Studies in American History 
171 
o’clock on the following day but Howard of Indiana and 
Messrs. Duncan, Smith, and Walker, being loudly called for, 
each made a rousing speech in which he depicted the bright 
outlook for the success of the Democratic party in the coming 
election. 
When the convention reconvened on Wednesday, May 6, 
pursuant to adjournment, the committee on resolutions first 
made its report, as follows : 
(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 justice and sound policy forbid the federal gov- 
ernment to foster one branch of industry to the detriment of another, 
or to cherish the interest 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. 
(4) 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. 
(5) Resolved, That it is the duty of every branch of the govern- 
ment to enforce and practice the most rigid economy of conducting our 
public alfairs, and that no more revenue ought to be raised than is re- 
quired to defray the necessary expenses of the government. 
(6) Resolved, That Congress has no power to charter a United 
States Bank; that we believe such an institution one of deadly hostility 
to the best interests of the country, dangerous to our republican institu- 
tions and the liberties of the people, and calculated to place the business 
of the country within the control of a 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 apper- 
taining to their own affairs not provided by the Constitution; that all 
efforts of the abolitionists or others made to induce Congress to inter- 
fere with questions of slavery, or to take incipient steps in relation 
thereto, are calculated to lead to the most alarming and dangerous con- 
sequences, and that all such efforts have an inevitable tendency to 
diminish the happiness of the people, and endanger the stability and per- 
LVIII, 149. 
