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 THE PAST AND PRESENT-FREEDOM NATIONAL, SLAVERY SECTIONAL. 
 
 all 
 
 A DOCUMENT 
 
 FOE THE PEOPLE. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 \ 1. —Declaration of Inbependence, and the Names of the Signers. 
 ; 2.— Constitution of the United States, and the Amendments. 
 ^ 3. — The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850. 
 
 4.— Democratic Platform, adopted at Baltimore, June, 1852. 
 
 5. Whig Platform, adopted at Baltimore, June, 1852. 
 
 : 6.— Independent Democratic Platform, adopted at Pittsburgh, Aug., IS^z. 
 
 AND 
 
 7.— SPEECH OF HONORABLE CHAR£E^ ^UMNER, 
 on his motion to 
 
 REPEAL THE FUGITIVE SLA'tE BILL. 
 
 WASHINGTON", D. C. 
 
 BUELL & BLANCHARD, PRINTERS. 
 
 1853. 
 
Class r4 2^ 
 Book 
 
 .-^-^ 
 
 ^^ 
 
THE PAST AND PRESCNT. 
 
 A DOCUMEInT for THE PEOPLE. 
 
 DECLAEATIOX OF IX'DEPENDENCE. 
 
 ADOPTED JULY 4, 177C. 
 
 When, ill ihe courst^ of hutnau events, it be- 
 comes neces«-.iry lor one people to dissolve the 
 poiilical bands ;vliicli have connected them 
 With another, and to assume, among the pow- 
 ers of ihe e.irlh, the separate and equal staiion 
 to which the lawu ol nature and of nature's 
 Gud entitle theiu, a Uecenl respect to the opin- 
 ions of mankind recjuiies that lh<^y shoula de- 
 cl.ue (he causes whiv;h impel them to the sepa- 
 ration. 
 
 We hold these truths to be self-evident : that 
 all men are created equal; that they are en- 
 dowed by their Creator with ci-rtain unalien- 
 able rij^hts : that among these, are ;ile, liberty, 
 and the pursuit of happiness; that to securt 
 these rights, governn)ents are instituted aiiioni; 
 nii'ti, derivmg liicir just powers from the con- 
 setit of the governed ; that whriiever any ion;, 
 of government becomes destructive ot thest 
 ends, it is the right of the pt'ople to alter or ic 
 abolish it. and to institute a new government, 
 laying its foundation on such principles, am^ 
 ori^amzing its powers in such lorm, as ii. 
 them shall se(>m most likely to effect their sale- 
 ty and hai)piness. Prudence, indeed, will dic- 
 tate lliat governments long established shook 
 not be changed lor light and transient causes 
 and, accordingly, ail experience hnih sh'-uvi; 
 that mankind are more disposed to sulier, whilt 
 evils are sulTeraijIe, than to right themselves b\ 
 abjlishing the forms to which they are accus- 
 lomtd. But, when a long train of abuses and 
 usurpations, pursuing invariably the same ob- 
 je'-t. evinces a design to reduce them undei 
 a!>solute despotism, U is their right, it is theii 
 duly, to throw oil" such government, and to 
 provide new guards for tiieir future security. 
 Sucli has been the patient sufferance of these 
 colonies, and such is now the necessity which 
 constrains them to alter their former systems ol 
 Government. The iiislory of the present Kini 
 ol Great Britain is a history of repealed injurie- 
 and usurpations, all having, ia directobject, th' 
 establishment of an absolute tyranny over thesf 
 Slates. To prove this, let facts be submitted u 
 a candid world : 
 
 He has refused his assent to laws the mos 
 wholesome and necessary for the public good. 
 
 lie has tbrbidden iiis governors to pa^s lau- 
 of iiumediale and pressing importance, unless 
 
 suspended in their operation till his assent 
 should be ob'.ained : and wiien so suspended, 
 he has utterly neglected to attend to them. 
 
 He has refused to pass other laws for the 
 accommodatioti of large districts of peopb-, un- 
 less those people would relinqijiish the right of 
 representation in the legi^laIure: a right ines- 
 liaiabie to them, and formidable to tyrants only. 
 
 He has c;i!ifd together i.gisialive l.'odies at 
 placi\s unusual, uncomrortable,and distant from 
 the depository of their public records, lor the 
 '•oie purpose of fatiguing them into compliance 
 with his Pleasures. 
 
 He has dissolved representative houses re- 
 ocatedly. lor opposing, with manly tlrrnness, 
 his invasions on the rights of the peopK-. 
 
 He has refused, ibr a long lime after such 
 lissolutions, to cause others to be el-'Cied ; 
 whereby th.e legislative powers, incapable of 
 innihilatiofi. have returneil to the [>eorde at 
 large for their exercise; the fc'tate rennaiuing. 
 in the mean time, exposed to all the danger of 
 invasion from without, and convulsions wiihin. 
 
 He !ias endeavured to prevent the population 
 )f thfse States; for that purpose, oijstriiciing 
 ihe laws for naturalization of ibreiguers ; re- 
 cusing to pass others to encournge their iiegra- 
 uon hither; and raising the conditions of new 
 ippropriations of lands. 
 
 He has obstructed the administration of jus- 
 iice, by refusing his assent to laws for estab- 
 listiing judiciary powers. 
 
 He lias made judges dependent on his will 
 alone for the tenure of their offices, and the 
 amount and payment of their salaries. 
 
 He has erected a multitude of new offices, 
 and sent hither swarms of officers, to harass 
 our people and eat out their substance. 
 
 He has kept among us, in times of peace, 
 standing armies, without the consent of our 
 legislature. 
 
 He has affected to render the military inde- 
 pendent of, and superior to, the civil power. 
 
 He has combined, with others, to subject us 
 to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, 
 uid unacknowledged by our laws; giving his 
 issent to their acts of piretended legislation : 
 
 For quartering large bodies of armed troops 
 uiiong us ; 
 
 For protecting them, by a mock trial, from 
 junishment for any murders which ihey should 
 ;ommit on the inhabitants of these Slates; 
 
 For cutting qIY our trade with ail parts of 
 the vvorld j 
 
' <?iA 
 
 For imposing taxes on us without our con- 
 sent ; 
 
 For depriving us, in many cases, of the ben- 
 efits of trial by jury; 
 
 For transportmg us Ijeyond seas, to be tried 
 for pretended offences ; 
 
 For abolishing the free system of English 
 laws in a neighboring province, establishing 
 therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging 
 its boundaries, so as to render it at once an ex- 
 ample and lit instrument for introducing the 
 same absolute rule into these colonies ; 
 
 For taking away our charters, abolishing 
 our most valuable laws, and altering funda- 
 mentally the powers of our governments; 
 
 For suspending our own legislatures, and 
 declaring themselves invested with power to 
 legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 
 
 He has abdicated government here, by de- 
 claring us out of his protection, and waging 
 war against us. 
 
 He has plundered our seas, ravaged our 
 coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the 
 lives of our people. 
 
 He is, at this time, transporting large armies 
 of Ibreign mercenaries, to complete the works 
 of death, desolation, and tyranny, already be- 
 gun, with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy 
 scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, 
 and totally unworthy the head of a civilized 
 nation. 
 
 He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken 
 captive on the high seas, to bear arms against 
 their country, to become the executioners of 
 their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves 
 by their hands. 
 
 Hehasexcited domestic insurrection among-st 
 us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabit- 
 ants of our frontiers the merciless Indian sav- 
 ages, whose known rule of warfare is an undis- 
 tinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and 
 conditions. 
 
 In every stage of these oppressions, we have 
 petitioned for redress in the most liumble terms ; 
 our repeated petitions have been answered only 
 oy repeated injury. A prince, whose character 
 is thus marked by every act which may define 
 a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free peo- 
 ple. 
 
 Nor have we been wanting in attention to 
 our British brethren. We have warned them, 
 from time to time, of attempts made by their 
 legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdic- 
 tion over us. We have reminded them of the 
 circumstances of our emigration and settlement 
 here. We have appealed to their native justice 
 and magnanimity , and we have conjured them, 
 by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow 
 these usurpations, which would inevitably in- 
 terrupt our connections and correspondence. 
 They, too, have been deaf to the voice of jus- 
 tice and consanguinity. We must, therefore, 
 acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces 
 our separation, and hold them, as we do the 
 rest of manldad, enemies in war — in peace, 
 friends. 
 
 We, therefore, the representatives of the 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in 
 GENERAL CONGRESS assembled, ajjpeal- 
 ing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the 
 rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and 
 by the authority of the g(juu people of these col- 
 onies, solemnly publish and declare, That these 
 United Colonies are, and of riglit ought lo be, 
 FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; 
 that they are absolved Irom all allegiance to 
 the British crown, and that all political connec- 
 tion between them and the Stale of Great Britain 
 is, and ought to he, totally dissolved ; and that, 
 as FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES, 
 they have full power to levy war, conclude 
 peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, 
 and to do all other acts and things which 
 INDEPENDENT STATES may of right do. 
 And, for the support of this declaration, with a 
 firm reliance on the protection of DIVINE 
 PROVIDENCE, we mutually pledge to each 
 other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred 
 
 ^^°'^°''- JOHN HANCOCK. 
 
 NEW HAIMPSHIRE. Johu, .RdcmiS, 
 
 Robert Treat Paine, 
 Elhridge Gemj. 
 
 DELAWARE. 
 
 Ccesar Rodney, 
 George Read, 
 TJiomas McKean. 
 
 Josiah Bartlett, 
 William Whipple, 
 Mattlicw Thornton. 
 
 RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 Stephen Hnpldns, 
 William EUcry. 
 
 CONNECTICUT. MARYLAND. 
 
 Roger Shernum, Samuel Chase, 
 Samuel Hnuliagton, William Paca, 
 JViUlam Williams, Thomas Stone, 
 Oliver Wolcott. Ciiarles Can-oil, 
 
 of Carrollton. 
 
 NEW YORK. 
 
 William Floyd, 
 Philip Livingston, 
 Francis Lewis, 
 Lewis Morris. 
 
 NEW JERSEY. 
 
 Richard Stockton, 
 John Withcrspoon, 
 Francis Hopkinson, 
 John Hart, 
 Abraham Clark. 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Robert Morris, 
 Benjamin Rush, 
 Benjamin Franklin, 
 John Morton, 
 George Chpner, 
 James Smith, 
 George Taylm-, 
 James Wilson, 
 George Ross. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS BAY. 
 
 Smnuel Mams, 
 
 VIRCilNlA. 
 
 George Wythe, 
 Richard Henry Lee, 
 Thomas Jefferson, 
 Benjamin Harnson, 
 Thonuis JYelson, jun., 
 Francis Ligldfoot Lee, 
 Carter Braxton. 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA. 
 
 William Hooper, 
 Joseph Hcwcs, 
 John Pcnn. 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA. 
 
 Edward Rutledgc, 
 Thomas Heyward,jun. 
 Thomas Lynch, jun., 
 Jirlhur Middleton. 
 
 GEORGIA. 
 
 Button Guinnett, 
 Lynuin Hall, 
 Geonre Walto7i. 
 
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 17, 1787, &c. 
 
 We the People of the United States, in order to 
 Ibrni a more perfect Union, establish jusiice, 
 insure domestic tranquillity, provide (or the 
 common defence, pron)ole the general wel- 
 lare, and secure the blessings of liberty to 
 ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and 
 establish this Constitution for the United 
 States ol' America. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 All Tiegislativo powers herein granted shall 
 be vested in a Congress of the United States, 
 which shall consist of a Senate and House of 
 Representatives. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 The House of Representatives shall be com- 
 posed of members chosen every second year 
 Ijy the people of the several States, and the 
 electors in each State shall have the qualifica- 
 tions re([uisile for electors of the most numer- 
 ous branch of the Slate Legislature. 
 
 No ])ersun shall be a Representative who 
 shall not have attained to the age of twenty- 
 five years, and been seven years a citizen of 
 the United States, and who shall not, when 
 elected, be an inhabitant of that State in which 
 he shall be chosen. 
 
 Re|)resent:uives and direct taxes shall be ap- 
 portioned among the several States whicii may 
 be included within this Union, according to 
 their respective numbers, which shall be de- 
 termined by adding to the whole number of 
 free persons, including those bound to service 
 for a term of years, and excluding Indians not 
 taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The 
 actual enumeration shall be made within three 
 years after the first meeting of the Congress of 
 the United States, and within every subsequent 
 farm of ten years, iu such manner as they shall 
 by law direct. The number of Representatives 
 shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, 
 but each State shall have at least one Repre- 
 sentative ; and until such enumeration shall be 
 made, the State ol' jVuw Hampshire shall be en- 
 titled to clioose three, Massachusetts eight, 
 Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, 
 Connecticut five. JVew York six, JSao Jersey 
 ibur, Pennst/lvania eight, Delaware one, Mary- 
 land six, tlrginia ten, JYm-th Carolina five. 
 South Carolina five, and Gemgia three. 
 
 Wli(!H vacancies happen in the representa- 
 tion from any State, the Executive authority 
 thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such 
 vai;ancies. 
 
 The House of Representatives shall choose 
 their Speaker and other officers ; and shall have 
 the sole power of impeachment. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 The Senate of the United States shall be 
 
 composed of two Senators from each State, 
 chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six years; 
 and each Senator shall have one vote. 
 
 Immediately after they shall be assembled iu 
 consequence of the first election, they shall iie 
 divided as equally as may be into three classes. 
 The seats of the Senators of the first class shall 
 be vacated at the expirat-Jon of the second year, 
 of the second class at th(> expiration of the 
 fourth year, and of tlie third class at the expi- 
 ration of the sixth year, so that one-third may 
 be chosen every second year ; and if vacancies 
 happen l)y resignation or otlierwise, during ilie 
 recess of the Legislature of any State, the Ex- 
 ecutive thereof may make temporary appoiiu- 
 ments. until the next meeting of the Legisla- 
 ture, which shall then fill such vacancies. 
 
 No person shall be a Senator who shall not 
 have attained to the age of thirty years, and 
 been nine years a citizen of the United States, 
 and who shall not, when elected, be an inhab- 
 itant of that State for which he shall be cho?en. 
 
 The Vice President of the United States shall 
 be President of the Senate, but shall have no 
 vote, unless they be equally divided. 
 
 The Senate shall choose their other officers, 
 and also a President pro tempore, in the al)- 
 sence of the Vice President, or when he sir,ill 
 exercise the office of President of the Uniied 
 Slates. 
 
 The Senate shall have the sole power to try 
 all impeachments; when sitting for that pur- 
 pose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. 
 When the President of the United States is tri- 
 ed, the Chief Justice shall preside; and no per- 
 son shall be convicted without the conclinence 
 of two-thirds of the members present. 
 
 Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not 
 extend farther than to removal from office, and 
 disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of 
 hono! , trust, or profit, under the United States ; 
 hut the party convicted shall nevertheless be 
 liable and subject to indictment, trial, judg- 
 ment, and punishment, according to lav/. 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 The time, places, and manner of holding 
 elections for Senators and Representatives, 
 shall be prescribed in each State by the Legis- 
 lature thereof; l)ut the Congress mav at any 
 time by law make or alter such regulations, ex- 
 cept as to the places of choosing Senators. 
 
 The Congress shall assemble at least once in 
 every year, and such meeting shall be on the 
 first Monday in December, unless they shall 
 by law appoint a different day. 
 
 SECTION v. 
 
 Each House shall be the judge of the elec- 
 tions, returns, and qualifications of its own 
 members, and a majority of each shall consti- 
 tute a quorum to do business; but a small: r 
 number may adjourn from day to day, and may 
 be authorized to compel the attendance of ab- 
 sent members, in such manner and under such 
 penalties as each House may provide. 
 
I'Teir adjournment prpvont its return, in which 
 casp it sliall not be u l.ivv. 
 
 Every order, resolution, or votf. to v/iii:'h I'le 
 concurrence of the Senate and Mouse oi l*e[)- 
 re-< ntatives may be nece-.sary. (except ou a 
 question of adjnrirnnient,) s!i;'.ll be presented to 
 the President of the Uniteti Slates ; and i)e:ore 
 tiie same sliall take elVect, shail be approved by 
 hmj, or. beinij disapproved by ium, shall be 
 rej;nssed by two-thirds of liie Senate and House 
 of Representatives, accortiin:; lo the rules and 
 liinitaiions prescribed in the case ul a biii. 
 
 SECTION VIII. 
 
 Ihe Congress shall have power to lay and 
 i-ollect taxes, duiies, imposrs. aod excises, to 
 pay the debts and provide lor the coinnton de- 
 i'euce and ji^eaeral webare of the United Slates, 
 Imt aii duties, impo-ls. ami exei.--e:., shall be uui- 
 iorm tiirougijout tlie United Siaies ; 
 
 To b >rrow money on the credit of tlie Uni- 
 ted Stales ; 
 
 To regulate commerce with foreign nations, 
 and among the seve/al States, and with the 
 Indian tribes ; 
 
 To estabhsh a uniform rule oi" naturaliza- 
 tion, and uniform laws on the subject of bank- 
 ruptcies, tUrougiiout the United States ; 
 
 To coin money, regulate the value thereof, 
 and of foreign coin, and lix the standard of 
 weights and measures ; 
 
 To provide for the punishment of counter- 
 feiting the securities and current coin of the 
 United States ; 
 
 To establish post otTices and post roads ; 
 
 To promote the progress of science and use- 
 ful arts, by securing for limited times to authors 
 and inventors the exclusive right to their re- 
 Ali bills for raising revenue shall originate in , spective writings and discoveries ; 
 the House of Representatives ; but the Senate , To constitute tribunals inferior to the Su- 
 may propos<-, or concur with, amendments, as preme Court ; 
 
 on other' h'.ils. To define and punish piracies and felonies 
 
 Every bill which shall have passed the House committed on the high seas, and offences against 
 of tlei:)resentatives and the Senate, shall, be- ihe law of nations ; 
 
 Eitch House may determine the rules of its 
 
 f'cee line's, punish its members for disorderly 
 benaviour.' and v/ith the concurrence of i\vo- 
 thinis exnel a membei'. 
 
 Each Viousf shall keep a jottrna! of iis pro- 
 ceedings, and i'rom time lo time publish the 
 s.-Kue, "excepting sa«-h parts as may ia their i 
 iudguieal require se.-recy ; and yeas and nays j 
 of th(; members of r-ither House on any qus-s- j 
 tion shall, at tiie desire ol" one-fifth of those 1 
 pre-'ciit, be entered on thi:'j'>!irnril._ _ ^ j 
 
 Xeither House, during tlie Sf-sioa ui (.'uu- | 
 rrrev:^. snail, without the consent of ihe oifi'T, \ 
 adjourn for more man three days, nor to any | 
 oii^i'-r plaee tJiar. that ia which tiie two Hous.-s ! 
 siiiul b- Moing. i 
 
 SkOTION VI. i 
 
 Til'; > MtU-rs .ui<A ilepresentatives shall re 
 crive ;: .••■oip''ns.a;'j:j :or their services, to be J 
 asc;'-: ,,,..' I'r i:;v.-, and pat'.l out ofthe Treasury I 
 of t!;'-' !_':;:'."d S.a!es. They shall in all cases j 
 exce'V't treason, felony, and breach of uie ()eace. 
 be privileged from arrest during their attend- 
 ance at the session of their respective Hous^■s, 
 and in going to and returning from ilie same; 
 and forliiiv spep.-ii or d*^bate in either House, 
 th:'V shall net l>f questioned in rmy other place. 
 
 No Senator or Representative shall, during 
 tiie time for which he was elected, be appoint- 
 ee if. ;!jv civil otFic!^ under the authority of the 
 Uiiii^ii .-i.'tr'S. whi;;h shall have been created, 
 or the einvsiuments whereoi' shall have been in- 
 creased, during such time; and no person hold- 
 ing any oirice under the United States shall be 
 a member of either House during his continu- 
 ance in office. 
 
 SECTION VII. 
 
 fore it become a law, be presented to the Presi- 
 dent of the United States ; if he approve he 
 shall sign it, but if not he shall return it_. with 
 his obiections, to that House in which it shall 
 
 To declare war, grant letters of marque and 
 n^prisal, and make rules concerning captures 
 on land or water ; 
 
 To raise and support armies, but no appro- 
 
 have originated, who sliall enter the objections priation of money to that use shall be for a 
 at large on their journal, and proceed to recon- longer term than two years; 
 sider it. If after such reconsideration two-thirds To provide and maintain a navy ; 
 of that House shall agree to pass the bill, it ; To make rules for the Goverjiment and reg- 
 shall be sent, together with the objections, to ulation of the land and naval forces; 
 the other House,"^ by which it sliall likewise be To provide for calling forth the militia, to ex- 
 reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds ol ecute the laws of the Union, suppress insur- 
 that House, it shall become a law. But in all rections, and repel invasions ; 
 such cases the votes of both Houses shall be To provide tor or<ranizing, arming, and dis- 
 determined by yeas and nays, and the names ciplining the militia, and for governing such 
 of the persons voting for and against the bill part of them as inay be em|)loyed in the ser- 
 shall be entered on the journal of each House, viceoftlip United Stales, reserving to the Slates, 
 respectively. If any bill shall not be returned respectively, the appointment of the olncers, 
 by the President witiiin ten days (Sundays ex- and the authority of training the militia ac- 
 cepted) after it shall have been presented to cording to the discipline prescribed by Con- 
 him, the same shall be a law, in like manner gress ; 
 as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by i To exercise exclusive legislation, ia all cases 
 
whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding 
 ten miles square) as may, by cession of partic- 
 ular States, and the acceptance of Coneress, be- 
 come the seat of the Government of tlie United 
 States, and to exercise liite authority over all 
 places purchased by the consent of the Legis- 
 lature of the State in which the same shall be, 
 for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, 
 dock-yards, and other needful buildings ; and 
 
 To make all laws which shall be necessary 
 and proper for carrying into execution the fore- 
 going powers, and all other powers vested by 
 this Constitution in the Government of the 
 United States, or in any department or oflfice 
 thereof. 
 
 SECTION IX. 
 
 The migration or importation of such per- 
 sons as any of the States now existing sliall 
 think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited 
 by the Congress prior to the year eighteen 
 hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be 
 m)posed on such importation, not exceeding 
 ten dollars for each person. 
 
 The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus 
 shall not be suspended, unless when in cases 
 of rebellion or invasion the public safety may 
 require it. 
 
 No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall 
 be passed. 
 
 !Vo capitation, or other direct tax, shall be 
 laid, unless in proportion to the census or enu- 
 meration hereinbefore directed to be taken. " 
 
 No tax or duty shall be laid on articles ex- 
 ported from any State. 
 
 No preference shall be given by any regula- 
 tion of commerce or revenue to the pons of one 
 State over those of another ; nor shall vessels 
 bound to or from one State, be obliged to en- 
 ter, clear, or pay duties, in another. 
 
 No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, 
 but in consequence of appropriations made by 
 law; and a regular statement and account of 
 the receipts and expenditures of all public 
 money shall be published from lime to time. 
 
 No title of nobility shall be granted by the 
 United St!ites ; and no person holding any of- 
 fice of prolit or trust under them, sliall, with- 
 out the consent of the Congress, accept of any 
 present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind 
 whatever, from any kmg, prince, or foreign 
 state. 
 
 SECTION X. 
 
 No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, 
 or confederation ; grant letters of marque and 
 reprisal; coin money ; emit billsof credit ; make 
 anything but gold and silver coin a tender in 
 paynnMU of debts ; pass any bill of attainder, 
 ex post lacto law, or law impairing the oljliga- 
 tion of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 
 
 No State shall, wuhout the consent of the 
 Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports 
 or exports, except what may be absolutely ne- 
 cessary for executing its inspection laws ; and 
 
 e nett produce oi all duties and imposts, laid 
 
 by any State on imports or exports, shall be 
 for the use of the Treasury of the United 
 States; and all such laws shall be subject to 
 the revision and control of the Congress. 
 
 No State shall, witliout the consent of Con- 
 gress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or 
 ships of war in time oi' peace, enter into any 
 agreement or compact Avith another State, or 
 with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless 
 actually invaded, or in such imminent danger 
 as will not admit of delay. 
 
 ARTICLE IL 
 
 SECTION 1. , 
 
 The Executive power shall be vested in a 
 President of the United States of America. He 
 shall hold his office during the term of four 
 years, and, together with the Vice President, 
 chosen for the same term, be elected as ioUows : 
 Each State shall appoint, in such manner as 
 the Legislature thereof may direct, a number 
 of electors, equal to the whole number of Sen- 
 ators and Representatives to which the State 
 may be entitled in the Congress : but no Sena- 
 tor or Representative, or person holding an of- 
 ; fice of trust or profit under the United States, 
 shall be appointed an elector. 
 ; The electors shall meet in their respective 
 ■ States, and vote by ballot for two persons, of 
 : whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant 
 of the same State with themselves. And they 
 shall make n list of all the persons voted for, 
 j and the number of votes for each ; which list 
 they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed 
 to the seat of tiie Government of the United 
 j Slates, directed to the President of the Senate. 
 i The President of the Senate shall, in the pres- 
 • ence of the Senate and House of Representa- 
 I tives, open all the certificates, and the votes 
 I shall then be counted. The person having the 
 greatest number of voles shall be the President, 
 I if such number be a majority of the whole 
 numbf^r of electors appointed; and if there be 
 ] more than one who iiave such majority, and 
 : have an equal number of votes, then the House 
 I of Representatives shall immediately choose, 
 ! bv ballot, one of thein for President ; and if no 
 i person have a majority, then frota the five high- 
 i est on the list the said House shall, in like 
 manner, choose the President. But in choosing 
 the President, the votes shall be taken by States, 
 the representation from each State having one 
 vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist 
 of a member or members from two thirds of the 
 States, and a majority of all the States sha!' be 
 necessary to a choice. In every case, after ttie 
 choice of the President, the person having the 
 greatest number of votes of the electors shall be 
 tlie Vice President. But if there should remuiii 
 two or more who have equal votes, the Senate 
 shall choose from them by ballot the Vice Pres- 
 ident.* 
 
 * This clause of the Constitution has been ainund- 
 cd. See twelfth article of the amendments. 
 
3 
 
 Tl.e Concrre'^s may determine the time of vacancies that may happen during the recess 
 choosino- the electors, and the day on wl.idi of the Senate, Iw grantin"; commissions which 
 they shall give their votes; which day shall be j shall expire at the end o( their next session, 
 the same throughout the United States. ; section in. 
 
 No person except a natural born citizen, or j ^^^ ^j^^jj ^^^^^ ^j^^^ ^^ ^j^^ gj^^ ^^ ^^^ (-.,,j,. 
 a citizen of the United States at the time ot ] ^^^^^ i„rorination of the state of ihe Union, and 
 the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligi- j ^^po,,,^,^^^ to iheirconsideration such measures 
 hie to the office of President; neither sha any , ^^ ^^ _,,^^„ j^^^j^^ necessary and expedient ; he 
 person be eligible to that office who shall not ^^ fxtraordinarv occasions, convene both 
 
 Houses, or either of them, and, in case of dis- 
 aoreemeiit between them, with respect to the 
 
 have attained to the age of thirty-five years, 
 and been fourteen years a resident within the 
 
 United States. , ^ , r^ ■ , r ! time of adjournment, be may attjourn them to 
 
 In case of the removal of the President from I ^^^^^ ^.^^J^^ ,^^ ^,^^1, ^j^j,^,. p^^^^,,^ . ^^ ^^.^^ 
 
 office, or of his death, resisnation, or^ inability j receive ambassadors and other public ministers ; 
 
 to discharge the powers and duties of the saic 
 office, the same shall devolve on the Vice Pres- 
 ident, and the Congress may by law provide 
 for the case of removal, death, resignation, or 
 inability, both of the President and Vice Presi- 
 dent, declaring what officer shall then act as 
 President ; and such officer shall act according- 
 ly, until the disability be removed, or a Presi- 
 dent shall be elected. 
 
 The President shall, at stated times, receive 
 for his services a compensation, which shall 
 neither he increased or diminished during the 
 period for which he shall have been elected, 
 and he shall not receive within that period any 
 other emolument from the United States, or 
 anv of them. 
 
 i3efore he enter on the execution of his office, 
 he shall take the following oath or affirmation: 
 
 " I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will 
 faithfully execute the office of President of the 
 United States, and will, to the best of my abili- 
 ty, preserve, protect, and dei'end the Constitu- 
 tion of the United States." 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 The President shall be commander-in-chief of 
 the army and navy of the United States, apd of 
 the militia of the several States, when called 
 into the actual service^of the United States; he 
 may require the opinion, in writing, of the 
 principal officer in each of the Executive De- 
 partments, upon any subject relating to the 
 duties of their respective offiices ; and he shall 
 have power to grant reprieves and pardons for 
 offii-nces against the United States, except in 
 cases of impeachment. 
 
 He shall have power, by and with the advice 
 and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, 
 provided two-thirds of the Senators present 
 concur; and he shall nominate, and, by and 
 with the advice and consent of the Senate, 
 shall appoint ambassadors, other ministers and 
 consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all 
 other officers of the United States, whose ap- 
 pointments are not herein otherwise provided 
 ' for, and which shall be established by law ; but 
 the Congress may by law vest the appointment 
 of such inferior officers as they think proper, in 
 the President alone, in the courts of law, or in 
 the heads of Departments. 
 
 The President shall have power to fill up ?.ll 
 
 he shall take care that the laws be tiiithlully ex- 
 ecuted, and shall commission all the officers of 
 the United States. 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 The President, Vice President, and all civil 
 officers of the United States, shall be removed 
 from office on impeachment for, and conviction 
 of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and 
 misdemeanors. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 The Judicial power of the United States shall 
 be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such 
 inferior courts as the Congress may i'roin time 
 to time ordain and establish. The judges, both 
 of the Supreme and inferior courts, shall hold 
 their offices during good behaviour, acid shall 
 at stated times receive for their services a com- 
 pensation, which shall not be diminished during 
 their continuance in office. 
 
 SECTION II. 
 
 The Judicial power shall extend to all cases, 
 in law and equity, arising under this Constitu- 
 tion, the laws of the United States, and the 
 treaties made, or which shall be made, under 
 their authority ; to all cases affecting ambassa- 
 dors, other public ministers, and consuls ; to all 
 cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; 
 to controversies to which the United States 
 shall be a party ; to controversies between two 
 or more Slates ; between a State and citizens of 
 another State ; between citizens of different 
 States ; between citizens of the same State 
 claiming lands under grants of different Slates, 
 and between a State, or the citizens thereof, 
 and foreign States, citizens, or subjects. 
 
 In all cases affecting ambassadors, other pub- 
 lic ministers, and consuls, and those in which a 
 State shall be a party, the Supreme Court shall 
 have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases 
 before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall 
 have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and 
 fact, with such exceptions, and under such 
 regulations, as the Congress shall make. 
 
 The trial of all crimes, except in cases of ira-_ 
 peachment, shall be by jury; and such trial 
 shall be held in the State where the said crimes 
 shall have been committed ; but when not com- 
 
muted within any State, the trial shall be at 
 .such place or places as the Congress may by 
 law have direclecl. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 Treason against the United Stales shall con- 
 sist only in levying war against them, or in 
 adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and 
 comfort. No person shall be convicted ol' trea- 
 son, unless on the tesiimony of two witnesses 
 to the same overt act, or on confession iti open 
 court. 
 
 The Congress shall have power to declare 
 the punishment of treason, but no atiamder of 
 treason shail work corruption of blood, or for- 
 feiture except durinji the life of the person at- 
 tainted. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 Full faith and credit shall be given in each 
 State to the public acts, records, and judicial 
 proceedings of every otiier rilate. And llie Con- 
 gress may i)y general laws prescribe the man- 
 ner in which such acts, records, and proceed- 
 ings, .shall be proved, and the elTecl thereof, 
 
 SECTION 11. 
 
 The citizens of each State shall be entitled 
 to all privileges and immunities of citizens in 
 the several States. 
 
 A person charged in any State with treason, 
 felony, or other crime, who shall llee from jus- 
 tice, and be found in another State, shall, on de- 
 mand ol" the Executive authority of the State 
 from which he fled, be delivered up, to be re- 
 moved to the State having jurisdiction of the 
 crime. 
 
 J\'o person held to service or labor in one 
 Stale, under the laws thereof, escapinir into an- 
 other, shall, in consecjuence of any law or reg- 
 ulation therein, be discharged from such ser- 
 vice or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim 
 of the party to whom such service or labor may 
 be due. 
 
 SECTION III. 
 
 New States may be admitted by the Con- 
 gress into this Union ; but no new States shall 
 be Ibrmed or erected within the jurisdiction of 
 any other State; nor any State be formed by 
 the junction of two or more States, or parts of 
 States, without the consent of the Legislature 
 of the States concerned as well as of the Con- 
 gress. 
 
 The Congress shall have power to dispose ol 
 and make all needful rules and regulations re- 
 specting the territory or other property belong- 
 ing to the United States ; and nothing m this 
 Constitution shall be so construed as to preju- 
 dice any claims of the United States, or of any 
 particular State. 
 
 SECTION IV. 
 
 The United States shall guaranty to every 
 State in this Union a republican form ol gov- 
 ernment, and shall protect each of them against 
 
 invasion ; and on application of the Legislature, 
 or of the Executive, (when the Legislaiure can- 
 not be convened.) against domestic violence. 
 
 ARTICLE V. 
 
 The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both 
 Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose 
 amendments to this Constitution, or, on the 
 application of the Legislatures of two thirds of 
 tlie several States, shall call a convention for 
 proposing amendments, which in either case 
 shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as 
 part of this Constitution, when ratilied by the 
 Legislatures of three-fourths of the several 
 Slates, or by conventions in three-fourths there- 
 of, as the one or the other mode of ratification 
 may be proposed by the C'ongress ; provided 
 that no amendment which may be made prior 
 to the year one thousand eiijht hundred and 
 ei£jht shall in any manner affect the first and 
 fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first 
 article ; and that no State, without its consent, 
 shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the 
 Senate. 
 
 ARTICLE VI. 
 
 All debts contracted and engagements enter- 
 ed into, before the adoption of tins Constitution, 
 shall be as valid against the United States un- 
 der this Constitution, as under the Confedera- 
 tion. 
 
 This Constitution, and the laws of the Uni- 
 ted Slates which shall be made in pursuance 
 thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall 
 be made, under the authority of the United 
 States, shall be the supreme law of the land ; 
 and the judges in every State shall be bound 
 thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws 
 of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 
 
 The Senators smd Representatives before 
 mentioned, and the members of the several 
 Stftte Legislatures, and all Executive and Judi- 
 cial officers, both of the United States and of 
 the several States, shall be bound, by oath or 
 affirmation, to support this Constitution ; but 
 no religious test shall ever be required as a 
 qualification to any office of public trust under 
 the United States. 
 
 ARTICLE VII. 
 
 The ratification of the conventions of nine 
 States shall be sufficient for the establishment 
 of this Constitution between the States so rati- 
 fying the same. 
 
 Done in Convention, by the unanimous con- 
 sent of the States i)resent, the seventeenth 
 day of September, in the year of our Lord 
 one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
 seven, and of the Independence of the Uni- 
 ted States of America the twelfth. In wit- 
 ness thereof, we have hereunto subscribed 
 our names. 
 
 GO. WASHINGTON, 
 President, and Deputy from Virginia. 
 
10 
 
 AMENDMENTS. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 
 Congress shall make no law respecting an 
 eslablislinicnt of reiigioo, or prohibiting tiie 
 tree exercise thereof, or abridging the freecloiii 
 ot speech or of the press : or the right of the 
 people peaceably to assemble, asid to petition 
 ihe Government for a redress of grievances. 
 
 ARTICLE U. 
 
 A well-regulated rnilitia being necessary to 
 the security of a free State, the right of the 
 people to keep and bear arms shall nut be in- 
 2ri:iQ;ed. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quar- 
 tered in any iiouse without the consent of the 
 owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to 
 be prescribed by law. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 The right of the people to be secure in their 
 persons, houses, papers, and effects, against 
 unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not 
 he violated ; and no warrants shall issue but 
 upon probable cause, supported by oath or af- 
 iirmaiion, and particularly describing the place 
 to be searched, and the persons or thing to be 
 seized. 
 
 ARTICLE V. 
 
 No person shall be held to answer for a cap- 
 ital or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a 
 presentment or indictment of a grand jury, ex- 
 cept in cases arising in the land or naval forces, 
 or in the militia when in actual service, in time 
 of war or public danger ; nor shall any person 
 be subject for the same offence to be twice put 
 in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be com- 
 pelled in any criminal case tO be a witness 
 against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, 
 or property, without due process of law; nor 
 shall private properly be taken for public use 
 without just compensation. 
 
 ARTICLE VI. 
 
 In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall 
 enjoy the right to a speedy ant! public trial, by 
 an impartial jury of the State and district 
 wherein the crime shall have been committed, 
 which district shall have been previously as- 
 certained by law; and to be inibrmed of the 
 nature and cause of the acc»)sation ; to be con- 
 fronted with the witnesses against him ; to have 
 compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in 
 his favor ; and to have the assistance of coun- 
 sel for his defence. 
 
 ARTICLE VIL 
 
 In suits at common law, where the value in 
 controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the 
 right of trial by jury shall be preserved ; and no 
 fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-ex- 
 amined, in any court of the United States, than 
 according to the rules of the common law. 
 
 ARTICLE VIII. 
 
 Excessive bail shall not be required, nor ex- 
 cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual 
 punishments iiiHicted. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. 
 
 I The enumeration in the Constitution of cer- 
 tain rights shall not be construed to deny or 
 i disparage others retained by the people. 
 
 i ARTICLE X. 
 
 j The powers not delegated to the United 
 ! States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it 
 I to the States, are reserved to the States respect- 
 I ively, or to the people. 
 
 ARTICLE XI. 
 
 The judicial power of the United Stales shall 
 not be construed to extend to any suit in law 
 or equity commenced or prosecuted against 
 one of the United States by citizens of another 
 State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign 
 Stale. 
 
 ARTICLE XII. 
 
 The electors shall meet in their respective 
 States, and vote by ballot for Presidenl and 
 Vice President, one of whom, at least, shall 
 not be an inhabitant of the same Slate with 
 themselves; they shall name in their ballots 
 the person voted for as President, and in dis- 
 tinct ballots the person voted lor as Vice Presi- 
 dent ; and they shall make distinct lisis of all 
 persons voted for as Presidenl, and of all per- 
 sons voted for as Vice President, and of the 
 number of votes Jbr eacli ; which lists they 
 shall sign and certify, ;md transmit sealed to 
 the seat of the Government of the United States, 
 directed to the President of the Senate; the 
 President of the Senate shall, in presence of the 
 Senate and House of Representatives, open all 
 the ceriihcaies, and the votes shall then be 
 counted ; the person having the greatest num- 
 ber of votes for Presidenl shall be the Presidenl, 
 if such number be a majority of the whole 
 number of electors appoinied ; and if no person 
 have such majority, then, from the persons 
 having the highest numbers, not exceeding 
 three, on the list of those voted for as President, 
 the House of Representatives shall choose, im- 
 mediately, by ballot, the Presidenl. But, in 
 choosing the President, the votes shall be taken 
 by Stales, the representation from each State 
 having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose 
 shall consist of a member or members from 
 two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all 
 the States shall be necessary to a choice. And 
 if the House of Representatives shall not choose 
 a President whenever the right of choice shall 
 devolve upon them, before the fourth day of 
 March next following, then the Vice President 
 shall act as President, as in the case of the death 
 or other constitutional disability of the Presi- 
 dent. 
 
 The person having the greatest number of 
 votes as Vice President shall be the Vice Pres- 
 
11 / 
 
 iiicnt, if such numTjor hs a miijority of th« i 
 wliole number of electors ajjpomted ; and if no ', 
 jjersnn iiave a uiajurify, then, from the two 
 iD^hest numbers on the list, the vSenaff' shall 
 clioosK i)ie Vi(!e PrHsii!f>nt ; a quorum Ibr the 
 purpose shall consi-'^t oi' two-thirds of the wliole 
 Htuisber of Senators, and a majority of the 
 whole number shall be necessary to a choice. 
 
 But no person co!\stiiutionally ineligible to 
 the ollice of ['resident, saali be eiigibln' to tliat 
 of Vice President of the Unit(-d Slates. 
 
 THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW. ! 
 
 An A't lo niii'^iid ;\i!(I <;ipplcniciii,;iry to llie act enti- 
 tifd •• An ;ut iTspi'cJiiij Su^'ilives f rotsi jtislice and 
 persons e-^i-n piny li txii tlic service cf their raastorw," 
 itp))rov'<l fi'iiiiitiry tv^flftli, one thuusaiid seven 
 butidrod and iiiiiaty-llinc 
 
 Be it enacted Ijy Hie Snniite and House nf Rep- 
 rtsentatioes of ike United *'«/e.s nf America in 
 C'on^;ress aanembled, 'i'hat the pf-rsoi'.s who have 
 been or may iiereafter be appoinied commis- 
 sioners in virtue of any act of Con^Lrress, by t!ie 
 circuit courts of the United ►"ital<'S, and who, in 
 consequence of such appointmenl, are author- 
 ized to exercise the powers that any justice of 
 the pi-ace, or other magistrate of any of the 
 United States, may exercise in respect to offend- 
 ers for any crime or offence against the United 
 States, by arri^sting, in.iprisoning, or bailing, 
 the same, under and by virtue of the thirty- 
 third section of the act of the twenly-fourth of 
 September, seveiiteea hundred and eighty-nine, 
 entitled "An act to establish the judicial courts 
 of the United States," shall be, and are hereby, 
 authorized and required to exercise and dis- 
 charge ail the powers and duiies conferred by 
 this act. 
 
 Sec. 2. And be it farther enacted. That the 
 superior court of eacli organized Territory of 
 the United Slates shall havi- the same power to 
 appoint eommissioncrs to take acknowledg- 
 ments of bail and atridaviis, and to take deposi- 
 tions of witnesses in civil causes, which is now 
 possessed by the circuit court of the United 
 States; and all commissioners who shall here- 
 after be appoinied for such purposes by the su- 
 perior court of any organized Territory of the 
 United Stales, shall possess all the powers, and 
 exercise all the duiies. conferred by law upon 
 commissioners appointed by the United States 
 for similar purposes, and shall moreover exer- 
 cise and discharge all the powers and duties 
 conferred by this act. 
 
 Sec. 3. ,hul he it further enacted. That the 
 circuit courts of the United States, and the su- 
 perior courts of each organized Territory of the 
 United States, shall frorn time to time enlarge 
 the number of commissioners, with a view to 
 afford n>asonable facilities to reclaim fugitives 
 from labor, and to the prompt discharge of the 
 duties imposed bv this act. 
 
 Sec. 4. Jnd he it further enacted. That the 
 commissioners above named shall have concur- 
 
 rent jurisdiction with the judges of the circuit 
 and district courts of the Unite<l Slates m their 
 respective circuits and districts within the sev- 
 eral States, and the judges of tiie superior courts 
 of the Territories, severally and collectively, in 
 term-time and vacation ; ;uid shall grant certifi- 
 cates to such claimants, upon satisfactory proof 
 being made, with authority to lake and remove 
 such fugitives l>om service or labor, under the 
 reslriciions herein contained, to the State or 
 Territory from which such persons may have 
 escaped or fled. 
 
 Sec. 5. ,iiad he it fwtJirr enacted. That it 
 shall be the duty of all marsh.als and deputy- 
 marshals to obey and execute all warrants and 
 precepts issued under the provisions of this act, 
 when to them directed ; and. should any niar- 
 shal or deputy marshal refuse to receive such 
 warrant or other process when tendered, or to 
 use all proper means diligently to execute the 
 same, he shall, on conviction thereof, be fined 
 in liie sum of one thousand dollars, to the use 
 of such claimant, on the motion of such claim- 
 ant, bv the circuit or district court for the dis- 
 trict of such marshal ; and afier arrest of such 
 fugitive by such marshal or his deputy, or 
 whilst at any time in his custody under the pro- 
 visions under this act, should such fugitive es- 
 cape, whether with or witliout the assent of 
 such marshal or his deputy, such marshal shall 
 be liable on liis official bond to be prosecuted 
 for the benefit of such claimant for the full value 
 of the service or labor of said fugitive, in the 
 State, Territory, or District, whence heescaped; 
 and the belter to enable the said commissioners, 
 when thus appointed, to execute their duties 
 faithfully and efficiently, in conformity with the 
 requirements of the Constitution of the United 
 States an;l of this act, they are hereby author- 
 iz(Hl and empowered, within their counties, re- 
 spectively, to appoint, in writing, under their 
 hands, any one or more suitable persons, from 
 lime to time, to execute all such warrants and 
 other process as may be issued by them in the 
 lawful performance of their respective duties; 
 with authority to such commissioners, or the 
 persons to be appointed by them, to execute 
 process as aforesaid, to summon and call to 
 their aid the bystanders, or posse comitalus of 
 the proper county, when necessary to insure a 
 faithful observance of the clause of the Consti- 
 tution referred to, in conformity with the pro- 
 visions of this act; and all good citizens are 
 hereby com.Tianded to aid and assist in the 
 prompt and efficient execution of this law, 
 whenever their services may be required, as 
 aforesaid, for that purpose ; and said warrants 
 shall run and be executed by said officers any- 
 where in the State within which they are is- 
 sued. 
 
 Sec. 6. .^nrf he it further enacted. That when 
 a person held to service or labor in any Stale or 
 Territory of the United Slates, has heretofore 
 or shall hereafter escape into another State or 
 Territory of the United States, the person or 
 
12 
 
 pprsons lo wiiorn such service or labor may he 
 due, or liis. !i''r, or their ;igent or atlorney, 
 <lulv authorizetl by power of attorney, in 
 wriiinij, acknowledged and certified under the 
 seal of some lejal oilicer or courl of the State 
 or Territory in which the same may lie execu- 
 ted, may pursue and reclaiui such fua^itive per- 
 tson, either by procuring a warrant from some 
 one of llie courts, judges, or commissioners 
 aforesaid, of tiie proper circuit, district, or coun- 
 ty, for the appreliension of such fu^ritive from 
 service or labor, or by seizing and arresting 
 sucli fi;giiive, where the same can be done 
 without process, and by taking, or causing 
 such person to be tak^^n, forthwiih before such 
 court, judge, or couunissioner, whose duty it 
 siial! be to hear and determine the case nf such 
 claimant in a summary manner; and upon sat- 
 isfactory proof being made, by deposuion or 
 ai!idavit,in writing, to betaken and certified by 
 such court, judge, or commissioner, or by other 
 satisfactory testimony, duly taken and certilted 
 by some court, magistrate, justice of the peace, 
 or other legal officer authorized to administer 
 an oath and take depositions under the laws of 
 the Slate or Territory from which such person 
 owing service or labor may have escaped, with 
 a certificate of such magistracy or other author- 
 ity, as aforesaid, with tlie sea! of the proper 
 court or officer thereto attached, which seal 
 shall be sufficient to establish the competency 
 of the proof, and with proof, also by affidavit, 
 of the identity of the person whose service or 
 labor is claimed to be daa, as al^oresaid, that the 
 person so arrested 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 de- 
 liver to such claimant, his or her agent or at- 
 torney, a certificate setting forth the substantial 
 i'acts as to the service or labor due from such 
 fugitive to the claimant, and of his or her es- 
 cape from the State or Territory in which such 
 service or labor was due, to the State or Terri- 
 tory in which he or she was arrested, with au- 
 thority to such claimant, or his or her a^ent or 
 attorney, to use such reasonable force and re- 
 straint as may be necessary, under the circum- 
 stances of the case, to take and remove such fu- 
 gitive person back to the State or Territory 
 whence he or she may have escaped as afore- 
 said. In no trial or hearing, under this act, 
 shall the testimony 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 fugi- 
 tive to the Stale or Territory from which he 
 escaped, and shall prevent all molestation of 
 such person or persons, by any process issued 
 by any court, judge, magistrate, or other per- 
 son , whomsoever. 
 
 Sec. 7. And he it further enacted, That any 
 person who shall knowingly and willingly ob- 
 
 stj-uct, hinder, or prevent such clain-ant, his 
 agent or attorney, or any person or persons law- 
 fully assisting him, her, or them, from arresting 
 such a fugitive from service or labor, either v/ifh 
 or w'thou I process as aforesaid ; or shall rescue 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 i'> 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 
 claimant, 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 per- 
 son was a fugitive from service or labor as afore- 
 said, shall, for either of said offences, be sub- 
 ject to a fine not exceeding one thousand dol- 
 lars, and imprisonment not exceeding six 
 months, by indictment and conviction before 
 the district court of the Unifed States for the 
 district m which such ofi'ence may have been 
 committed, or belbre the proper court of crim- 
 inal jurisdiction, if committed within any one 
 of the organized Territories of ihe United States; 
 and shall moreover i'orfeit 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 be re- 
 covered by action of debt, in any of the district 
 or territorial courts aforesaid, within whose 
 jurisdiction the said offence may have been 
 committed. 
 
 Sec. 8. Jiad be it further enacted. That the 
 marshals, 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 
 v/here such services are rendered exclusively 
 in the arrest, custody, and delivery of the fugi- 
 tive to the claimant, his or her agent or attor- 
 ney, or where such supposed fugitive may be 
 discharged out of custody for the wantof suffi- 
 cient proof as aforesaid, then such fees are to be 
 paid in the whole by such claimant, his agent 
 or attorney ; and in all cases where the proceed- 
 ings are before a commissioner, he shall be en- 
 titled to a fee of ten dollars in full for his servi- 
 ces in 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 com- 
 missioner, warrant such certificate and delivery, 
 inclusive of all services incident to such arrest 
 and examination, to be paid in either case by 
 the claimant, his or her a^eiit or attorney. The 
 person or persons authorized to execute the 
 process to be issued by such commissioners, for 
 the arrest and detention of fugitives from ser- 
 vice or labor as aforesaid, shall also been titled to 
 a fee of five dollars each for each person he or 
 they may arrest and take before any such coin- 
 
13 
 
 missioner As aforesaid, at mo instance and re- 
 quest of such claimant : wiili such other fees as 
 may he deemed reasoiiahle hysuch commission- 
 er for such other additional services as may he 
 necessarily performed hy him or them ; such as 
 attending at the examination, keeping the fugi- 
 tive in custody, and providing him with food 
 and lodging during his detention, and until the 
 (iual determination of such commissioner; and 
 in general for pert'orming such other duties as 
 may he required by such claimant, his or her 
 attorney or agent, or commissioner in the prem- 
 ises, such fees to he made up in conformity 
 with the fees usually charged by the officers 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 attor- 
 neys, whether such supposed fugitives from 
 service or labor be ordered to be delivered to 
 such claimants by the final determination of 
 such commissioner or not. 
 
 Sec. 9. Jliid he it further eimcled. That 
 upon affidavit made by the claimant of such 
 fugitive, his agent or attorney, after such cer- 
 tificate has been issued, that he has reason to 
 apprehend that such fugitive will be rescued 
 by force from his or their possession before he 
 can be taken beyond the limits of the State in 
 which the arrest is made, it shall be the duty 
 of the officer making the arrest to retain such 
 fugitive in his custodv, and to remove him to 
 the State whence he fied, antl there to deliver 
 him to said claimant, his agent or attorney. 
 And to this end, the officer aforesaid is hereby 
 authorized and required to employ so many 
 persons as he may deem necessary to overcome 
 such (brce, and to retain tliem in his service so 
 long as circumstances may require. The said 
 officer and his assistants, while so employed, to 
 receive the same compensation, and to be allow- 
 ed the same expenses, as are now allowed by 
 law for transportation of criminals, to be certi 
 fied by the judge of the district within which 
 the arrest is made, and paid out of the treasury 
 of the United States. 
 
 Sec. 10. And be it furtlier enacted, That 
 when any person held to service or labor in any 
 State or Territory, or in the District of Colum- 
 bia, shall escape tlierefrom, the party to whom 
 such service or labor shall be du(>, 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 convenieiU cer- 
 tainly as may be; and a transcript of such 
 record, authenticated by the attestation of the 
 clerk and of the seal of the said court, being 
 produced in any other State, Territory, or Dis- 
 trict, in which the person so escaping may be 
 found, and being exhibited to any judge, conar 
 
 missioner, or other officer authorized by the 
 law of the United States to cause persons es- 
 caping from service or labor to be delivered 
 up, shall be held and taken to be full and con- 
 clusive evidence of the fact ol 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 and further evidence, if necessary, eitlier 
 oral or by afiidavit, in addition to what is con- 
 tained 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, conr- 
 rnissioner, judge, or other person authorized 
 by this act to grant certilicaies to claimanis of 
 i'ugitives, shall, upon the production of the rec- 
 ord and other evidences aforesaid, grant to such 
 claimant a certificate of his right to take any 
 such person identified and [)roved 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 Ter- 
 ritory from which he escaped : Provided, That 
 nothing herein contained shall be construed as 
 requiring the production of a transcript of such 
 record as evidence as aforesaid. But in i's ab- 
 sence, the chum shall be heard and determined 
 upon other satisfactory proofs, competent in 
 law. 
 
 HowEi.L Cobb, 
 Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
 
 Wir.LiAM II. King, 
 President of the Scnutc pro tempore. 
 Approved, September IS, 1850. 
 
 Millard Fillmore. 
 
 THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM. 
 
 ADOPTED AT BALTIMORE, JUNE 1, 1852. 
 
 I. Ri'salved, That the Amorie.-in "Democracy place 
 their trust in tlio intolligence, the patriotism, and tho 
 discriminating justice of the American people. 
 
 II. Kt^sa/.vff/, That wo regard this as a distinctive 
 feature of our political creed, which wo are proud to 
 maintain before tho world as tho groat moral olo- 
 mcnt in a form of government springing from and 
 upheld by tho popular will; and we contrast it with 
 the creed and practice of Federalism, under whatevor 
 name or form, which seeks to palsy the will of tho 
 constituent, and which conceives no imposture too 
 monstrous for the public credulity. 
 
 III. Resulved, therefore, That, entertaining these 
 views, the Democratic party of this Union, through 
 their delegates assembled in a Glonoral Convention, 
 coming together in a spirit of concord, of devotion to 
 the doctrines and faith of a free representative Gov- 
 ernment, and njipcaling to their fellow-citizens for 
 the rectitude of their intentions, renew and reasserts 
 before the American people the declarations of prin- 
 ciples avowed by thera when, on former occasions, in 
 (leneral Convention, they have presented their candi- 
 dates for the popular suffrages : 
 
 1. That the Federal Government is one of limited 
 powers, derivod solely from the Constitution, and tho 
 grants of power therein ought to be strictly construed 
 by all the departments and agents of the Govern- 
 ment ; and that it is inexpedient and dangerous to ex- 
 orcise doubtful constitutional powers. 
 
14 
 
 2. That tho Constitution does not confer upon the 
 Generul Govo-iiincnt the power to i.-omruenec and car- 
 ry on a gennral system of internal iiiiproveineiits. 
 
 3. That thf! Constitution docs not confer authority 
 upon the Federal Governinenf, directly or iudiiootly, 
 to' assuiiu! the debts of t..o several States, coiitracted 
 tor local and internal iinprovonionts or other ytafo 
 purposes; nor would such assumption be juSt or ex- 
 pedietii. 
 
 •i. That justice and sound policy forbid th« Fcd- 
 fral Government to t'o.-tcr one hrancn of industry to 
 tho detriment of any other, or to cherish the interests 
 of one portion to the injury of another portion ol our 
 common country; that every citizen, and every sec- 
 tion of tho country, has a right to demand and insist 
 upon an equalily of rights and privileges, and to com- j 
 plete and ample protection of persons and property i 
 from domestic violence or foreign aggression- 
 
 5. That it is the duty of every branch of the Gov- 
 ernment to oiforce and practice the most rigid econ- j 
 omy in conducting our public alFairs, and that no | 
 more revenue oughfi to bo raised than is required to I 
 defray the necessary expense's of tho Govorniflent, ; 
 and for the gradual but certain extinction of tho pub- | 
 lie dsbt. '" _ I 
 
 6. That Congress has no power to charter a Nation- ; 
 al Bank ; that we believe sucli an institution ono of 
 deadly hostility to the l)est interests of the country, \ 
 dangerous to our repuldican institutions and the li'J- 
 erties of the people, and calculated to place the husi- j 
 ness of the country within tlie cuntroi of a conceti- | 
 trated money power, and aliovo the laws and tho wi" ! 
 of the people; and that the results (f Democvatie j 
 legislation, in this and all other financial meiisuies 
 upon which issues hnvo been made between tho two | 
 political parties of tho country, have demonstrated, 
 to candid and practical men of ail parties, their sound- | 
 ness, safety, and utility, iu all business parsuits. 
 
 7. That the separation of the moneys of the Gov- 
 ernment from banking institutions is indispensable 
 for tho safety of the funds of the Government and the 
 rights of the people. 
 
 a. That tho liberal principles embodied by JelTer- 
 son in the Declaration of independence, and sane 
 tioned in the Constitution, wliich makes ours the land of 
 liberty and the asylum of tho oppr<\sscd of every na- 
 tion, have ever been e;irdinal principles in the Demo- 
 cratic faith : and every attempt to abridge the privi- 
 lege of becoming citizens and the owners of soil among 
 us ought to be resisted with the same spirit which 
 swept the alien and sedition laws from our .statute 
 books. 
 
 9. That Congres.5 hag no power under the Constitu- 
 tion to interfere with or control the domestic institu- 
 tions of tho several States, and that such States are 
 the sole and proper judges of everything appertaining 
 to tlieir own affairs, not jirohibited by the Constitu- 
 tion ; that all efforts of tho Abolitionists or others, 
 made to induce Congress to interfere with questions of 
 slavery, or to take incipient steps in relation thereto., 
 are calculated to lead to the most alarming and dan- 
 gerous consequences; and that all such elTorts have an 
 inevitable tendency to diminsh the happiness of the 
 people and endanger the stability and permanency of 
 tho Union, and ought not to bo countenanced by any 
 friend of our political institutions. 
 
 IV. Resolved, That tho foregoing proposition cov- 
 ers and was intended to embrace the whole subject of 
 slavery agitation in Congress ; and therefore the Dem- 
 ocratic party of the Union, standing on this national 
 platform, will abide by and adhere to a faithful exe- 
 cution of the acts known as tho Compromise meas- 
 ures settled by the last Congress, '■ the act for re- 
 claiming fugitives from service or labor '' included : 
 •which act, being designed to carry out an express pro- 
 vision of the Constitution, cannot with fidelity there- 
 to be repealed or so changed as to destroy or impair 
 its efficiency. 
 
 V. Rosolwd, That the Democratic party will resist 
 
 fill attempts at renewing, in Congress or out of it, tho 
 agitation of the slavery question, under whatever 
 sh.ipo or color llio ;;tti'i!ij)t may bo nirdo. 
 
 Vf. Rcsolciil, 'J'!\:.t the pro-.teeds of ti;e public lands 
 ought to be Siicreniy applied to tho national objects 
 specilied in the Constitution ; and that we arc opposed 
 to any law fur the distribution of such proct cds among 
 the Slates, !!< alike in''.\pe(!ie.Ht in p(dicy and repug- 
 nant to the Constitii:i'>n. 
 
 VII. Resoiveil, That we arc decidedly opposed to 
 taking from the Pre.«ident the qualified veto power, 
 by which he is enalded. under restrictions and respon- 
 sibilities amply sut'iL-icnt to guaid the public interest, 
 to suspend the pa.-'-iM.rc c/f a lull whose merits cannot 
 scenic the ap^proval of two tiiirds of the Senate and 
 llouso of Kepresontatives until the judgment of the 
 people c.-^n be obtained thereon, and which has saved 
 the /unc-.'ican iiooi)le troui the corrupt and tyrannical 
 dominaiiou or the V<:xv\ of the T'nitcd States, and 
 from a cori'upting sj'.steia of g'Jiioral internal improve- 
 men*"R. 
 
 VIII. Rcsolvr/I, That the Democratic party will 
 faithfully abide i^y and uphold the principles laid 
 iJown in the Kentucky an(i A'irginia resolutions ot 
 17'.i8, and in the report of Mr. JiMdison to the Virginia 
 Legislature in iiii'.! ; that it adopts those principles as 
 constituting one i^f tne main foundations of Its politi- 
 cal creed, and i.-s resolvo.l lo carry them out in their 
 obvious meaning and import. 
 
 IX. Rp.solccd, That ttie war -with Mexico, upon all 
 the princiirlcs oi' })a(riotisni !ind tiie lav, s of n;i(ion';, 
 wa.s ajiisliiiid n.re s.-;ry ivim'oji our jvirt, in which 
 every American citi/.en sluuiid h;n c shown himself on 
 the side of iiis coutitry, and nc-ilher morally nov phys- 
 ically, by word or deed, have given " aid and comfort 
 to the enemy.'' 
 
 X. Rfsolvfd, That we rejoice at the restoraiinn of 
 friendly relations with our sister KepuMie of Mexico, 
 and earnestly desire for her all the blessings an<l pros- 
 perity v.'hich wc enjoy under republican institu- 
 tions : anit we congratulate the American people upon 
 the results of that war, which have so manifestly just- 
 ified the polic3' and conduct of the Democratic party, 
 and insured to the United States " indemnity lor tho 
 past, and security for the ftiLure." 
 
 XI. Rrso/rtd. That, in view of the condition of 
 popular in.stitutions in the Old World, a high ;ind sa- 
 cred duty is devolved, with increased responsibility, 
 upion tlie Dcmociatic party of this country, as the par- 
 ty of the prnji/.f, to uphold and mnintain the rights ot 
 every State, and thereby tho Union of the States, and 
 to sustain and advance among us constitutional liber 
 ty, by continuiiig to resist all monopolies and exclusive 
 lejr;=!ation fur the benefit of the low at the expense of 
 the many, and by a vigilant ami constant adherence 
 to those principles and compromises of the Constitu- 
 tion which are broad enough and strong enough to 
 embrace and uphold the Union as it was, the Union as 
 lit is, and the Union as it shall be, in th.e full expan- 
 sion of the energies and capacity of this great and pro- 
 gressive people. 
 
 THE WHIG PLATFORM. 
 
 ADOPTED AT BALTIMORE, JUNE 8, 1852. 
 
 The Whigs of the United States, in Convention as- 
 sembled, firmly adhering to the great conservative 
 republican principles by which they arc controlled 
 and governed, and now, as over, relying upon the 
 intelligence of the American pcojile. with an abiding 
 confidence in their capacity for self-government and 
 their continued devotion to the Constitution and the 
 Union, do prochiim the following as the political sen- 
 timents and determinations, for the establishment 
 and maintenance of which their national organization 
 as a party is effected : 
 
 I. Tho Government2,of the United States is of a 
 
15 
 
 limited character, and it is confined to the exercise 
 of powers expressly granted by the Constitution, and 
 tuch as may be necessary and proper for carrying the 
 granted powers into full execution, and that all pow- 
 ers not thus granted or necessarily implied are ex- 
 pressly 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 in its constitutional powers, and the Union 
 ehould be revered and watched over as "the palladi- 
 um of our liberties. ' 
 
 III. That while struggling; freedom, everywhere, 
 
 ^'DEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC TLATFOM. 
 
 ADOPTED AT PITTSBURGH, AUGUST 12, 1853 
 
 Ilaviiig assembled in National Convention as tho 
 delegates of the Uree Democracy of the United States, 
 united by a. common reyolve to maintain right against 
 wrongs, and freedom against slavery ; confiding in tb« 
 intelligence, patriotism, and the discriminating justice 
 of the American people ; putting our trust in God for 
 the triumph of our cau.^e, and invoking his guidance 
 in our endeavors to advance it, v/e now submit to tho 
 enlists the warmest sympathy of tho Whig party, we i candid judgment of jill men the following declaration 
 still adhere to the doctrines of the Father of his | of principles and measures : 
 
 Country, as announced in his Farewell Address, of 1. That Governments, deriving their just powcr.T 
 keeping ourselves free from all entangling alliances i from the consent of the governed, are instituted among 
 ■with foreign countries, and of never quitting our own j men to secure to all, those inalienable i-ighls of lifo, 
 to stand upon foreign ground. That our mission as a I liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, with which they 
 Republic is not to propagate our opinions, or impose j were endowed bj' their Creator, and of which none can 
 on other countries our form of government, by artifice be deprived by valid legislation, except for orimo. 
 or force, but to teach by example, and show by our ! 2. That the true mission of American Democracy is 
 Bucccss, moderation, and justice, the blessings of self- ! to maintain the liberties of the people, the sovereignty 
 government and the advantages of free institutions. ! of the States, and the perpetuity of the Union, by the 
 
 IV. That where the people make and control the | impartial application to public affairs, without section- 
 Government, they should obey its constitution, laws, al diseriminiitions, of the fundamental principles of 
 and treaties, as they would retain ihcir self respect, 1 equal rights, strict justice, and economical admiriistra- 
 fcnd the respect which they claim and >t:11 enforce I tion. 
 
 from foreign powers. j 3. That the Federal Government is one of limited 
 
 V. Government should be conducted upon princi- i powers, derived solely from the Constitution : and tht- 
 ples of the strictest economy, and revenue suiScient ' grants of power therein ought to be strictly construed 
 for the expenses thereof, in time of peace, ought to be I by all the departments and agents of the Government, 
 mainly derived from a duty on imports, and not from j and it is inexpi-dient and dangerous to exercise donbt- 
 direct taxes ; and, in levying such duties, sound policy ! fill constitutional powers. 
 requires a just discrimination and protection from " ''"''"* **"" n^,.^r.t„i; 
 
 4. That the Constitution of the United States, or- 
 
 fraud by specific duties, when practicable, whereby I dained to form a more perfect union, to establish jus- 
 assured to American tice, and secure the blessings of liberty, expressly de- 
 
 suitablc cncouiagcment may be 
 
 industry, equally to all classes and to all portions of 
 
 the country. 
 
 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 exercise that power luhenever such iiiqnovetnents 
 are nrcfssary for the common defiiiCK or for the. protec- 
 tion and facility of commerce with foreign nations or 
 among tho States , such improvements being, in every 
 instance, national and general in their character. 
 
 VII. The Federal and State Governments are parts 
 of one sj'stcm, alike necessary for the common pros- 
 perity, jK?ace, and security, and ought to be regarded 
 alike with a cordial, habitual, and immovable attach- 
 ment. Respect for the authority of each, and acqui- 
 escence in the constitutional measures of each, are du- 
 ties required by tho plainest consideration of Nation- 
 al, of State, and individual welfare. 
 
 VIII. The scries of acts of the 3Ist Congress, com- 
 monly known as the Compromise or Adjustment, (the 
 act for the recovery of fugitives from labor included.) 
 
 nies to the General Government all power to deprive 
 any person of life, liberty, or property, without due 
 process of law ; and therefore tho Government, having 
 no more power to make a slave than to make, a king, 
 and no more power to establish slavery than to estab- 
 lish monarch}', 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. 
 
 6. That, to the persevering and importunate de- 
 mands of the slave power for more slave States, new 
 slave Territories, and tho 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 Con.stitution, to the principles of the common 
 
 are received and acquiesced in by tho Whigs of the law, to the spirit otCnnstianity, and to the sentiments 
 United States as a final settlement, in principle and sub- ' o* t^"? civilized world. We therefore deny its b.ndmg 
 stance, of the subjects to which thev relate ; and so far force upon the American People, and demand us im- 
 
 as these acts are concerned, we will maintain them, and 
 insist on their stnct enforcement, until time and experi- 
 ence shall demonstrate the necessity of further legisla- 
 tion to guard against the evasion of tho laws on the 
 one hand, and tho abuse of their powers on the other, 
 not impairing their present efficiency to carry out the 
 requirements of the Constitution ; and we deprecate all 
 further agitation of the questions thus settled, as dan- i ■ c,. ^ .■ \ +f,„ „.i«„f ,„ ^t- ^ti,^- 
 
 . ° l^„n.j- f „„«„.,ii off„,.t<- I sovereign State contingent upon the adoption ot other 
 
 eerous to our peace, and will discountenance all enorts '•"' & , i , i »v, * • i- < „-Lf ,f=.i „,.„-„ 
 
 f .. ' ' u ■* *■ ,„!..„ ,. .. ^\^^y measures demanded bv the special interest 01 slavery 
 
 to continue or renew such agitation, whenever, wner- , ' . , - f r i „ • r w < 
 
 , , , " ., ' . . ; . . bv their omission to guaranty freedom in free ierri- 
 
 ever, or however made ; and we will maintam this set- "■/ . , :,..,,*' ^^ ^. •; ■^..^: , 
 
 tlemeot as essential to tho nationality of the Whig 
 parly and the integrity of the Union. 
 
 mediate and total repeal. 
 
 8. That the doctrine that any human law is a finali- 
 ty, and not subject to modification or repeal, is not in 
 accordance with the creed of the founders of our Gov- 
 ernment, and is dangerous to the liberties of the peo- 
 ple. 
 
 9. That the acts of Congress known as the Compro- 
 mise Measures of 1S50, by making the admission of a 
 
 JOHN G. CHAPMAN, 
 
 of Maryland, 
 Pruident of the Whig National Convention. 
 
 tories; by their attempt to impose unconstitutional 
 limitations on the power of Congress and the people to 
 admit new States; by their provisions for the assump- 
 tion 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 
 
16 
 
 claim, and by their invasion of tlie sovereignty of the 
 States and the liberties of the people through the en- 
 actment of an unjust, oppressive, and unconstitutional 
 Fugitive Slave Law, are proved to be inconsistent witli 
 all the principles and maxims of Democracy, and wholly 
 inadequate to the settlement of the questions of which 
 <,hey are claimed to be an adjustment. 
 
 10. Tlyit no permanent settlement of the slavery 
 question can be looked foi", except in the practical 
 recognition of the truth that slavery is sectional, and 
 freedom national ; by the total separation of the G en- 
 eral Government from slavery, and the exercise of its 
 legitimate and constitutional inlluence on the side of 
 freedom ; and by leaving to the States the whole sub- 
 ject of slavery and the extradition of fugitives from 
 
 service. 
 
 11. That all men have a natural right to a portion 
 of the soil ; and that, as the use of the soil is indispen- 
 sable to life, tlie right of all men to the soil is as sacred 
 as their right to life itself. 
 
 12. That the public lands of the United States be- 
 long to the peo.ple, and should not be sold to individu- 
 als 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 land- 
 less settlers. 
 
 1.3. That a due regai'd for the Federal Constitution, 
 and sound administrative policy, demand that the funds 
 of the General Government be kept separate from bank- 
 ing institutions; that inland and ocean postage should 
 be reduced to the lowest possible point ; that no tnore 
 revenue should be raised than is required to defray the 
 strictly necessary expen.:^es of the public service, and to 
 pay off the public debt : and that the power and patron- 
 age of the Government should be diminished by the ab- 
 olition of all unnecessary offices, salaries, and privileges, 
 and by the election by the people of all civil olKcers in 
 the service of tlie United State;^, so far as may be con- 
 sistent with the prompt and efficient transaction of the 
 public business. 
 
 14. That river and harbor improvements, when ne- 
 cessary to the safety and convenience of commerce 
 with foreign nations or among the several States, are 
 objects of national concern, and it is the duty of Con- 
 gress in the exercise of its constitutional powers to 
 provide for 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 bo resisted with 
 inflexil)le 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 rij^ht is a dangerous violation 
 of the law of nations, against which all independent 
 Governments sdould protest, and endeavor by all prop- 
 er means to prevent ; and especially is it the duty 
 ol the American Government, representing the chief 
 Rejiublic 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 republican or constitutional Govern- 
 ments. 
 
 17. That the independence of Ilayti ought to be 
 recognised 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 privileges and im- 
 munities of citizens of the several States,"' the prac- 
 tice of imj)risoning colored seamen of other States, 
 while the vessels to wliich they belong lie in port, and 
 refusing to exercise the right to bring such oases be- 
 fore the Supreme Court of the United States, to test 
 the legality of such proceedings, is a flagrant viola- 
 tion of the Constitution, and an invasion of the rights 
 of the citizens of other State.?, 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 Uni- 
 ted States and foreign nations, of some provision for 
 the amicable settlement of difficulties by a resort to 
 decisive arbitration. 
 
 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 renounc- 
 ing both, as hopelessly corrujit, and utterly unworthy 
 of confidence, the purpose of the Free Democracy is to 
 take possession of the Federal Government, and ad- 
 minister it for the better protection of tho rights and 
 interests of the whole people. 
 
 21. That we inscribe on our banner. Free Soil, 
 Free Speech, Free L.\bor, and Free Men, and 
 under it will fight on and fight ever, until a triumph- 
 ant victory shall reward our exertions. 
 
 22. That upon this Piatform the Convention pre- 
 sents to the American People, as a candidate for tho 
 oflice of President of the United States, JOHN P. 
 HALE, of New Hampshire, and as a candidate for the 
 office of Vice President of the United States, George 
 W. Julian, of Indiana, and earnestly commends them 
 to the support of all freemen and parties. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS