Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-06-19
The Democratic" State Convention


the second ballot George Sharswood, Esq,
Of Philadelphia, was nominated as the can
didate for Supreme Judge. The Commit
tee on Resolutions presented the following
PLATFORM
We, the delegates of the Democratic par
ty of Pennsylvania, in general State Con-
vention assembled for the nomination Of a
candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court
profoundly grateful to the Supreme Ruler
of the universe for the return Of peace to
our beloved country, but deeply anxious on
account of trials and delays which impede
the complete restoration and re- union of all
the States, and approaching the dangers
which still threaten the safety of our politi-
cal institutions and the future peace, liberty,
and prosperity of the people, resolve:
FIRST. That we steadfastly adhere to the
principles of civil government established
by the founders of the Union, and in the
present conflict of legislative usurpation,
with constitutional law we esteem a wise,
upright, and fearless judiciary the greatest
bulwark of public liberty and individual
rights.
Second That the union of the States is
perpetual, and the Federal Government su-
preme within its Constitutional limits.
Third. That representation in the Con-
gress of the United States and in the Elec-
toral College is right fundamental and in-
destructible in its nature, and abiding in
every State being duty as well as right
pertaining to the people of every State, and
essential to our republican system of gov
ernment, Its denial is the destruction of the
Government itself.
Fourth Each State having under the
Constitution the exclusive right to prescribe
qualifications of its own electors, we pro-
claim as usurpation and outrage the estab-
lishment of negro suffrage in any of the
States by the coercive exercise of the Fed
eral power; and we shall resist to the last
resort the threatened measures Of the lead
ers OF the Republican party in Congress
with the regulations of the elective fran
chiSe in the State of Pennsylvania.
ruth. That we are opposed TO any amend
ment of the Constitution of this State CIV
ing to negroes the right of suffrage.
Siich. That the failure of the tariff bill
in the last session of the lite Congress, more
than e-fourths of the members of which
belonged to the Republican party, is an IL
lustration of their iufdelity to their pledges
and neglect of their professions in relation
to the great industrial and financial interests
of the country.
SeUenth. That the Radical majority in
Congress, and those who sustain them. have
overthrown the Constitution, dismembered
the Federal Union, and slbv erted republi-
can government by long series OF usurpa-
tions. among which are the following The
denial Of the rights of the States of the
Union to representation in Congress the
treatment of ten States as subjugated PROV
inccs, ard governing them by military force
in time oil peace; tho enactment of laws
denying indemnity for arrests and false i'm
prisonment, made without authority of law;
the resistance of authority of civil tribunals
and their overthrow by substitution of mil
itary commissions for the trial of underlined
offences; their efforts to destroy executive
and judicial departments of the Govern
ment, by threatened impeachment to con-
troll executive action, and a projected remod-
cling of the Supreme Court of the United
States to force obedience to Congressional
mandates; the election from their seats in
the Federal Senate and House of members
duly and legally chosen; the purpose of con-
fiscation, in violation of the declaration of
the rights avowed by the Republican leaders
and other guarantees of Federal and State
Constitutions, tending as it does to destroy
all protection to private property, advances
them far on the high road to reputation
-
Federal and State Governments, to all pow
ers, restrictions, and guarantees, as contain
ed in the Constitution of the Urited States,
a rigid and wise economy in the administra
ton of public affairs and the election Of
capable, honest, and patriotic men to office,
are measures absolutely necessary to restore
pubic confidence, avert national bankruptcy,
and to insure the perpetuity of our free in
stitutio ons.
Ninth. That the late Republican Legisla-
ture OF this State has distinguished itself
for the number of its unwise and unconsti-
tutional enactments Some of these laws
have already been iudicially determined to
be unconstitutional others are unwise, in
eXpedlent, oppressive, and fanatical and
the members who sustained them should be
condemned by the people at the polls.
Tenth. That the power and success of the
democratic party greatly depend on the
character and efficiency of its newspaper
press, und that, to give due force to its
usefulness, this convention earnestly request
that IN every county all the members of the
Democratic party should make vigorous eff.
forts to increase its circulation by giving il
their individual patronage and support.
E2ecenth. That the Democracy of Penn
sylvania, by their representatives now as
senibed, hereby tender acknowledgements
and thanks to the Hon. George W. Wood
ward IN his retirement from the position OF
Chief Justice of this Commonwealth, for
the pure, faithful, and able manner in which
he discharged the duties of that exalted
position.
Ticelfh. That the candidate we this day
present 70 the people of Pennsylvania for a
place on the Supreme Bench of the State,
is in all respects worthy of the confidence
and support of all who are in favor of en-
lightened, faithful, and impartial admins
tration of the laws.