Having assembled in National Convention as the Democracy of the United States, united by a common resolve to maintain right against wrong, and Freedom against Slavery: confiding in the intelligence, patriotism, and discriminating justice of the American people, putting our trust in God for the triumph of our cause, and invoking his guidance in our endeavors to advance it, we now submit to the candid judgment of all men the following declaration of principles and measures: 1. That governments, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, are instituted among men to secure to all those inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness with which they are endowed by their Creator, and of which none can be deprived by valid legislation, except for crime.

2. That the true mission of American Democracy is to maintain the Liberties of the People, the Sovereignty of the States, and the perpetuity of the Union, by the impartial application to public affairs, without sectional discriminations of the fundamental principles of human rights, strict justice and an economical administra

tion.

3. That the Federal Government is one of limited powers, derived solely from the Constitution, and the grants of power therein ought to be strictly construed by all the departments and agents of the Government, and it is inexpedient and dangerous to exercise doubtful constitutional powers.

4. That the Constitution of the United States, ordained to form a more perfect Union, to establish Justice and secure the blessings of Liberty, expressly denies to the General Government all power to deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law; and, therefore, the Government having no more power to make a slave than to make a king, and no more power to establish Slavery than to establish a Monarchy, should at once proceed to relieve itself from all responsibility for the existence of Slavery, wherever it possesses constitutional power to legislate for its extinction. 5. That, to the persevering and importunate demands of the Slave power for more Slave States, new Slave Territories and the nationalization of Slavery, our distinct and final answer is-no more Slave States, no Slave Territory, no nationalized Slavery, and no national Legislation for the extradition of Slaves.

6. That Slavery is a sin against God, and a crime against man, which no human enactment nor usage can make right; and that Christianity, humanity, and patriotism alike demand its abolition.

7. That the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, is repugnant to the Constitution, to the principles of the common law, to the spirit of Christianity, and to the sentiments of the civilized world. We therefore deny its binding force upon the American people, and demand its immediate and total repeal.

8. That the doctrine that any human law is a finality, and not subject to modification or repeal, is not in accordance with the creed of the founders of our Government, and is dangerous to the liberties of the people. 9. That the Acts of Congress, known as the Compromise Measures of 1850, by making the admission of a Sovereign State contingent upon the adoption of other measures demanded by the special interest of Slavery; by their omission to guarantee freedom in the free Territories; by their attempt to impose unconstitutional limitations on the power of Congress and the people-to admit new States; by their provisions for the assumption of five millions of the State debt of Texas, and for the payment of five millions more, and the cession of a large territory to the same State under menace, as an inducement to the relinquishment of a groundless claim, and by their invasion of the sovereignty of the States and the liberties of the people through the enactment of an unjust, oppressive, and unconstitutional Fugitive Slave Law, are proved to be inconsistent with all the principles and maxims of Democracy, and wholly inadequate to the settlement of the questions of which they

are claimed to be an adjustment.

10. That no permanent settlement of the Slavery question can be looked for except in the practical recognition of the truth that Slavery is sectional and Freedom national; by the total separation of the General Government from Slavery, and the exercise of its legitimate and constitutional influence on the side of Freedom; and by leaving to the States the whole subject of Slavery and the extradition of fugitives from service. soil; and that as the use of the soil is indispensable to life, the right of all men to the soil is as sacred as their right to life itself.

11. That all men have a natural right to a portion of the

12. That the Public Lands of the United States belong to the People, and should not be sold to individuals nor granted to corporations, but should be held as a sacred trust for the benefit of the people, and should be granted in limited quantities, free of cost, to landless settlers.

18. That a due regard for the Federal Constitution, a sound administrative policy, demand that the funds of the General Government be kept separate from Banking institutions; that inland and ocean postage should be reduced to the lowest possible point; that no more revenue should be raised than is required to defray the strictly necessary expenses of the public service, and to pay off the public Debt; and that the power and patronage of the Government should be diminished, by the abolition of all unnecessary offices, salaries, and privileges, and by the election, by the people, of all civil officers in the service of the United States, so far as may be consistent with the prompt and efficient transaction of the public busi

the same.

15. That emigrants and exiles from the old world should find a cordial welcome to homes of comfort and fields of enterprise in the new; and every attempt to abridge their privilege of becoming citizens and owners of the soil among us, ought to be resisted with inflexible determination.

16. That every nation has a clear right to alter or change its own government, and to administer its own concerns in such manner as may best secure the rights and promote the happiness of the people; and foreign interference with that right is a dangerous violation of the law of nations, against which all independent governments should protest, and endeavor by all proper means to prevent; and especially is it the duty of the American Government, representing the Chief Republic of the world, to protest against, and by all proper means to prevent the intervention of kings and emperors against Nations seeking to establish for themselves Republicar or constitutional governments.

17. That the Independence of Hayti ought to be recognized by our Government, and our commercial relations with it placed on the footing of the most favored nations.

18. That as by the Constitution, "the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States," the practice of imprisoning colored seamen of other States, while the vessels to which they belong lie in port, and refusing the exercise of the right to bring such cases before the Supreme Court of the United States, to test the legality of such proceedings, is a flagrant violation of the Constitution, and an invasion of the rights of the citizens of other States utterly inconsistent with the professions made by the slaveholders, that they wish the provisions of the Constitution faithfully observed by every State in the Union.

19. That we recommend the introduction into all treaties hereafter to be negotiated between the United States and foreign nations, of some provision for the amicable settlement of difficulties by a resort to decisive arbi

trations.

20. That the Free Democratic Party is not organized to aid either the Whig or Democratic wing of the great Slave Compromise party of the nation, but to defeat them both; and that repudiating and renouncing both, as hopelessly corrupt, and utterly unworthy of confidence, the purpose of the Free Democracy is to take possession of the Federal Government, and administer it for the better protection of the rights and interests of the whole people.

21. That we inscribe on our banner, Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor and Free Men, and under it will fight on and fight ever until a triumphant victory shall reward our exertions.

to the American people as a candidate for the office of 22. That upon this Platform the Convention presents

President of the United States, JOHN P. HALE, of New-person should be deprived of life, liberty or property
Hampshire, and as a candidate for the office of Vice-
President of the United States, GEORGE W. JULIAN, of
Indiana, and earnestly commend them to the support
of all Freemen and all parties.

The result of this contest was an overwhelming triumph of the regular Democracy: Pierce and King carrying every State except Massachusetts, Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee, which cast their votes for Gen. Scott. The Free Democratic vote in several States would have given those States to Scott, had it been cast for him.

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION1856.

This Convention met at Philadelphia on the 17th of June, and chose Col. Henry S. Lane, of Indiana, as presiding officer. An informal ballot for President resulted as follows:

McLean.

States.

States.

Maine,

13 11 Indiana

Illinois.

18
14

Vermont

Michigan.

18

Wisconsin...

15

Iowa..

12

-

Minnesota.

without due process of law, it becomes our duty to main-
tain this provision of the Constitution against all attempts
to violate it for the purpose of establishing Slavery in
any territory of the United States, by positive legislation,
prohibiting its existence or extension therein. That we
deny the authority of Congress, of a territorial legisla
ture, of any individual or association of individuals, to
give legal existence to Slavery in any territory of the
United States, while the present Constitution shall be
maintained.

Resolved, That the Constitution confers upon Congress
sovereign power over the territories of the United States
for their government, and that in the exercise of this
power it is both the right and the duty of Congress to
prohibit in the territories those twin relics of barbarism
-Polygamy and Slavery.

Resolved, That while the Constitution of the United States was ordained and established by the people in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common de fense, and secure the blessings of liberty, and contains ample provisions for the protection of the life, liberty and property of every citizen, the dearest constitutional rights of the people of Kansas have been fraudulently and violently taken from them-their territory has been invaded by an armed force-spurious and pretended legislative, judicial and executive officers have been set over them, by whose usurped authority, sustained by the military power of the Government, tyrannical and unconstitutional laws have been enacted and enforcedthe rights of the people to keep and bear arms have 19 been infringed-test oaths of an extraordinary and entangling nature have been imposed, as a condition of exercising the right of suffrage and holding office-the right of an accused person to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury has been denied-the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures has been violated-they have been deprived of life, liberty and property without due process of law-that the freedom of speech and of the press has been abridged-the right to choose their representatives has been made of no effect-murders, robberies and arsons have been instigated and encouraged, and the offenders have been allowed to go unpunished-that all these things have been done with the knowledge, sanction and procurement of the present Administration, and that for this manity, we arraign the Administration, the President, his high crime against the Constitution, the Union and Huadvisers, agents, supporters, apologists and accessories, either before or after the facts, before the country and bring the actual perpetrators of these atrocious outrages, before the world, and that it is our fixed purpose to and their accomplices, to a sure and condign punishment hereafter.

8

196

New-York also gave two votes for Sumner and one for Seward.

Col. John C. Fremont was thereupon unanimously nominated.

William L. Dayton was nominated for VicePresident, receiving, on the informal ballot, 259 votes to 43 for David Wilmot; 110 for Abraham Lincoln; 7 for Thomas Ford; 35 for Charles Sumner; 4 for Cassius M. Clay; 15 for Jacob Collamer; 2 for J. R. Giddings; 2 for W. F. Johnston; 46 for N. P. Banks; 1 for A. C. M. Pennington; 5 for Henry Wilson; 9 for John A. King; 3 for Henry C. Carey; and 8 for Gen. S. C. Pomeroy of Kansas. A formal ballot was then taken, when Mr. Dayton was nominated unanimously.

The Convention adopted the following

PLATFORM:

ted as a State of the Union, with her present free Consti-
Resolved, That Kansas should be immediately admit-
tution, as at once the most effectual way of securing to
her citizens the enjoyment of the rights and privileges to
which they are entitled; and of ending the civil strife
now raging in her territory.

Resolved, That the highwayman's plea, that "might
makes right," embodied in the Ostend Circular, was in
every respect unworthy of American diplomacy, and
would bring shame and dishonor upon any government
or people that gave it their sanction.

Resolved, That a railroad to the Pacific Ocean, by the most central and practicable route, is imperatively demanded by the interests of the whole country, and that the Federal Government ought to render immediate and efficient aid in its construction; and, as an auxiliary thereto, the immediate construction of an emigrant route on the line of the railroad.

This Convention of Delegates, assembled in pursuance
of a call addressed to the people of the United States,
without regard to past political differences or divisions,
who are opposed to the repeal of the Missouri Compro-
mise, to the policy of the present Administration, to the
extension of Slavery into Free Territory; in favor of
admitting Kansas as a Free State, of restoring the action Resolved, That appropriations by Congress for the
of the Federal Government to the principles of Washing-improvement of rivers and harbors, of a national charac-
ton and Jefferson, and who purpose to unite in present-
ing candidates for the offices of President and Vice-
President, do resolve as follows:

Resolved, That the maintenance of the principles promulgated in the Declaration of Independence and embodied in the Federal Constitution is essential to the preservation of our Republican Institutions, and that the Federal Constitution, the rights of the States, and the Union of the States, shall be preserved.

Resolved, That with our republican fathers we hold it to be a self-evident truth, that all men are endowed with the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that the primary object and ulterior designs of our Federal Government were, to secure these rights to all persons within its exclusive jurisdiction; that, as our republican fathers, when they had abolished Slavery in all our national territory, ordained that nc

ter, required for the accommodation and security of our
existing commerce, are authorized by the Constitution,
and justified by the obligation of government to protect
the lives and property of its citizens.

This contest resulted in the election of the
Democratic nominees, Buchanan and Breckin-
ridge, who received the electoral votes of

New-Jersey, 7; Pennsylvania, 27; Delaware, 8; Virginia, 15; North Carolina, 10; South Carolina, 8; Georgia, 10; Alabama, 9; Mississippi, 7; Louisiana, 6; Tennessee, 12; Kentucky, 12; Indiana, 13; Illinois, 11; Missouri, 9; Arkansas, 4; Florida, 8; Texas, 4; Califor nia, 4.-174.

For Fremont and Dayton: Maine, 8; New-Hampshire, 5; Vermont, 5; Massachusetts, 18; Rhode Island, 4;

1

Connecticut, 6; New-York, 35; Ohio, 28; Michigan, 6; | viency to the stronger, and an insolent and cowardly Iowa, 4; Wisconsin, 5-114.

Fillmore and Donelson, Maryland, 8.

AMERICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

1856.

The American National Council met in Philadelphia February 19, 1856. All the States except four or five were represented. E. B. Bartlett, of Ky., President of the National Council presided, and, after a rather stormy session of three days, devoted mainly to the discussion of a Party Platform, the following, on the 21st, was adopted:

AMERICAN PLATFORM.

bravado toward the weaker powers; as shown in reopening sectional agitation, by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; as shown in granting to unnaturalized foreigners the right of suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in its vacillating course on the Kansas and Nebraska question; as shown in the corruptions which per vade some of the Departments of the Government; as shown in disgracing meriterious naval officers through prejudice or caprice: and as shown in the blundering mismanagement of our foreign relations.

14. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise resulting therefrom, we would build up the "American Party" upon the principles herein before stated.

15. That each State Council shall have authority to amend their several constitutions, so as to abolish the several degrees and substitute a pledge of honor, instead of other obligations, for fellowship and admission inte the party. 16. A free and open discussion of all political princ! ples embraced in our Platform.

1. An humble acknowledgment to the Supreme Being, for his protecting care vouchsafed to our fathers in their On the following day (Feb. 22,) the America successful Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto mani-National Nominating Convention, composed fested to us, their descendants, in the preservation of the liberties, the independence, and the union of these

States.

dence.

2. The perpetuation of the Federal Union and Constitution, as the palladium of our civil and religious liberties, and the only sure bulwarks of American Indepen 8. Americans must rule America; and to this end native-born citizens should be selected for all State, Federal and municipal offices of government employment, in preference to all others. Nevertheless,

mostly of the same gentlemen who had deliberated as the National Council, organized at Philadelphia, with 227 delegates in attendance, Maine, Vermont, Georgia, and South Carolina, being the only States not represented. Ephraim Marsh, of New-Jersey, was chosen to preside, and the Convention remained in session till the 25th, and, after disposing of several cases of contested seats, discussed at considerable length, and with great warmth, the question of the 5. No person should be selected for political station power of the National Council to establish a (whether of native or foreign birth), who recognizes any Platform for the Convention, which should be allegiance or obligation of any description to any foreign of binding force upon that body. Finally, Mr. prince, potentate or power, or who refuses to recognize Killinger, of Pennsylvania, proposed the fol the Federal and State Constitutions (each within its sphere) as paramount to all other laws, as rules of polit-lowing:

4. Persons born of American parents residing temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the rights of

native-born citizens.

ical action.

6. The unqualified recognition and maintenance of the reserved rights of the several States, and the cultivation of harmony and fraternal good will between the citizens of the several States, and to this end, non-interference by Congress with questions appertaining solely to the individual States, and non-intervention by each State with the affairs of any other State.

7. The recognition of the right of native-born and naturalized citizens of the United States, permanently residing in any territory thereof, to frame their constitution and laws, and to regulate their domestic and social affairs in their own mode, subject only to the provisions of the Federal Constitution, with the privilege of admission into the Union whenever they have the requisite population for one Representative in Congress: Procided, always, that none but those who are citizens of the United States, under the Constitution and laws thereof, and who have a fixed residence in any such Territory, ought to participate in the formation of the Constitution, or in the enactment of laws for said Territory or State.

8. An enforcement of the principles that no State or Territory ought to admit others than citizens to the right of suffrage, or of holding political offices of the United States.

9. A change in the laws of naturalization, making a continued residence of twenty-one years, of all not heretofore provided for, an indispensable requisite for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all paupers, and persons convicted of crime, from landing upon our shores; but no interference with the vested rights of foreigners.

10. Opposition to any union between Church and State; no interference with religious faith or worship, and no test oaths for office.

11. Free and thorough investigation into any and all alleged abuses of public functionaries, and a strict economy in public expenditures.

12. The maintenance and enforcement of all laws constitutionally enacted until said laws shall be repealed, or shall be declared null and void by competent judicial authority.

18. Opposition to the reckless and unwise policy of the present Administration in the general management of our national affairs, and more especially as shown in re"Americans" (by designation) and Conservamoving tives in principle, from office, and placing foreigners and Traits in their places; as shown in a truckling subser

Resolved, That the National Council has no authority to prescribe a Platform of principles for this Nominating Convention, and that we will nominate for President and Vice-President no man who is not in favor of interdicting the introduction of Slavery into Territory north 86° 30' by congressional action.

A motion to lay this resolution on the table was adopted, 141 to 59. A motion was then made to proceed to the nomination of a candidate for President, which was carried, 151 to 51, the Anti-Slavery delegates, or North Americans, as they were called, voting in the negative, and desiring to postpone the nomination. But being beaten at all points, they (to the number of about 50) either withdrew or refused to take any further part in the proceedings of the Convention, and many of them subsequently supported Col. Fremont for President.

An informal ballot was then taken for Presi
dent, which resulted as follows:
M. Fillmore, of N. Y..... 71 |
George Law, N. Y....... 27
Garrett Davis, Ky...... 18
John McLean, Ohio.... 7
R. F. Stockton, N. J..... 8
Sam, Houston, Texas...

6

John Bell, Tennessee... 5
Kenneth Raynor, N. C.. 2
Erastus Brooks, N. Y.... 2
Lewis D. Campbell, Ohio. 1
John M. Clayton, Del.... 1

mously nominated, and the Convention ad- [and ample protection of persons and property from domestic violence and foreign aggression. journed.

5. That it is the duty of every branch of the Government to enforce and practice the most rigid economy in conducting our public affairs, and that no more revenue

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION- ought to be raised than is required to defray the neces

sary expenses of the government, and gradual but certain extinction of the public debt.

6. That the proceeds of the public lands ought to be Constitution, and that we are opposed to any law for the sacredly applied to the national objects specified in the distribution of such proceeds among the States, as alike inexpedient in policy, and repugnant to the Constitution. 7. That Congress has no power to charter a National Bank; that we believe such an institution one of deadly hostility to the best interests of this country, dangerous to our republican institutions and the liberties of the peo54 ple, and calculated to place the business of the country within the control of a concentrated money power and

above the laws and will of the people; and the results of the Democratic legislation in this and all other financial measures upon which issues have been made between the two political parties of the country, have demonstrated to candid and practical men of all parties their sound5 ness, safety and utility in all business pursuits.

8. That the separation of the moneys of the Government from banking institutions is indispensable to the safety of the funds of the Government and the rights of the people.

9. That we are decidedly opposed to taking from the President the qualified Veto power, by which he is enabled, under restrictions and responsibilities amply suffi of a bill whose merits cannot secure the approval of twocient to guard the public interests, to suspend the passage pro-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, until the judgment of the people can be obtained thereon, and which has saved the American people from the corrupt and tyrannical dominion of the Bank of the United States, and from a corrupting system of general internal improvements.