The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-03-03
THE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY,
PAT Orm Of the Democracy of
Ohio, Adopted at Columbus, JAM
nary s. 1865.

uary s, 1865.
RRsoLyKr, That the Democracy of Ohio
congratulate the country upon the improved
aspect of political affairs, as evidenced by
the State elections Of 1867, and that they
look forward with hope and confidence to the
result of that momentous struggle upon which
they are about to enter aud upon which de.
pends, in so great a degree, the future peace
and prosperity Of the Union.
--RBseLvED, That we are unalterably oppo-
sed to the doctrine which leads to consolida-
ton. We renew with unfagging zeal and
Increased energy our attachment to that po-
litieal creed which has ever been so stanchly
adhered to by our organizati on through days
Of trouble and disaster as we'll as good for
tune and prosperity, which vas thus ex-
pressed by Thomas Jefferson: "Eqnal and
exact Justice to all men of whatever state,
religion or politics. Peace, commerce and
honest friendship with all nations, entang-
ling alliances with none." The support of
the State governments in all their rights, as
the most competent administrators of our
domestic concerns and the surest bulwark
against anti-pubiic tendencies, the preserva-
tion Of the General Government in its whole
constitutional 7igor as the sheet anchor of
peace at home and safety abroad; and jealous
care of the rights Of the electors by the peo-
pies and supremacy of the civil over the mill
tary authority.
Resolved, That we consider the legislative
usurpations of Congress, and particularly
the several acts of reconstruction SO called
between the States, and utterly subversive Of
every principle of self-government that dis
tisguishes free people.
RESOLVED, That we are opposed to any
measures which recognize that the integrity
Of the Union as ever broken-that any Of
its members were ever out; and that We de-
termidly insist that tie Southern States, no
longer being in insurrection or at war with
the Federal Government, are entitled to the
fill State Reorganization in Congress and in
the Electoral Colleges given to all the States;
and that the denial Of it to them by Congress
and its efforts to dictate by military force a
government for them are unconstitutional,
revolutionary and despotic,
RESOLVED, That we are opposed both in
principle and policy to negro suffrage: that
the State of Ohio, having by the. emphatic
majority Of $4,000 rejected it for herself, 8
sternly opposed to its forced imposition up
on the other States, and that we .stigmatize
such an imposition by the Federal Govern
ment as most base nsurpation.
Resolved, That the practical effect of the
so-ealled Reconstruction Acts Of Congress is
to deliver over ten States to the political and
social control of negroes to place the lives
Liberties and fortunes of the whites residing
there into the hands of a barbarous people
and that it would inevitably lead to either a
war of races or to the Africanization OF the
South.
REsoLvED, That notwithstanding the enor-
nous and conceded frauds in the creation of
the public debt, the faith of the country is
pledged to its payment principal and inter
est, according to the terms of the several acts
of Congress under which the banks repre-
senting The debt were issued, but not other
wise; and we are opposed to any plan for
extending the times of payment, thus in
creasing the amount of gold interest to more
than principal, or to any declaration ;by Con-
gsess that the principal Is payable IN gold,
which would virtually add mole than thou
sand millions to the burthen of the debt, and
to the whole insane financial policy of which
these measures are apart.
Resolved, That neither forgetting or deny
Ting an ancient faith that gold and silver coin
form the currency of the country, we de-
clare that the fve-twenty bords should be
paid in the same curr ncy received by the
Government for their issue, and that, by the
withdrawal Of the monopoly granted to the
National banks, this result can be accomplish
ed without an undue or dangerous increase
Of paper money, now the only circulating
medium, thus relieving our people from the
burden Of q debt, the tendency Of which is
always to corrupt and enslave, and our Gov
eminent from the reproach of paying fa-
vored cl.ss in gold, while discharging its debts
to all others, including pensions to widows
and soldiers, in an inferior currency.
REsoLyED, That the plan violates no law,
impairs no contract, breaks no faith. and, in
stead of retarding return to specie pay
msnt, is the shortest, because the only safe
way Of reaching that end,
REsoLyED, That all the property of the
country, including the Government bonds
which receives the equal protection Of the
Government should bear an equal share in
its burdens,
RESOLVED, That we Indignantly reject the
principle derived from the feudal system, that
The masses Of the people belong to the govern
ments under which they live. which, in an
other form, is contended for by the monarchies
ef Europe, including Great Britain, that once .
subject always subject. That We, on the
contrary, maintain that an individual can
by emigration and residence in another coun.
try, foresBear his previous allegiance, and
be admitted into all the civil and pohtica
rights of his new home-that American cit
izens, by adoption and naturalization, are EN-
titled to, all the rights, as between us anc
foreign powers which can be claimed by on
native-born citizens, and that it is the duty o
the Federal Government to protect and main
tain them by every means within It's power
Resolved, That the people viii sustain An
drew Johnson, President of the United States
inlthe struggle with Congressional usurpatioI
and that we pledge the Democracy Of Ohio t.
support him in all constitutional measures
to relieve the white people of the South from
the negro governments now being imposed
upon them.
RESOLVED, That the fortitude and gallantr,
Of our soldiers in. the recent civil war, in de-
fense of the Union, entities. them to tA
gratitude Of the country, and they shoult
ever be remembered by it in its bounties.
REsoLyEp, That the Democracy of the coun'
try have neither the purpose nor desire t
re-establish slavery, nor to assume any por
tien of the debts of the States lately in re-
bellion,