Year: 1868




ment and the preservation Of the Union
under the Constitution.


It has repeatedly violated that most sacred
pledge under which was rallied that noble
volunteer army, which carried our flag TO
victory.


Instead of restoring the Union, it has, so
far as in its power, dissolved it, and subjected
ten States in time Of peace to despOtism and
negro supremacy.


1t has nullifed there the right of trial by
jury.


1t has abolished the habeas corpus, that
most sacred writ of liberty.


1t has overthrown the freedom Of speech
and the press.


1t has substituted arbitrary seizures and
arrests and military trials and secret Star
Chamber inquisitions, for constitutional tri-
bunaIs


1t has disregarded in time of peace the
right of the people to be free from search
and seizures.


1t has entered the post and telegraph Of
fees, and even the private rooms Of indi-
viduaIs, and seized their private papers and
letters without any specification or notice of
affidavit, as required by the organic law.


1t has converted the American capitol
into a bastile


It has established a system of spies and
official espionage to which no constitutional
monarchy Of Europe would now dare to re
sort


1t has abolished the right of appeal on
important constitutional questions to the
supreme Judiciary tribunal, and threatens to
curtail or destroy its original jurisdiction,
which Is irrevocably vested by the Constitu
ton, while the learned Chief Justice has
been subjected to the most atrOcious
calumnies, merely because he would not
prostitute his high Office to the support Of
the false and PARTISAN charges preferred
against the President.


Its corruption and extravaganza have ex-
ceeded anything khoWn in history, and by
its frauds and mOGopolies it has nearly
doubled the burden Of debt created during
the war


1t has stripped the President of his con-
stitutional power of appointment, even of
his own cabinet.


Under its repeated assaults the pillars of
the Government are rocking on their base,
and should it succeed in November next and
inaugurate its President we will meet as a
subject and conquered people amid the ruins
Of liberty and the scattered fragments Of
the Constitution and we do declare and re-
solve that ever since the people of the
United States threw off all subiectiOn to the
British Crown, the privilege and trust of
suffrage have belonged to the several States,
and have been granted, regulated and con
trclled exclusively by the political power of
each State respectively, and any attempt by
Congress, on any pretext whatever, to de-
prives any State of this right, or interfere
with this exercise, is fragrant usurpatiOn of
power which can find no warrant in the Con
stitution, and, if sanctioned by the people,
will subvert our form of government, and
can only end IN a single centralized, con-
sOlidated government In which the separate
n 10 will ha or7Fi7 w h
sorbed, and an unqualified despOtism be es-
tabhshed In place of a Federal Union of
equal States


That we regard the reconstruction acts of
Congress, sOcalled, as usurpatIOns, uncOn.
stitutiOnal, revolutionary and void, and that
our soldiers and sailors who carried the flag
Of our country to victory against a most
gallant and determined foe, must ever be
gratefully remembered, and all the guaran-
tees given in their favor must be faithfully
carried into execution.


That the public lands should be distrib-
uted widely among the people, and should
be disposed Of either under the pre-emptiOn
or homestead laws, and sold in reasonable
quantities, and to none but actual occupants
at the minimum price as established by the
Government. When grants of the public
lands may be allowed, necessary for the en-
couragement Of important public improve
ments, the proceeds of the sale of such
lands and not the lands themselves should
be so applied.


That the President of the United States,
Andrew johnson, in exercising the power
of his high Office in resisting the aggressions
of Congress on the Constitutional rights Of
the States and the people, is entitled to the
gratitude of the whole American people,
and on behalf of the Democratic party we
tender him our thanks for his patriotic
efforts in that regard.
Upon this platform the Democratic party
appeal to every patriot, including all the
conservative element and all who desire to
support the Constitution and restore the
Union, forgetting all past differences of
opinion, to Unite with us in the present great
struggle for liberties of the people, and that
to all such, to whatever party they may have
heretofore belonged, we extend the right
hand Of fellowship and hail all such co-ope-
rating with US as friends and brothers