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Schlesinger, Arthur M., jr, ed. History of American Presidential Elections, 1789-1968.
Vol. 1, 691-692. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1971.
Appendix
Democratic Platform
1840
1. Resolved, That the federal government is one of limited powers, derived
solely from the constitution, and the grants of power shown therein, ought to be
strictly construed by all the departments and agents of the government, and that
it is inexpedient and dangerous to exercise doubtful constitutional powers.
2. Resolved, That the constitution does not confer upon the general government
the power to commence and carry on, a general system of internal improvements.
3. Resolved, That the constitution does not confer authority upon the federal
government, directly or indirectly, to assume the debts of the several states, contracted
for local internal improvements, or other state purposes: nor would such assumption
be just or expedient.
4. Resolved, That justice and sound policy forbid the federal government to
foster one branch of industry to the detriment of another, or to cherish the interests
of one portion to the injury of another portion of our common country--that every
citizen and every section of the country, has a right to demand and insist upon an
equality of rights and privileges, and to complete and ample protection of person
and property from domestic violence, or foreign aggression.
5. Resolved, That it is the duty of every branch of the government to enforce
and practice the most rigid economy, in conducting our public affairs, and that no
more revenue ought to be raised, than is required to defray the necessary expenses
of the government.
6. Resolved, That congress has no power to charter a national bank: that we
believe such an institution one of deadly hostility to the best interests of the
country, dangerous to our republican institutions and the liberties of the people,
and calculated to place the business of the country within the control of a concentrated
money power. and above the laws and the will of the people.
7. Resolved, That congress has no power, under the constitution to interfere
with or control the domestic institutions of the several states, and that such states
are the sole and proper judges of everything appertaining to their own affairs, not
prohibited by the constitution: that all efforts by 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 dangerous consequences,
and that all such efforts have an inevitable tendency to diminish the happiness of
the people, and endanger the stability and permanency of the union, and ought not
to be countenanced by any friend to our political institutions.
8. Resolved, That the separation of the moneys of the government from banking
institutions, is indispensable for the safety of the funds of the government, and
the rights of the people.
9. Resolved, That the liberal principles embodied by Jefferson in the Declaration
of Independence, and sanctioned in the constitution, which makes ours the land of
liberty, and the asylum of the oppressed of every nation, have ever been cardinal
principles in the democratic faith; and every attempt to abridge the present privilege
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-book.
