Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1854-10-11
Preamble and Resolutions Of the Anne.
rican Party.

meeting, at Dover, together with the nominees.
As it is matter that Interests alive give be-
low, the preamble and several of the more i'm
portant resolutions, adopted by that body, re-
GREETING that we have not space for more -
WHEREAS, 1t is now conceded by all candid
men that the issues upon measures Of policy
which formerly divided the Wing and Demo
cratic parties have, in a great measure. ceased I
to exist; And Whereas, in the opinion of this |
meeting, 1t is right and proper that all true
patriots and honest men should agree to sacri- !
lice old party prejudlces for the good of their
country; And Whereas it is also the sense of
those here assembled that the time has arrived
when that sacrifice should be made and new
party organized upon sound American princi-
pies; Therefore, ,-..---.
Resolved, That as free citizens of the State
of Delaware, and of the United States of Ame-
rlca, we will throw aside all our old party feuds
and predictions, and mutually pledge our
selves to a new political organization to be
known as THE AMERICAN PARTY.
Resolved, That we proclaim as the cardinal
principle OF this organization, the doctrine, that
Americans shall govern America, without
winch IL Is but an empty boast to assert, that
we ENJOY the blessing OF seli-government
RESOLVED, That the right to cote is the right
10 gOrern, ana that 10 those only who are sub
Jccted to the responsibilities of American citi-
zcnslnp, should the right to govern ever be con-
cedcd
Resolved, That the fact, exhibited bv the
returns OF tIe late census that a minority of the
crime ana i1uPcrinI Il, the Ua.tcd States, is
"cc1s on@d b. tho !'.r"rt emigration into this
country. and c:poci, ,,y the f ct that out of
-7,0iW CRIMINALS N the En)'"4 States in 1850
1860 were .orci: n"r,'. whist foreigners COM
pose but one-eign;h o. or f@nuldtica, are evils
that cry aloud lar redress ana rcioll tUr which
among Chr Objects - have thja day issrHn,
bled. That 10 effect tbs raforla ea,.'. l..o.;f
cation OF our naturalization ana ctn;yr.t;cn
laws is necessary; and is d9manieA " the
rights and IN efcsts ii the rcsl,, ctahe ;.atur,-
zedcitlzens " hose privileges we seek III min
tam as well Us our cyn: md al.o by ever. dc
! tate OF patriotism aad u3lioual honor
hcSo!Ved, That We rccO rnizr as a funJa,nr,-
TAI principle OF our organization the true .A-ue-
rIcuh doctrine cnbOGlr;i in uGr STATE, C,t+,itI,.
tioh'" mt 10 power Eh,..l or cu4ht to be e-tt,,
Ills or assumed by ay magistrate, that ,iia Z. in
any case, interfere with O. ia amr manner co,-
trol the rights oi conscience in the free ey,,r.
else OF Religious worship; ncr Il pref renee, be
given by law TO any religious eC,ttics, ,cDoY,j-
nations, or modes of WORSHIP" That as t,.j,.o,.
OF religious tolcration ii e ..!on Of c,l.c .enca
and freedom of speech ana thought, we hold II
our duty to protect and defend these Dr,ncipIr,
from desecratlon no matter from what source
the assault upon them may proceed But that
While we VIII and IN maintaining the RELIGIOUS
privileges otall others, We will confer no power
10 abuse or deny our own, upon any who snail
evlnce disposition TO invade them.
Resolved, That we will ever welcome to our
al nt,IIt
Old World; that we shall rejoice to furnish
them with an asylum from oppression. and n
home in which they may safely enioy all the
blessings OF rational ciy!l liberty; that for the
sober, moral and industrious portion of orr ma
turailzed citizens, we shall ever cherish an nm
telgned regard and an honest attachment
Whle Tor the criminals and adventures who
nave lett Their own country for their conntry's
good, we shall neither feel nor teirn any AT
tachment or regard. We shall be more liberal
! 10 every foreigner, than England or anv other
European Government has ever been to MS -
On the Continent OF Europe, no foreigner can
ever be naturalizcd under any provisions of
! law but IN England, an American citizen NAV
become dcnizeR on certain conditions. il
winch state, his heirs may inherit his propertv.
put can In no event be entitled to any share of
tne public lands, or public bountes. Even in
England no alien can become naturalized NJ
any time, except by special act of Parliament
lol His particular case, which when obtained
frequently costs more than it is worth. We
wouid not Initiate this system Of exclusion, but
would gladly welcome 10 our country. every
honest aud industrious man in Europe. Win tb;s
proviso nevertheless, that while they ride with
us passage free, we shall drive.
RESOLVED, That to the naturalized citizens or
the United States, we tender the assurance.
that we VIII aid in protecting and MAINTAINING
them IN all their rights as now secured by law.
ana that IN no event will we seek to change
.her condition or to deprive them of the priyi-
iege OF voting as other American citizens ra
entitled to do. Their children in he United
states VIII be our countrymen, and as such.
entitled to every privilege enjoyed by ourselves
Resolved, That every member Of the "a rtv
this day formed, shall occupy such position in
1t as his merits entite hm to and that in tho
distribution OF Its patronage, no man shall he
preferred on account Of his faxmer political as.I
soclatlons, 1t being our determination to act in
all things upon the true principles of equity. |
merit and qualifications.
In relation to speakers, the Reporter gives
the following:
Rev L. b. Bradford addressed the MEETING
IN speech OF some length, the most of which /
was devoted to the Roman Catholics, declaring
Ihem a political sect in the guise of religion
John II. Jones, from Philadelphia, editor of the
american Tanner, then followed, his remarks
chiefly directed against foreign criminals and
paupers. Joseph P. Comegys, ESQ.,, then spoke,
declaring hmselfabsolved from connection with
all parties, and that he knew no other than the
American party. N. B. Smithers, ESD, sue
ceeded and endorsed the platform and the nomi-
nations. A Mr.. Smith, from Philadelphia.
closed the speaking, singing the " old oaken
bucket" and other songs, and amusing the
audience for two hours After which the meet
ing adjourned. At the afternoon session there
were some FIVE hundred persons present, about
one,third of whom seemed to be participators |