M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1863-07-30
Platform OfIhe Democracy of
Ohio.
PREAMBLE,

ThsDemocntic party has ever been, and
yet is "a law,abiding party. Il asks nothing
but lis rights under The Constitution and the
laws II resorts 10 no violation of either;
it countenanres no violation of either. II
has right 10 all guarantees Of public and
private liberty, and Of property, contained in
ma one ofthem. 1t has the right to discuss
public measures, aud will discuss them. II
has the right to propose and adrocate that
policy Which it deems best for the nation,
and III will eSefeise that right Il has the
right to have 1t policy passed upon by The
people at peaCeable and untrammeed elec-
tions. aud It will maintsin that right. II
found In a minJIity, it yields Obedience to
utl isH ful rule Of the majority il il be the
majority itself, ii claims lhatits lawful will
be Inspected, Whether in a naiorty or
minority, il obeys all laws that are in force.
rhese that it dislikes it seeks to overthrow
gol 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 all these respects, il de-
mands and has a right to demand, that all
oilers shall do, They owe the same Obed.
ience to the Constitution and the laws that
Democrats owe. They have the same ia.
teFest TO maintain free government, to pro-
tecl liberty, to be secure in their houses,
persons aud property, that Democrats have.
ID is neither their interest nor ours that des-
p6tism or anarchy should pIevOil; and il they
wish to avert both, let them see 10 il in time
That they give no occasion for either. We
will DO our duty; lei them remember to do
heirs.
In view OF the circumstances that have
brought us together, we hereby resolve:
Eva r.r RESOLUTIONS.
l. That. the will Of the people is the
.tundaton Of all free governments. That
give effect TO this will, free thought free
.leech and free press are absolutely inds-
= ensable. Withou! free discussion there il
certainty OF sound judgment; without
,und judgment there can be nc wise gov.
nment.
q. That il is an inherent and constitu-
onal right Of the people to discuss all mea-
res OF theif Government, and TO approve
8 disapprove, as to their best judgment
,eeins right. That they have rigbtto pro.
rose and advocate that policy which in their
judgment is best, and to argue and vote
against whatever policy seems to them to
violate the Constitution, to impair their lib
critics, or be detrimental 10 their welfare.
8. That these and all other rights, guar.
anteed 10 them by their constitutions, are
their rights in time ofwar as we'll as in time
Of peace; and of far more value aud necessi-
ty in war than in peace. Form peace libsr-
ty, security AID property are seldom endsn.
gered; in war they are ever in peril.
4. That we now say to all whom il may
concern, 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 the laws, ourselves. and all
others must obey them.
8. 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.
iutions created by the Constitution, snd 70
it the people owe allegiance. The Admins
tration 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, 1ated
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 op.
position TO 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--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 onr 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 Governmen,
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 to 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, a nations care;
and dying they shall live in our memories;
and monuments shall be raised to teach DOS,
terity 10 honor the patriots and heroes who
offered their lives at their country's alter
Their widows ami orphans shall be adopted
by the natien, 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, il ma,
be the last, hope Of popular freedom, and fol-
all wrongs which may have beep committed
or evils which may exist, will seek redress
under The Constitution and within the Uni
on, by the peaceful but powerful agency o.
the suffrsges of free people.
l2. That we hail with pleasure and hop,