The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-12-06
Local MATTHRe.


Know Nornlse PLAryonn.-We lay be-
fore our readers this morning the platform 81
the Americas Know Nothing) Party having
had the good fortune to receive copy from
friend residing In the city in which i was
printed. As an item Of news it will doubt
less be read by all who desire to know any
thing of the workings of this mysterious
order:
Bdsas Principles Of the american Party of
Tirginia.
Determined to preserve our political insti-
tutions in their original purity and vigor, and
TO keep them unadulterafed and unimpaired
by foreign influence, either civil or religious,
as well as by home faction and home dema-
gogueism; and believing that an American
policy, religious, political and commercial,
necessary for the attainment of these ends,
we shall observe and carry out in practice,
the following principles =
l. That the suffrages ofthe American peo-
pie for political offices, should not be given
to any others then those born on our soil, and
reared and maturedunde the influence of our
institutions.
9. That no foreigner ought to be allowed to ex-
ercise the elective FRANCHISE till he shall have resi-
ded within the United States sufficient length of
time to have become acquainted with the princi-
pies and imbued with the spirit of our institutions,
and until he shall have become thoroughly denti-
| fed with the great interests OF our country.
| g. That whilst no obstacle should be interposed
TO the immigration of all foreigners OF honest and
industrious habits, and all privileges and immuni-
mites enjoyed by any native born citizen of our
country should be extended to all such fmmi-
grants except that of participating in any of our
political administrations yet all legal means
should be adopted to obstruct and prevent the i'm
migration of the vicious and worthless, the crimi-
| nal and pauper.
4. That the american doctrine OF religious tole-
Il obi IF oil Ipfin far
opinions sake, should be cherished as one OF the
yery fundamental principles of our civil freedom,
and that any sect or party which believes and main
tains that any foreign power, religious or political
has the right control the conscience or direct the
conduct OF freeman, occupies position which ID
totally at war with the principle OF freedom Ut opn
ion, and which ia mischievious In its tendency, and
which principle If carried into practice would
prove wholly destructive OF our religious and civil
liberty.
S. That the Bible in the hands of every free cti
gen. 10 the only permanent basis of all true liberty
and genuine equality.
g. That the intelligence of the people necessary
to the right and the continuance of our liberties
civil and religious. hence the proprety and impor.
lance OF the promotion and fostering of all means
Of moral and intellectual culture, by some adequate
and permanent provision tor general education. >
7. Tha. the doctrine of Availability, now preva
lent and controlling, in the nomination ofcanditatef
for Office in total disregard of all principles OF right
of TRUTH aud of justice, Is essentially wrong, and
| should be by all good men condemned.
| s. That as q general rule, the same restrictions
should be prescribed to the exercise of the power
of removal from office, are made necessary to be
observed in the power OF appointment thereto and
| that executive influence and patronage, should
be scrupulously conferred and jealousy guarded
9. That the sovereignty of the States should be
supreme In the exercise of all powers not expressly
delegated to the Federal Government and which
may not be necessary and proper to carry out the
powers 80 delegated, and that this principle should
be observed and held sacred in all organizations oil
| the American party.
| TO- That all sectarian intermeddling with poll
| tics or political institutions, coming from what
ever source it may should be promptly resisted by
all such means as seem to be necessary and proper
| for this end.
H. That whilst the perpetuity of the present form
OF the Federal Government of the United States, is
actually necessary for the proper development OF
all the resources ofthis country yet the principle
of nonntervention, both the part of the Federal
Government and of the several States of the Union,
in the municipal affairs of each other is essential to
the peace and prosperity ofour country, and to the
well being and permanence OF our institutions, and
at the time the only reliable bond of brother.
| hood and union.
| H. That Red Republicanism and licentious indul.
gence in the enjoyment of civil privileges, as
much to be feared and deprecated by all friends to
well regulated government and true liberty, as any
| of the forms of monarchy and despotism
49, That the true interest and welfare of this coun
try the honor OF this nation, the individual and
private rights of its citizens conspire to demand
that all other questions arising from party organ
zations or from any other source, should be held
subordinate to and in practice made to yield to the
| great principles her Elm promulgated