obey them.
5. That there is a manifest difference be |
tween the Administration of the Govern
ment and the Government itself. The Gov
consists Of civil and political insti.
tutions created by the Constitution, end to
it the people owe allegiance. The Admins
ration are but the agents Of the people, |
subject to their approval or condemnation
according to the merit 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, Gated
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.
and void.
7. That we declare our determined op.
position TO 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.
s. 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--martial law over States where
war does not exist, and has suspended the
writ ofHABEAs CORPUS, is unwananted by
the Constitution, and its tendency is to sub
ordinate civil to military authority, and 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 pie as
ure and deligh. any manifestations OF a 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
ment OF such proper guarantees as would
give security 10 all their interests and
rights.
10. That the soldiers composing our ar
mics merit the warmest thanks of the ma.
lion. The country called and nobly did
they respond. Living, they shall know ma
tion's gratitude, wounded, nations care;
and dying they shall live in our memories;
and monuments shall be raised to teach pos.