What was the 1860 republican platform

That the normal condition of all the territory of the United States is that of freedom: That, as our Republican fathers, when they had abolished slavery in all our national territory, ordained that "no persons should be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law," it becomes our duty, by legislation, whenever such legislation is necessary, to maintain this provision of the Constitution against all attempts to violate it; and we deny the authority of Congress, of a territorial legislature, or of any individuals, to give legal existence to slavery in any territory of the United States.

That we brand the recent reopening of the African slave trade, under the cover of our national flag, aided by perversions of judicial power, as a crime against humanity and a burning shame to our country and age; and we call upon Congress to take prompt and efficient measures for the total and final suppression of that execrable traffic. That in the recent vetoes, by their Federal Governors, of the acts of the legislatures of Kansas and Nebraska, prohibiting slavery in those territories, we find a practical illustration of the boasted Democratic principle of Non-Intervention and Popular Sovereignty, embodied in the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, and a demonstration of the deception and fraud involved therein.

That Kansas should, of right, be immediately admitted as a state under the Constitution recently formed and adopted by her people, and accepted by the House of Representatives. That, while providing revenue for the support of the general government by duties upon imports, sound policy requires such an adjustment of these imports as to encourage the development of the industrial interests of the whole country; and we commend that policy of national exchanges, which secures to the workingmen liberal wages, to agriculture remunerative prices, to mechanics and manufacturers an adequate reward for their skill, labor, and enterprise, and to the nation commercial prosperity and independence.

That we protest against any sale or alienation to others of the public lands held by actual settlers, and against any view of the free-homestead policy which regards the settlers as paupers or suppliants for public bounty; and we demand the passage by Congress of the complete and satisfactory homestead measure which has already passed the House.

That the Republican party is opposed to any change in our naturalization laws or any state legislation by which the rights of citizens hitherto accorded to immigrants from foreign lands shall be abridged or impaired; and in favor of giving a full and efficient protection to the rights of all classes of citizens, whether native or naturalized, both at home and abroad.

That appropriations by Congress for river and harbor improvements of a national character, required for the accommodation and security of an existing commerce, are authorized by the Constitution, and justified by the obligation of Government to protect the lives and property of its citizens.

That a railroad to the Pacific Ocean is imperatively demanded by the interests of the whole country; that the federal government ought to render immediate and efficient aid in its construction; and that, as preliminary thereto, a daily overland mail should be promptly established.

Finally, having thus set forth our distinctive principles and views, we invite the co-operation of all citizens, however differing on other questions, who substantially agree with us in their affirmance and support. That the normal condition of all the territory of the United States is that of freedom; that as our republican fathers, when they had abolished slavery in all our national territory, ordained that no "person should be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law," it becomes our duty, by legislation, whenever such legislation is necessary, to maintain this provision of the constitution against all attempts to violate it; and we deny the authority of congress, of a territorial legislature, or of any individuals, to give legal existence to slavery in any territory of the United States.

That we brand the recent re-opening of the African Slave Trade, under the cover of our national flag, aided by perversions of judicial power, as a crime against humanity, and a burning shame to our country and age, and we call upon congress to take prompt and efficient measures for the total and final suppression of that execrable traffic. That in the recent vetoes by the federal governors of the acts of the Legislatures of Kansas and Nebraska, prohibiting slavery in those territories, we find a practical illustration of the boasted democratic principle of non- intervention and popular sovereignty, embodied in the Kansas-Nebraska bill, and a demonstration of the deception and fraud involved therein.

That Kansas should of right be immediately admitted as a state, under the constitution recently formed and adopted by her people, and accepted by the House of Representatives. That while providing revenue for the support of the general government by duties upon imports, sound policy requires such an adjustment of these imposts as to encourage the development of the industrial interests of the whole country, and we commend that policy of national exchanges which secures to the workingmen liberal wages, to agriculture remunerating prices, to mechanics and manufacturers an adequate reward for their skill, labor and enterprise, and to the nation commercial prosperity and independence.

That we protest against any sale or alienation to others of the public lands held by actual settlers, and against any view of the free homestead policy which regards the settlers as paupers or suppliants for public bounty, and we demand the passage by congress of the complete and satisfactory homestead measure which has already passed the house.

That the Republican Party is opposed to any change in our naturalization laws, or any state legislation by which the rights of citizenship hitherto accorded by emigrants from foreign lands shall be abridged or impaired; and in favor of giving a full and efficient protection to the rights of all classes of citizens, whether native or naturalized, both at home and abroad.

Defense of Lincoln May 20, The Folly of Colonization January 09, Social Change and Reform. Chapter The Nullification Crisis. Temperance Address February 22, Inaugural Address March 04, December, July 10, A Plea for the West The Laboring Classes Record of the Organization and Proceedings of The Massachusetts Lawmakers Investigate Working Condit Declaration of Sentiments July 19, Time Table for Lowell Mills Marriage Protest May 02, Proclamation June 09, Consistent Democracy Address at Cooper Institute February 27, The Significance of the Frontier in American Histo Speech on Preserving the Union Force Bill of March 02, Excerpts from Ratification Documents of Virginia a June 26, An Address…Celebrating the Declaration of Independ July 04, December 19, State of the Union December 08, Remarks in Congress on the "Tariff of Abominations January 25, On the Nullifying Doctrine April 03, State of the Union December 06, Worcester v.

Georgia March 23, Proclamation Regarding Nullification December 10, Epitaph for the Constitution Lyrics to Jackson and the Nullifiers Second Inaugural Address March 04, State of the Union Address December 01, Farewell Address March 04, Spot Resolutions December 12, State of the Union Address December 07, Fragment on Government July 1, An Act to Organize the Territories of Nebraska and Letter to Henry L.

Letter to Henry Pierce and Others April 06, September, Sandford March 6, Speech on the Mexican-American War Missouri Compromise Act March 06, Veto Message of the Bill on the Bank of the United Debate on the National Bank Filibuster June, Voter Qualification Law November 16, Message to the Senate Protesting the Censure Resol April 15, Balloting for President Speech on Assuming Office of the President April 09, Religious Views: Letter to the Editor of the Illin August 11, Great Speech of Clay The Seven Stages of the Office Seeker Autobiography Speech at a Republican Banquet December 10, Letter to Lyman Trumbull December 28, Republican Party Platform of May 17, Democratic Party Platform Breckinridge Facti November 06, Commercial Republic.

Address to the Wisconsin State Agricultural Societ The Commercial Greatness of the United States Constitution September 26, Special Message to Congress Proclaiming the Tyler December 30, Estranged Labour and The Communist Manifesto September 14, What a Revival of Religion Is Religious Experience Baconianism and the Bible August 11, Mormonism and Jesuitism October 14, Democratic Party Platform of June, State of the Union Address December 12, State of the Union Address November 16, Speeches on the Removal Power March 07, Speech on the War with Mexico January 12, Political Chart: Presidential Campaign Defense and War.

Letter to the Editors of the National Intelligence April 17,