Daily national era. [volume], February 14, 1854, Image 4

About Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854

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WASHINGTON. D. C.
THE FUGITIVE SI.AVE LAW.
Am Aet U iMfwl ?ad M|^(riMiiUr|i U ihf ?< I ?? mi
lled " Ah U'l rrt|K<'lia| fugitives from justirc uml
f"??? Iiwm the arrvlre el tlieir iMttkirr?,"
? ffrtjfd hkrury Iwrlfth, *nr theuwiud wvra
hundred *ud ainely-tkrre.
Be it cwictei/ by the Semite and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, Thai I lie
persons who have been or may hereafter
he appointed commissioners in virtue of}
auy act of Congress, l>y the circuit courts j
of the United States, ami who, in conse
quence of such appointment, are author- j
izeil to exercise the powers that any jus- j
tice of the peace, or other magistrate of
any of the United States, may exercifce in
respect to offenders for any crime or of
fence against the United States, hy arrest
ing, imprisoning, or hailing, 1 lit? same,
under and hy virtue of the thirty-third
section of the act of the twenty-fourth of
September, seventeen hundred and eighty
nine, entitled " An act to establish the
judicial courts of the United States," shall
be, and are hereby, authorized and requir
ed to exercise and discharge all the pow
ers and duties conferred" by this act.
Site. 2. And be it f urther enacted, That
the superior court of each organized Ter
ritory of the United States shall have the
same povfer to appoint commissioners to
take acknowledgments of bail and a/Ii
davits, and to take depositions of witnesses
in civil causes, which is now possessed hy
the circuit court of the United States; and
all commissioners who shall hereafter be
appointed for such purposes by the supe
rior court of any organized Territory of
the United States, shall possess all tlje
powers, and exercise all the duties, con
ferred by law upon commissioners ap
pointed by the United Slates for similar
purposes, and shall moreover exercise and
discharge all the powers and duties con
ferred by this act.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That
the circuit courts of the United Stales,
and the superinf courts of each organized
Territory of the United States, shall from
time to time enlarge the number of com
missioners, with a view to afford reasona
ble facilities to reclaim fugitives from labor,
and to the prompt discharge of the duties
imposed by this act.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That
the commissioners above named shall have
concurrent jurisdiction with the judges of
the circuit and district courts of the United
States in their respective circuits and dis
tricts within the several States, and the
judges of the superior courts of the Terri
tories, severally and collectively, in term
time and vacation ; and shall grant certi
ficates to such claimants, upon satisfactory
proof being made, with authority to take
and remove such fugitives from service or
labor, under the restrictions herein con
tained, to the State or Territory from
which such persons inay have escaped or
tied.
Sec-5. And be it further enacted, That
it shall be the duty of all marshals and
deputy marshals to obey and execute all
? warrants and precepts issued under the
provisions of this act, when to them di?
reeled ; and should any marshal or deputy
marshal refuse to receive such warrant or
other process when tendered, or to use all
proper meant* diligently to execute the
same, he shall, on conviction thereof, be
fined in the sum of one thousand dollars,
to the use of such claimant, ou the motion
of such claimant, by the circuit or district
court for the district of such marshal; and
after arrest of such fugitive by such mar
shal or his deputy, or whilst at any time
in his custody under the provisions under
this act, should such fugitive escape,
whether with or without the assent of such
marshal or his deputy, such marshal shall
be liab'e on his official bond to l?c prose
cuted for the benefit of such claimant for
the full value of the service or labor of said
fugitive, in the Stale, Territory, or District,
whence he escaped: and Ihe lielter t* en
able the said commissioners, when I tins
appointed, to execute their duties faith
fully and efficiently, in conformity with
the retirements of the Constitution of
the United Slates and of this act, they
are hereby authorized and eui|?oweicd,
within their counties, respectively, to
appoint, in writing, under their hands,
any one or more suitable |>ersotis, from
time to lime, to execute all such war
rants and other process as mav be issued
by them in the lawful performance of
their res|?ective duties; Willi authority to
such commissioners, or I he persons to Itc
' appointed by them, to execute process a*
aforesaid, to summon and call to their aid
the bystanders, or paste cum if at us of the
proper county, when necessary to insure
a faithful observance of the clause of the
Constitution referred to, in conformity
with the provisions of this act ; ami all
good citizens are hereby commanded to
aid and assist in Ihe prompt and efficient
execution of this law, whenever their ser
vire%may be required, as aforesaid, for
that purpose; and said warrants shall run
and be executed by said officers anywhere
in the State within which they are issued.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That
when a person held to service or labor in
any State or Territory of the United States,
has heretofore or shall hereafter escape
into another State or Territory of the
United States, the person or persons to
whom such service or labor may lie due,
or his, her, or their agent ouittorney, duly
authorized by power of attorney, in wri
ting, acknowledged and certified under the
seal of sotne legal officer or court of the
State or Territory in which the same may
be executed, may pursue and reclaim sflch
fugitive person, either by procuring a war
rant from some one of the courts, judges,
or commissioners aforesaid* of the proper
circuit, district, or county, for the appre
hension of such fugitive from service or
labor, or by seizing and arresting such fu
gitive, where the same can be done with
out process, and by taking, or causing
such person to he taken, forthwith before
such court, judge, or commissioner, whose
dvtjr it shall Ife to hear and determine the
case of such claimant in a summary man
ger ; and upon satisfactory proof lieing
made, by deposition or affidavit, in wri
ting, to be taken and certified hy such
court, judge, or commissioner, or byntfter
satisfactory testimony, duly taken and cer
titled by some courl, magistrate, justice of
the peace, or other legal officer authorized
to administer an oath and take deposition*
under the laws of the State or Territory
from which such person owing service or
labor may have escaped, with a certificate
of such magistrate or other authority, as
aforesaid, with the seal oi l lie proper court
or officer thereto attached, which seal
shall lie sufficient to establish the compe
tency of the proof, and with proof, also by
affidavit, of the identity of the person
whose service or labor is claimed to be
due, as aforesaid, that the person so ?r
resied does in fact owe service or labor to
the person or persons claiming him or her,
in the State or Territory from which such
fugitive may have escaped as aforesaid,
and that said person escaped, to make out
and deliver to such claimant, his or her
agent or attorney, a certificate setting
forth the substantial facts us to the service
or labor due from such fugitive to the
claimant, and of his or her escape from the
Stale or Territory in which such service or
labor was due, to the State or Territory iu
which he or she was arrested, with author
ity to such claimant, or his or her agent or
attorney, to use such reasonable force and
restraint as may be necessary, under the
circumstances of the case, to take aud re
move such fugitive person back to the
State or Territory whence he or she may
have escaped as aforesaid. fn no trial
or hearing, under this act, shall the testi
mony of such alleged fugitive be admitted
in evidence; and the certificates in this
and the first section mentioned shall be
conclusive of the right of the person or
persons in whose favor granted, to remove
such fugitive to the State or Territory from
which he escaped, aud shall prevent all
molestation of such person or persons, by
any process issued by any court, judge,
magistrate, or other person, whomsoever.
Sec. 7. Jlnd be it further enacted, That
any person who shall knowingly and will
ingly obstruct, hinder, or prevent such
claimant, hjs agent or attorney, or any
person or persons lawfully assisting him,
her, or them, from arresting such a fugi
tive from service or labor, either with or
without process as aforesaid ; or shall res
cue or attempt to rescue such fugitive from
service or labor, from the custody of such
claimant, his or her agent or attorney, or
other person or persons lawfully assisting
as aforesaid, when so arrested, pursuant
to the authority herein given and declared ;
or shall aid, abet, or assist such person so
owing service or labor as aforesaid, directly
or indirectly, to escape from such claim
ant, his agent or attorney, or other person
or persons legally authorized as aforesaid ;
or shall harbor or conceal such fugitive,
so as to prevent the discovery and arrest
of such person, after notice or knowledge
of the fact that such person was a fugitive
from service or labor as aforesaid, shall,
for either of said offences, be subject to a
fine not exceeding one thousand dollars,
and imprisonment not exceeding six
months, by indictment and conviction be
? fore the district court of the United States
for the district in which such offence may
have been committed, or before the prop
er court of criminal jurisdiction, if com
mitted within any one of the organized
Territories of the United States; and shall
moreover forfeit and pay, by way of civil
damages to the party injured by such illegal
conduct, the sum of one thousand dollars
for each fugitive so lost as aforesaid, to l>e
recovered by action of debt, in any of the
district or territorial courts aforesaid, within
whose jurisdiction the said offence may
have lieen committed.
Skc. S. Jind be it further enacted, That
the marshals, and their deputies, and the
clerks of the said district and territorial
courts, shall be paid for their services the
like fees as may be allowed to them for
similar services in other cases; and where
such services are rendered exclusively in
the arrest, custody, aud delivery of the
fugitive to the claimant, his or her agent
or attorney, or where such sup|M>sed fugi
tive may In- discharged out of custody for
the want ol sufficient proof .is aforesaid,
then such fees are to be paid iu the whole
by such claimant, his agent or attorney
and iu all cases where the proceedings
are before a commissioner, fie shall be
entitled to a fee of ten dollars in full for
his services iu each case, upon the delivery
of the said certificate to the claimant, his
or her agent or attorney ; or a fee of five
dollars in cases where the proof shall not,
in the opinion of such commissioner,
w arrant such certificate aud delivery, iu
< lusive o| all Mcrvices incident to such ar
rest and examination, to Ih? paid in either
! c.a?c by the claimant, his or her agent or
attorney. I he |>er*ou or peraons author
ized to execute the process to Ik> issued
by such commissioners, for the arrest and
detention of fugitives from service or Isbor
as aforesaid, shall also be entitled to a fee
of five dollars each for each person he or
they may arrest and take before any such
commissioner as aforesaid, at the instance
and request of such claimant; with such
other fees as may lie deemed reasonable
by such commissioner for such other ad
ditional services as may be uecessiirily
performed by him or them-; such as at
tending at the examination, keeping the
fugitive iu custody, and providing him with
food and lodging during his detention,
and until the final determination of such
commissioner: and in general for perform
ing such other duties as may be required
by such claimant, his or her attorney or
agent, or commissioner in the premises,
such fee* to lie made up in conformity
with the fees usually charged by the offi
cers of the courts of justice within the
proper district or county, as near as may
be practicable, and paid by such claimants,
their agents or attorneys, whether such
supposed fugitives from service or labor be
ordered to be delivered to such claimants
by the final determination of such com
missioner or not. ,
See. 9. And be it further enacted, That
upon affidavit made by the claimant of
such fugitive, his agent or attorney, after
such certificate has l>een issued, that he
has reason to apprehend that snch fugitive
will l?e rescued by force from his or their
possession before he can be taken beyond
the limits of the State in which the anest
" nwde, it shall l>e the duty of the officer
making the arrest to retain such fugitive in
his custody, and to remove him to the
Slate whence he ffeH, and there to de
liter him to said claimant, his agent or
attorney. And to this end, the officer
aforesaid is hereby authorized and requir
ed to employ so many persons as he may
deem necessary to overcome such force,
and to retain them in his service so long
as circumstances may require. The said
officer ami his assistants, while ho employ
ed, to receive the same compensation,
and to he allowed die same expenses, as
are now allowed hy law for transportation
of criminals, to he certified hy the judge
of the district within which the arrest is
made, and paid out of the treasury of tho
United States.
Sec. 10. And be it furt/wr enacted, That
when any person held to service or labor
in any State or Territory, or in the District
of Columbia, shall escape therefrom, the
party to whom such service or labor shall
be due, his, her, or their agent or attorney,
may apply to any court of record therein,
or judge thereof in vacation, and make
satisfactory proof to such court, or judge
in vacation, of the escape aforesaid, and
that the person escaping owed service or
labor to such party. Whereupon, the
court shall cause a record to be made of
the matters so proved, and also a general
description of the person so escaping,
with such convenient certainty as inay be;
and a transcript of such record, authenti
cated by the attestation of the clerk and
of tho seal of the said court, being pro
duced in any other State, Territory, or
District, in which the person so escaping
may h.c found, and being exhibited to any
judge, commissioner, or other officer au
thorized by the law of the United States
to cause persons escaping from service or
labor to be delivered up, shall be held and
taken to be full and conclusive evidence
of the fact of escape, and that the service
or labor of the person escaping is due to
the party in such record mentioned. And
upon the production by the said party of
other uud further evidence, if necessary,
either oral or by affidavit, in addition to
what is contained in the said record, of
the identity of the person escaping, he or
she shall be delivered up to the claimant.
And the said court, commissioner, judge,
or other person authorized by this act to
grant certificates to claimants of fugitive*,
shall, upon the production of the record
and other evidences aforesaid, grant to
such claimant a certificate of his right to
take any such person identified and proved
to be owing service or labor as aforesaid,
which certificate shall authorize such
claimant to seize or arrest, and transport
such person to the State or Territory from
which he escaped; Prmrided, That noth
ing herein contained shall be construed
as requiring the production of a transcript
of such record as evidence as aforesaid.
But in its absence, the claim shall be heard
and determined upon other satisfactory
|rroofs, competent in law.
Howell Cobb,
Speaker of the House of Representative*.
William R. King,
President of the Senate pro tempore.
Approved, Sept. 18, 1850.
Millard Fillmore
INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.
ADOPTED AT PITTSBURGH, AUGUST 12, 186J.
Having assembled in National Convenr
tion as the delegates of the Free Democra
cy of the United States, united by a com
mon resolve to maintain right against
wrongs, and freedom against slavery; con
fiding in the intelligence, patriotism, and
the 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 prin
ciples and measures:
I. 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
were endowed by their Creator, and of
, which none can be deprived by valid legis
lation, except for crime.
II. 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, with
out sectional discriminations, of Uie fun
damental principles of equal rights, strict
justice, aud economical administration.
III. That the Federal Government is
one of limited powers, derived solely from
the Constitution ; and the grants of power
therein ought to lie strictly construed by
all the departments and agents of the Gov
ernment, and it is inexpedient aud dan
gerous to exercise doubtful constitutional
powers.
IV. That the Constitution of the United
States, ordained to form a more perfect
union, to cxtablish justice, and secure the
blessings of lilterty, expressly denies to
the (tcneral Government all power to de
prive any person of life, liberty, or prop
erty, 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 sla
very than to establish monarchy, should at
once proceed to reliere itself from all re
sponsibility for the existence of slavery
wherever it possesses constitutional power
to legislate for its extinction.
V. That, to the persevering and impor
tunate demands of the Slave Power for
more slave 8tates, new slave Territories,
and the nationalisation of Slavery, our dis
tinct and final answer is?no more slave
States, no slave Territory, no nationalized
Slavery, and no national legislation for the
extradition of slaves.
VI. That Slavery is a sin against God
and a crime against man, which no human
enactment nor upage can make right; and
that Christianity, humanity, and patriotism,
alike demand its abolition.
VII. That the fugitive 8lave Act of 1860
is repugnant to the Constitution, to the
principles of the common law, to the
spirit of Christianity, and to tlie senti
ments of the civilized world. We there
fore deny its binding fore# upon the
American People, and demand its imme
diate and total repeal.
VIII. That the doctrine that any human
law is a finality, and not subject to modi
fication or repeal, is not in arcordanre
with the creed of the founders of our Gov- |
eminent, and it> dangerous to the liberties |
of the people.
IX. That the acts of Congress known
a* the Compromise Measures of 1850, by
making the admission of a sovereign State
contingent upon the adoption ?>f other
measures demanded by the special inter
est of Slavery ; by their omission to guar
anty freedom in free Territories; by their
attempt to impose unconstitutional limit
ations on the power of Congress ami the
people to admit new States ; by their pro
visions for the assumption ol live niulioiis
of the State debt of Texas, and for the.
payment of five millions more, and the
cession of h large territory to the same
Suite under menace, as an inducement to
the (elinquishineut of a groundless claim,
and by their invasion ol the sovereignty
of the States and the liberties of the pen- i
pie, through the enactment ol an unjust,
oppressive, ahd unconstitutional Fugitive
Slave Law, are proved to he inconsistent
with all the principles and maxims ol De
mocracy, and wholly inadequate to the
settlement of the questions of which they
are claimed to be an adjustment.
X. That no permanent settlement of >
the Slavery question can be looked for,
except iu the practical recognition ol^ the
truth that Slavery is sectional, and t ree
dom national; by the total separation of
the General Government from Slavery, and
the exercise of its legitimate and consti
tutional influence on the side of 1* reedom;
and by leaving to the States the whole
subject of Slavery and the extradition of
fugitives from service.
XI. That all men have a natural right to
a portion of the 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.
XII. That the public lands of the Uni
ted Slates belong to the people, and should
not be sold to individuals nor granted to
corporations, but should be held as a sa
cred trust for the benefit of the people,
and should be granted in limited quanti
ties, free of cost, to landless settlers.
XIII. That a dqe regard for the Federal
Constitution, and sound administrative
policy, demand that the funds of the Gen
eral Government be kept separate from
banking institutions; that inland and
ocean postage should be reduced to the
lowest possible point; that no more reve
nue should be raised than is required to
defray the strictly necessary expenses of
the public service, aqd to pay off the pub
lic debt; and that the power and patron
age of the Government should be dimin
ished 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 business.
XIV. That river and harbor improve
j ments, when necessary to the safety and
convenience of commerce with foreign
nations or among the several States, are
objects of natioual concern, ami it is the
duty of Congress, in the exercise of its
constitutional powers, to provide for the
same. i
JCV. That emigrants and exiles from j
the Old World should find a cordial wel
come 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 j
ought to be resisted with inflexible deter- j
inination.
XVI. That every nation has a clear
right to alter or change its< own Govern- j
inent, and to administer its own concerns
in such manner as may best secure the
rights and promote the happiness of the
j people; and foreign interference with
that right is a dangerous violation of the
law of nations, against which all independ
ent Government* should protest, and en
deavor by all proper means to prevent;
and esj?ecially is it the duty of the Ameri
can Government, representing the chief
Republic of the world, to protest against,
and by all proper means to prevent, j
the intervention of Kings and Emperors
against nations seeking to establish for
themselves republican or constitutional
Governments.
XVII. That the independence of Hayti
ought to lie recognised by our Govern
ment, and onr commercial relation!* with
it plrfced on the footing of the most favor
ed nation*.
XVIII. That as, Its the Constitution,
" the citizen* of each Stale shall lie en
titled to all privileges and immunities of
citizens of the several States," the prac- !
tice of imprisoning rolored seamen of
oilier States, while the vessels to which
they belong lie in port, nnd refusing to
exercise the right to hriug such cases lie- ;
fore the Supreme Court of the United I
States, to test the legality of such pro
ceedings, is a flagrant violation of the
Constitution, and an invasion of the rights
of the citizens of otther States, utterly in
consistent with the professions made by
the slaveholders, thai they wish the pro
visions of the Constitution faithfully oli- ,
served by every State iu the Union.
XIX. That we recommend the intro
duction into all treaties, hereafter to be
negotiated between the United Stales and
foreign nations, of some provision for the
amicable settlement of difficulties by a re
sort to decisive arbitration.
XX. That the Free Democratic party is j
not organized to aid either the Whig or
Democratic wing of the great Slave Com
promise party of the nation, but to defeat
them both; and that repudiating and re
nouncing lioth, as hopelessly corrupt, and
utterly unworthy of confidence, the pur
pose of the Free Democracy is to take
possession of the Federal Government,
and administer it for the better protection
of the rights and intercut* of the whole
people. " %
XXI. That we inscribe on our banner,
Free Sott., Free Speech, F*|e Labor,
and Free Men, and under it will 6ght on
and fight ever, until a triumphant victory
shall reward our exertions.
XXII. That opon this Platform the Con
vention presents to the American People,
as a candidate for the office of President
of the United State*, Joh* P. Hate, of
New Hampshire, and aa a candidate for
the office of Vice President of the United
States, George W. Julian, of Indiana,
and earnestly commends them to the sup
port of all fieemen and parties.
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM. -
ADOPTED AT BALTIMORE, JUNK I, 1851
I. Resolved, That the American Democ
racy place (heir trust ill the intelligence,
the patriotism, and the discriminating jus
tice of the American people.
II. Resolved, That we regard this as a
distinctive feature of our political creed,
which we are proud to maintian belore
the world as the great moral element in a
form of government springing from and
upheld by the popular will; and we con
trast it with the creed and practice of
Federalism, under whatever name or form,
which seeks to palsy the will of the con
stituent, and which conceives no impos
ture too monstrous for the public cre
dulity.
III. Resolved, thtvefore, That, entertain
ing these views, the Democratic party of
this Union, through their delegates assem
bled in a General Convention, coming j
together in a spirit of concord, of devotion
to the doctrines and faith of n free repre
sentative Government, and appealing to
their fellow-citizens for the rectitude of
their intentions, renew aud reassert before
the American people the declarations of
principles avowed by them when, on
former occasions, in General Convention,
they have presented their candidates for
the popular suffrages:
1. That the Federal Government is one
of limited powers, derived solely from the
Constitution, aud the grants of power
therein ought to be strictly construed by
all the departments and agents of the Gov
ernment; and that it is inexpedient and
dangerous to exercise doubtful constitu
tional powers.
2. That the Constitution does not con
fer upon the General Government the
power to commence and carry on a gen
eral system of internal improvements.
3. That the Constitution does not con
fer authority upon the Federal Govern
ment, directly or indirectly, to assume the
debts of the several States, contracted for
local and internal improvements, or other
State purposes; nor would such assump
tion he just or expedient.
4. That justice and sound policy forbid
the Federal Government to foster one
branch of industry to the detriment of any
other, or to cherish the interests of one
portion to the injury of another portiou of
our common country ; that every citizen,
mid every section of the country, has a
right to demand and insist upon an equal
ity of rights and privileges, and to com
plete and ample protection of persons and
property from domestic violence or foreign
aggression.
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
ought to be raised than is required to de
fray the necessary expenses of the Gov
ernment, and for the gradual but certain
extinction of the public debt.
6. That Congress has no power to
charter a National Bank ; that we believe
such an institution one of deadly Ijostility
to the bests interests of the couutry, dan
gerous to our republican institutions and
the liberties of the people, and calculated
to place the business of the couutry within
the control of a concentrated money
power, aud above the laws and the will of
the people; and that the results of Dem
ocratic legislation, iu this and all other
financial measures upon which issues have
been made between the two political par
ties of the country, have demonstrated, to
candid and practical men, of all parties,
their soundness, safety, and utility, in all
business pursuits.
7. That the separation of the moneys
of the Government from banking institu
tions is indispensable for the safety of the
funds of the Government and the rights of
the people.
N. That the liberal principles emlmdied
by Jcfl'erson iu the Declaration of Inde
pendence, and sanctioned in the Consti
tution, which makes ours the fond of lib
erty and the asylum of the oppressed of
every nation, have ever been cardinal prin
ciples in tlie Democratic faith ; and every
attempt to abridge the privilege of Im?
coming citizens and tlie owners of soil
among us, ought to be resisted with the
same spirit which swept the alien aud se
dition law* from our statute books.
9. That Congress has no power under
the Constitution to interfere with or con
trol the domestic institutions of the sev
eral States, and that such Stales are the
sole ami proper judges of everything ap
pertaining to their own affairs, not prohib
ited by the Constitution; that all efTorts
of the Al?olitioiiisls or others, made to in
duce Congress to interfere with questions
of slavery, or to take incipient steps iu re
lation thereto, are calculated to lead to
the most alarming aud dangerous conse
quences ; and that all such efTorts have an
inevitable tendency to diminish the happi
ness of Ihe people and endanger tlie sta
bility and permanency of the Union, and
ought not to be countenanced by any
friend of our political institutions.
IV. Rr solved, I'hat the foregoing prop
osition covers and was intended to em
brace tlie whole subject of slavery agitation
in Congress; and therefore the Demo
cratic party of the Union, standing on this
national platform, will abide by and adhere
to a faithful execution of the acts known
as the Compromise measures settled by the
last Congress, " the act for reclaiming fu
gitives from service or labor," included ;
which act, being designed to carry out an
express provision of the Constitution, can
not with fidelity thereto l>e repealed or so
changed as to destroy or impair its effi
ciency.
V. Resolved, That the Democratic party
will resist all attempts at renewing, in
Congress or out of it, the agitation of the
Slavery question, tinder whatever shape or
color the attempt may be made.
VI. Resolved, That the proceeds of the
public lands ought to l*e sacredly applied
to the national objects specified in the
Constitution; am] that we are opposed to
any law for the distribution of sttch pro
ceeds among the States, as alike inexpe
dient in policy and repugnant to the Con
stitution.
VII. Resolved, That we are decidedly
opposed to taking from the President the
qualified veto power, by which he i* ena
bled, under restrictions and resporrsibilities
amply sufficient to guard the public inter- I
est, to (suspend Che passage of a bill whose
merits cannot secure the approval ol two
thirds of the Senate and House of Repre
sentatives until the judgment of the people
can be obtained thereon, and which has
saved the American people from the cor
rupt and tyrannical domination of the
Bank of the United States, and from a
corrupting system of general internal im
provements. #
VIII. Resolved, That the Democratic
party will faithfully abide by and uphold
the principles laid down in the Kentucky
and Virginia resolutions of 1798, and in
the report of Mr. Madison to the Virginia
Legislature in 1799; that it adopts those
principles Is constituting one of the main
foundations of its political creed, and is
resolved to carry them out in their obvious
meaning and import.
IX. Resolved, That the war with Mex
ico, upon all the principles of patriotism
and the laws of nations, was a just and
necessary war on our part, in which every
American citizen should have shown him
self on the Fide of his country, and neither
morally nor physically, by word or deed,
have given "aid and comfort to the
enemy."
X. Resolved, That we rejoice at the res
toration of friendly relations with oursister
Republic of Mqxico, and earnestly desire for
her all the blessings and prosperity which
we enjoy under republican institutions;
and we congratulate the American people
upon the results of that war, which hare
so manifestly justified the policy and con
duct of the Democratic party, and insured
to the United States " indemnity for the
past and Hecurity for the future."
XI. Resolved, That, in view of the con
dition of popular institutions in the Old
World, a high and sacred duty is devolved,
with increased responsibility, upon the
Democratic party of this country, as the
party of the people, to uphold and maintain
the rights of every State, and thereby the
Union of the States, and to sustain and
advance among us constitutional liberty,
by continuing to resist all monopolies and
exclusive legislation for the benefit of the
lew at the expense of the many, and by a
vigilant and constant adherencf to those
principles and compromises of the Con
stitution which are broad enough and
strong enough to embrace and uphold the
Union as it was, the Union as it is, and
the Union as it shall be, in the full expan
sion of the energies and capacity of this
great and progressive people.
? THE WHIG PLATFORM.
ADOPTED AT BALTIMORE, JUNE 8, 1852.
The Whigs of the United States, in
Convention assembled, firmly adhering to
the great conservative republican princi
ples by which they are controlled and gov
erned, and now, as ever, relying upon the
intelligence of the American people, with
an abidiug confidence in their capacity for
self-government and their continued devo
tion to the Constitution and the Union,
do proclaim the following as the political
sentiments and determinations, for the
establishment and maintenance of which
their national organization as a party is
effected :
I. The Government of the United States
is of limited character, and it is confined
to the exercise of powers expressly granted
by the Constitution, and such as may lie
necessary and proper for carrying the
granted powers into full execution, and
that all powers not thus granted or neces
sarily implied are expressly reserved to
the States respectively and to the people.
II. The State Governments should be
held secure in their reserved rights, and
the General Government sustained iu its
constitutional powers, and the Uniou
should be revered and watched over as
" the palladium of our liberties."
III. That while struggling freedom,
everywhere, enlists the warmest sympathy
of the Whig party, we still adhere to the
doctriues of the Father of his Country, as
announced in hi* Farewell Address, of
keeping ourselves free from all entangling
alliances with foreign countries, and of
never quitting our own to stand upon for
eign ground. That our mission as a Re
public is net to propagate our opinions,
or impose on other countries onr form of
government, by artifice or force, but to
teach by example, and show by our suc
cess, moderation, and justice, the bless
ings of self-government and the advan
tages of free institutions.
IV. "That where the people make and
control the Government, they should obey
its constitution, laws, and treaties, as they
would retain their self-respect, and the re
spect which they claim and will enforce
from foreign powers.
V. Government should l>e conducted
upon principles of the strictest economy,
and revenue sufficient for the expenses
thereof, in time of peace, ought to be
mainly derived from a duty on imports,
and not from direct taxei; and, in levying
such duties, sound policy requires a just
discrimination and protection from fraud
by specific duties, when practicable,
whereby suitable encouragement may be
assured to Aiiiericau industry, equally to
all classes and to all portions of the conn
try.
VI. The Constitution vests in Congress
the power to open and repair harbors, and
remove obstructions from navigable rivers;
and it is expedient that Congress shall ex
ercise that power whenever such improve
ments are necessary fur the common defence
or for the, protection ami facility of com
merce with foreign nations or among the
States ; such improvements being, in every
instance, national and general in their
character.
VII. The Federal and State Govern
ments are parts of one system, alike ne
cessary for the commo" prosperity, peace,
and security, and ought to lie regarded
alike with a cordial, habitual, and immova
ble attachment. Respect for the authority
of each, and acquiescence in the constitu
tional measures of each, are duties re
quired by the plainest considerations of
Nation*), of State, an^ individual welfare.
VIII. The series of acts of the 31st
Congress, commonly known as the Com
promise or Adjustment, (the act for the
recovery of fugitives from labor included,)
are received and acquiesced in by the
Whigs of the United Slates ns a final set
tlement, in principle and substance, of the
subjects to which they relate; and so far'
as these acts are concerned, we will main
tain them, and insist on their strict en
forcement, until lime and experience shall
demonstrate the necessity of further legis
lation to guard against the evasion of the
laws on the one hand, and the abuse of
their powers on the other, not impairing
their present efficiency to carry nut the
requirements of the Constitution ; and we
deprecate all further agitation of the ques
tions thus settled, as dangerous to our
peace, amj will discountenance all efforta
to continue or renew such agitation, when
ever, wherever, or however made; and we
will maintain this settlement as essential
to the nationality of the Whig party and
the integrity of the Union.
John (J. Chapman, o/Md.,
President of the Whig National Convention.
Tfio following in a list of the Free Dem
ocratic aud Anti-Slavery papers published in
the United States:
FREE DEMOCRATIC PRESS.
Innuirer, Portland, Me.; A. Willey *2 nor
InJ. Democrat, Concord, N. II.; U. G. L-W ?2
News, Keeue, N. II,; 8. Woodward; $1.25?' ?*
Democrat, Manchester, N. II.; J. JJ Goodule; $ 1 50
Messenger, Portsmouth, N. It.; T. J. Whittaii , $1.
Freeman, Montpelier, Vt.; D. I'. Thompson ? $2
Observer, Morrisvillc, Vt.; "J. A. Somerbv ? $| 15
Telegraph, Springfield. Vt.; L. T. W uerme'y 11 75
^.mwrat Urattleborough, Vt.; W. Nichols $ i .?*
Brandon Pout, Brandon, Vt.; P. Weleb; *1
Courier, Burlington, Vt.; G. C. Samson, $1.60.
^Te-kTy $2??^'"' M" ! J> U Bft,dwin<
Sentinel, North Adams, Ms.; A. D. Brook HI f.ft
American, Lowell, Ma; W. S. Robinson tri'wee'k *<t
News, Fitehburg Mm; K. F SI 60 ' $''
Kawx County Fwero?n, Salem, Ms.; J. Emwstts
seun-weekly, $3.50. nuuetej
lie publican, Greenfield, Ms.
Spy. Worcester, Mb.; J. M. Earle ? *2
Standard, New Bedford, Ma.
Courier, Northampton, Ms.
Gazette, Dedhain, Ms.; JJonry O. llildretb ? *2
; f S. 1UW.Z,;',f
Sentinel, Lawrence, Ms.; John Ryau A Co.* $2.
R^kila5riTf"ti 1Fre*'u,an' Evidence, R. I.; Crawford
Republican, Hartford, Ct.; BarUott k llawley; $1
Herald, Ellington, N. Y.; A. S. Brown.
ftST"'N Y ?" "
Spirit ofthe Age, Norwich. N.Y.: J D La?v?. *1
Wyoming Co. Mirror. Warsaw, N. V.; A bX' Si
Telegraph, Oneida, N. Y.; D. H. Frost *1 25 '
Banner ofthe Times, De Ruyter NY
NY. A.'N. Cole; $1.50.
(Werneur' New York; Mitchell k Hol
Herald, Jamestown, N. Y.
Canon League, Syracuse. N. Y.; J. Thomas, $1.5#.
?^1?,* p Bann?r . Chwy Valley, Pa.; Jonh B. Kins
jo^s,"ii.v?. >r
&?wtah.i?fl;i,.Mtu'bnrjh'p* ? J*~ a * wmi?
Fraeman Mercer, Pa.; W.T.Clark; $1.50
$l"o. Rri#' Pa : CauKh*J * MeCrway;
T'p Pw'ple's Journal, Coudersport, Potter county.
Pa., Dougall, Mann A Haskell^ $1.50
la^kli'IV| IW 4 **"?>? , daily
C'chu?n>f ||^doini Tndi*na. i Moorhead k Mc
**"*' PhiUde,phi,l> Pft-: F W. Thomas; dal
pSSU^SSS:^ &Hhb?< ?1M
v S"""4'0; Th"?"
j,,fi*r,on "d A<,htftb?'*. o.j w.
Democrat, Youngstown, 0.; M Cullo
Commercial, Cleveland, 0.: II. M. Addison ft I
?ri Chronicle, Warren, 0.; E. 0. How
T*Hr?ph, Painsville. 0.; Gray k DoolltUe 11
?".ST* M<'"" " ? oC? i Thrall;
Impendent Democrat, Rlyria, O.; Philemon Bliss;
Columbian. Columbus, 0.; L L. Rice.
Frae Democrat Chajdon, O.; J. ? Wright; $1.
w ? Lyinan W. Hall: $l io
$Tm? Freedoni' ^''?ningt??nt O.; J. W. Chaffla;
True Republican. Greenfield. 0.
William* Democrat. West ITnity, o.; Wm. A Hunter.
PS5. ^SSStx1^^ Mkh : 8 H ?^er, dally
Free Democrat, Indiana|>oli*, Ind.; R. Vaile, $1 50.
Western Citiien, Chicago, III.; Z. C. Kastman; dail*
and weekly. '
Journal, SnaHa, III.; I. S. Coulter; $1 25
Western Freeman. Galesburg, III., W J Lane il
Standard, Freeport. Ill ' U*n*' fa*
PT$J*w^kiy Wi" ? 8 M Booth, dal
TelegraiA, Knu.-ha, Wis.; Kboles k Frank ; $2.
Free Press, Jauesville, Wis.; Joseph Baker, $1.50.
Free Press SheUygan Falls. Wis., J. A Smith $1
Advocate, Racine, Wis.; C.Cletaefti*; $2.
Kentucky News, Newport. Ky.; W. S Railey, $1
True Demacrat, Mount Pleasant, Iowa; J W Howe;
f ? W
Der Demokrat, Davenport, Iowa; Th. GuHrh, $2.
Pacillc Statesman, San Francisco, Cal.; J. II l'urdy.
National Demokrat, Washington. D. C.; Fred
Schmidt, editor, Buell k lUaachard, publishers, $X
ANTI-SLAVF.RY PRESS
Liberator, Boston, Ms.; Wm Lloyd Garrison, $2.50.
rr"Mmn- Philailelphia, Pa ; C. M. Bur
N^i<Ul\'.AntJ ;'!,mrerj Standard, New York, N. Y.i
8. H. Gay k K. Qnincy; $2
Anti-Slavery Butfe. Salem, 0 ; M. K Robin*,*., $1 50.
\ oioe <?f the Fugitive. *
BUKLL A BLANCOAKD. WASHINGTON, D. 0.
k?f* now m4; for <iolivary
MMIIlKli PBKKIKA;
oa,
THK SOVKKKTON KULX OV SOOTH CAROLINA;
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incident* connected with tke imprUonmeot, in 1H&1,
of Manual Pereira. steward of the Britiah brt* Jan
con, in tka jail of Cbarteaton. 8. 0.
The following notioa of tkia work la copied from the
Nmtioma! Mr" uf V?l?r*ary 17;
"Tka above ia tha titfa of a work now in pre*,
founded upon tkat infiamona aUtnte of South Can .linn,
by which ner cititena olaim a right to iinpriaon fwforwl
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vance of iU publication, and find tkat it giraa a life
lika picture of I'ereira, tha veaeel in which ha Bailed,
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whan brought into tha port of Charleston. 8. C.; to
gether with tha iiuprtaoament of IVreira, aavarnl aaa>
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Ohariaaton police, and tha meadaeitjr of eartain ?B
eiala, who mnka tha law n medium of papulation. Tha
work ia replete with incident* of Southern life and
character, pointing Southerner* to the thinga that cnll
for oorreetiwn at their own handa, with a force that
ennnot be miataken. The work ia written l>v one who
baa taken a prominent part in the affair* of tke South,
and cannot fail U> intereat alike tke general reader,
commercial man, and philanthmplat."
Tha above work can be obtained, at wkoleoal*
price*, from
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And from the publiahera,
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