The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-07-03
PLATFORM OF THE DEMOC-
.. RACY OF OHIO.
PREAMBLE.

PREAMBLE.
The Democratic party has ever been, and
vet is, a law abiding party. 1t asks nothing
but Its rights under the Constitution and the
laws. 1t resorts to no violation Of either; it
oountenapces no violation Of either 1t has
right to all the guarantees of public and pri-
Vate liberty, and Of property, contained insSur
fundamental laws, and it will surrender not
one Of them. 1t has the right to discuss pub
lilo measures, and will discuss them 1t has
the right to propose and advocate that policy
which it deems best for the nation, and 1t will
exercise that right. 1t has right to have its
policy passed upon by the people at peaceable
and untrammelled elections and it will main
tain that right. If found in minority it
yields obedience to all lawful rule Of the ma
iority; if it be the majority itself, it claims
that its lawful will be respected. Whether in
majority or minority, it Obeys all laws that
are in force. Those that it dslikes, it seeks
to overthrow, not by violence, but by legti-
mate repeal. Those that it proposes, it seeks
to 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
enoe to the Constitution and 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-
ehy 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 tha will of the people IS the founda-
tion of oil FREQ government That to give ef-
feet to this will, free thought, free speech and
free press are absolutely Indispensable. -
Without free 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 TO approve or disap-
prove as to their best judgment seems right
That they have q like right to propose and ad-
vocate that policy which in their judgment is
best, aud to argue and vote against whatever
policy seems to them to violate the CoDstitu-
tion, to impair their liberties, Or to be detri-
mental to their welfare.
g. That these and all other rights guaran-
teed to them by their Constitutions, are their
rights in time of war as we'll 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 ;
in war, they are ever in peril.
A. That we now say to all whom 1t may con-
cern, not by way of threat, but calmly and
hat, nil ~ dan thas nj g.
nor submit to their forcible violation. We will
obey the laws ourselves, and all others must
obey them.
s. 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, and 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
to be unwise, unconstitutional, and void.
T. That we declare our determined opposi-
tion to system Of emancipation 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, anC
wholly without warrant Of the Constitution.
8. That we declare that the power Whicl
has recently been assumed by the President o
the United States, whereby under the guise o
military necessity he has proclaimed and ex
tended-or asserts the right to proclaim or ex
tend-martial law over States where war doe
not exist, and has suspended the writ of habs0
corpus, is unwarranted by the Constitution
and its tendency is TO subordinate civil to mil
itary authority, and to subyert our system Q
free government.
0. That we deem It proper further to declaI
that we, together with the truly loyal peopl
of the State, would hail with pleasure and d.
light any manifestations Of desire on the pa
of the seeded States to return to their alleg
ance TO the Government Of the Union, and
such event We would cordially and earnest
cooperate with them in the restoration
peace and the procurement of such propt
guarantees as would give security to all thel
interests and rights.
merit the wArmest thanks Of the nation. The
country called and nobly did they respond
Living, they shall know nations gratitud'
wounded, nations care; aud dying they sha
live in our memories, and monuments shall
raised to teach posterity 10 honor the patrio
and heroes who offered their lives at the
oountry's &tar. Their widows and orphai
shall be adopted by the nation, to be watcht
over and cared for as objects truly worthy
nations guardianship.
IL. That Ohio will adhere to the Constit
tion and the Union as the best, it may be t
last hope Of popular freedom, AMI for {
wrongs which may have been committed
evils which may exist, will seek redress, und
the Constitution and within the Union, by t
peaceful but powerful agency Of the suffrag
Of o free people.
H. That we hail with pleasure and hope
manifestations of conservative sentiment amO
the people Of the Northern States in th
elections, and regard the same as the earn
Of o good purpose upon their part to coop
ate with oil other loyal citizens in giving
curiety to the rights Of every section a
maintaining the Union and the Constitution
they were ordained by the founders Of the I
public. -
10. That whenever it becomes practicable
obtain convention Of all or Of three four
of the States, such body should be CONVEX
for the purpose Of proposing such amendme
2 to the Federal Constitution as experience
proved to be necessary to maintain that inst
insnt In the spirit and meaning intended by