Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/463

Rh On the 21st of April the republicans met in convention and brought out their platform; which was, in brief, devotion to the union, and the right of independent action in the states, subject only to the constitution of the United States; declaring the wisdom of the constitution in relation to slavery, yet opposed to its extension; recognizing the fact that the constitution vested the sovereignty of the territories in congress, yet not forgetting that congress might delegate the exercise of that sovereignty partly or wholly to the people of the territories, and favoring such delegation so far as consistent with free labor and good government. It declared the intervention of congress for the protection of slavery in the territories, demanded by leading democrats, a gross infraction of popular and national rights, which should be resisted by free men. It was opposed to placing large sums of money in the hands of the executive with authority to purchase territory as he chose without the consideration of congress; and while welcoming those of the white race who came to the United States to enjoy the blessings of free institutions, held that the safety of those institutions depended upon the enforcement of the naturalization laws of the country. These were the real points at issue. But in order to add strength to the platform, it was resolved by the convention that the interests of Oregon, as well as the whole union, demanded the passage of the homestead bill, and the speedy construction of the Pacific railroad. Internal improvements of a national character, a tariff sufficient to meet the current expenses of the government which should discriminate in favor of home industry, a free gift of a