DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM 1860

1. Resolved, That we, the Democracy of the Union in Convention
   assembled, hereby declare our affirmance of the resolutions unanimously
   adopted and declared as a platform of principles by the Democratic
   Convention at Cincinnati, in the year 1856, believing that Democratic
   principles are unchangeable in their nature, when applied to the
   same subject matters; and we recommend, as the only further resolutions,
   the following:

2. Inasmuch as difference of opinion exists in the Democratic party as to
   the nature and extent of the powers of a Territorial Legislature, and as
   to the powers and duties of Congress, under the Constitution of the
   United States, over the institution of slavery within the Territories,

   Resolved, That the Democratic party will abide by the decision
   of the Supreme Court of the United States upon these questions of
   Constitutional Law.

3. Resolved, That it is the duty of the United States to afford ample and
   complete protection to all its citizens, whether at home or abroad, and
   whether native or foreign born.

4. Resolved, That one of the necessities of the age, in a military,
   commercial, and postal point of view, is speedy communications between
   the Atlantic and Pacific States; and the Democratic party pledge such
   Constitutional Government aid as will insure the construction of a
   Railroad to the Pacific coast, at the earliest practicable period.

5. Resolved, that the Democratic party are in favor of the acquisition
   of the Island of Cuba on such terms as shall be honorable to ourselves
   and just to Spain.

6. Resolved, That the enactments of the State Legislatures to defeat the
   faithful execution of the Fugitive Slave Law, are hostile in character,
   subversive of the Constitution, and revolutionary in their effect.

8. Resolved, That it is in accordance with the interpretation of
   the Cincinnati platform, that during the existence of the Territorial
   Governments the measure of restriction, whatever it may be, imposed
   by the Federal Constitution on the power of the Territorial Legislature
   over the subject of the domestic relations, as the same has been, or
   shall hereafter be finally determined by the Supreme Court of the United
   States, should be respected by all good citizens, and enforced with
   promptness and fidelity by every branch of the general government.

June 18, 1860.