Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1863-10-09
The CHICAGO Platform.


BY request,we republish this document,
which the Copperheads are misrepresent-
ing. On reading it, you will be forclbly
struck with the truly conservative temper
exhibited, and with, the wisdom forecast,
ing it so admirably for the evils which We
have to grapple i'll our day. Legally and
pcacesbly chosen, this Administration, in
being faithful to the Constitution and the
country, have had no occasion to be false
to their principles or to their friends.
| Kesoired, That We, the delegated representa-
lives Of the Republican Electors Of the United
states, in Convention assembled, IN the DIS
charge of the du'y we owe TO our constituents
and our country, unite in the following decla'
rations:
l. That the history of the nation. during
the past four years, has fully established the
proprietv and nece sSiiy of the organization and
perpe,uaton OF the Republican p rrty, and that
the causes which called 1t into existence are
permanent IN their nature, and now more than
ever before demand ADpeaceful and cons!ilu-
uOna; triumph.
promulgated in the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence, and embodied IN the Federal Consutu-
tion, is essential TO the preservation of our
republican institutions, and that the Federal
Constitution, the Rights Of the States, and the
Union of IN. States, must and shall be pre-
served.
3. That to the Union Of the States this
nation owes its Unprecedented increase in
population; its surprising development of
material resources; lis rapid augmentation of
wealth its happiness at home, and its honor
abroad; that we hold in adherence all
schemes for Disunion, come from whatever
source they may; we congratulate the coun.
try that no Republican member OF Congress
has uttered or countenanced threat Of Disu-
mon, so often made by Democratic members
of Congress without rebuke and with ap-
plause from their political associates; and we
denounce those threats of DisuniOn, in case
of popular overthrow Of their ascendency,
as denying the vital principles Of free gov
ernment, and as an avowal OF contemplated
treason, which it is the imperative duty Of an
indignant people strongly 10 rebuke and for
ever silence.
4. That the maintenance inviolate Of the
rights Of the States, and especially the right of
each State to order and control its own domes.
tic institutions, according to its own judgment
exclusively. is essential TO that balance Of
power on which the perfection and endurance
Of our political faith depends, and we de-
nounce the lawless invasion. by armed force.
of any Stale or Territory, no matter under
what Pretext, as among the gravesi OF crimes.
S. That the present Democratic Admins
tration has far exceeded our worst apprehen.
siOns in its measureless subserviency to the
exactions Of sectional interest, as is especi.
ally evident in its desperate exertiOns TO force
the infamous Lecompton Constitution upon
the protesting people of kansas-in constru.
ing the personal relation between master aud
servant to involve an unqualified property in
persons-in its attempted enforcement every
where, on land and sea, through the interven-
ton Of Congress and the Federal courts, Of
the extreme pretentions of a purely local inte-
rest, and in its general and uuvarying abuse of
the power intrusied TO it by conhding people.
6. That the people justly view with alarm
the reckless extravaganza which pervades
every department of the Federal Government;
that return to rigid economy and accounta-
bilty is indispensable to arrest the system Of
plunder OF the whole treasury by favored par
tisans; while the recent startling develop
ments OF fraud and corruption at the Federal
metropolis, show that an entire change OF ad-
mlnistra,ion is impera,ively demanded.
Z. That the new dogma that the Constitu-
ton Of its own force carries Slavery into any
or all the Territories of the United States, is
dangerous political heresy, at variance with
the explicit provisions of that instrument IL
self, with contempOraneous exposition, and
with legislative and judicial precedent, is rev.
olutionary in its tendency, and subversive of
the peace and harmony of the country.
3. That the normal condition Of all the Ter.
ritory of the United States is that Of Freedom;
that as our republican fathers, when they had
abolished Slavery in all our national Terrific
ry, ordained that no person should be depri-
we'd of life, liberty. or property. without due
process of law. it becomes our duty, by lesis-
laliOn, whenever such legislation is necessa-
ry, TO maintain this provision Of the ConstlIu-
tion against all attempts to violate II; and we
deny the authority OF Congress. of Terrific
rial Legislature. or of any individuals, TO give
legal existence to Slavery in any Territory Of
the United Stales.i
Q. That We brand the recent re-opening of
the African slave-trade, under the cover Of
our national flag, aided by the perversiOns OF
judicial power, As crime against humanity
a burning shame TO our country and age, and
we call upon Congress to take prompt and ef.
icient measures for the total and final sup
preston of thai execrable traffic.
10. That in the recent vetoes, by their
Federal Governors. of the acts o: the Lesisla-
lures of Kansas and Nebraska prohibiting
Slavery in those Territories. we find practi-
cal illustration Of the boasted Democratic
principle of non-intervenlion and Popular
Sovereignty embodied in the Kansas and
Nebraska bill. and denunciation of the de-
ceptiOn and fraud involved therein.
II. That Kansas should of right be imme- |
tiately admitted, as State, under the Consti-
tuition recently formed and adopted by her
people and accepted by the House OF Repre-.
sentatives.
IL. That while providing revenue for the |
support of the General Government, by duties |
upon imposts. sound policy requires snch an
adjustment Of these impOsts as to encourage !
he development Of the industrial interests Of
he whole country, and we commend that !
policy Of national exchanges which secures
o the wOrkingmen liberal wages, to agricul-
ure remuneraiing prices, to mechanics and
an adequate reward for their
kill, labor and enterprise, and to the nation
commercial prosperity and independence.
l3. That We protest against any sale or
llienation 10 others Of the public lands held
" actual settlers, and against any view Of the
rec Homestead policy which regards the set
lers IS paupers or supplicants for public
county, and We demand the passage BY Con.
ress of the complete and satisfactory Home
tead measure which has already passed the
Iousa