Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-12-20
BASIS PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERICAN FAR.
TY0F VIRGINIA.

I
tutions 10 their original purity and sigor. and
~ keep them uhadaltered ard ruitnpaifed by
foreign influence, either civil Or religious, ss
well as by home faction and bone dema-
gogueism, and believing that an American
policy. religious. political and commercial, is
necessary for the attainment Of these ends.
We shall. observe aud carry out ia practice,
the following principles -
| That the suGragss Of the American
people for political offices. shouN not be
given to airy others than those 3ofn ca cur
soil, and reared ard matured uuder the In :
lgenee o. our Institutions.
z That 10 foreigner ought TO he allowed
70 exercise the elective franchise, III! be sbal!
baYe resided witbin tie United states sui
Geient length Of time to eoable him to become
acquainted With the Iriaciples and lmbped
4 viii tie spsfit Of cur Institutions, aud uptil
ho shall bave become thoroughly Identified
With tie great iaterests # cur country.
3. Tha. while no object should be IN err
posed to the immigration Of all foreigners Of
industrious habits, aud al privileges aid In-
munilies enjoyed By any native bora citizen
Of our country should he extended to oil such
emi9ranti, except that If participating 10
any Of our political administrations; yet all
! legal means should ba adopted to DISTRICT
and prevent the immigration Of TIE vicious
aud worthless. the criminal aud the rauper
A. That the American doctrine OF religious
federation, and entire absence 81 al lr9ser'p-
tion FOR opinion sake Should be cherished
as one Of tie very Fundamental principles Of
our civil freedom and tina. any sect or party
which believes and maintains that any foreign
power. religious Or political. hiss right 70
control the conscience of direct the conduct
Of freeman, occupies position which is to
tally at war with the principles Of freedom OF
opinion. and which is misctievous 10 its ten
dency. and which prineifle if carried into
practice wholly destructive Of cur religious
and civil liberty
5. ! bat TIE Biblo 10 the bands Of every /
free citizen, IS the only permanent basis Of
all true liberty and geauiue equality.
6 That the Intelligence Of tie people is
necessary to the right use aud continuance Of
our liberties. civil and religious; hence the
oropriety and Importance OF tie promotion
nd fostering Of all means Of moral aud intel
ertual culture, BY some adequate aud per-
nauent education
r That the doctrine Of availability, row
% nseyalent and controlling, IN the uomina
ion Of candidates fgr ofhee, in total isregard
f all principles Of right, truth, aud Of justice
5 essentially wrong, aud should be ~ all
.ood men condemned.
s. That as general rule. the same res
Iietions should BE prescribed to tile exercise
t the power Of removal from office, as are
1ade necessary TO be observed in the power
{ appointment thereto: and that executive
aAloace aad patronage should he scrupu,
ously conferred and jealously guarded
8. That the sovereignty Of the States
hOuld be supreme in the exercise of all pow
rs not expressly delegated to the Federal
Government, and Which may not be necessa-
$ aud proper to carry out the powers so del.
gated, and that this principle should be ob
esved and held sacred in all organizations eff
be American party.
10 That oil sectasisn intelmeddling with
,olitcs u Political institutions, coming from
ghltcyer source il NAV, should be promptly
csisted by I'll such means as scem to be ua-
,cssary and moper fot this cad
] /. That whilst The perpetu!y Of the pre-
sent form Of the Fedcyal Government of the
United States. is actuaily necessary for tie
proper development Of al the resourse Of
This country, yet the piileiyle os non utter
set ton, 10th on the part Of tie Federal Gov
5rament and Of the several States of the |
Union, in the municipal affairs Of each other.
IS essential to the peace ard prosperity of
our country. and to tie well being and per-
manence Of cur Institutions and at the same
time, The only reliable bond of brotherhood
aad union.
II That Rcd Repubicauism ana lieeu-
thus Indulgence in :ho enjoyment Of eigil
privileges are as much to be feared and dep
reca;ci by all friends to well regulated gov.
ernmeat and true liberty, as any Of the forms
Of monarchy and despotism.
IL. That the true Interests aud welfare Of
this country. the hoaor Of tits nation, the in
di,lu'l md private tights Of its citizens,
conspire tn demand tia, al other questions
arising fCom porty organizations or irom an
other source. should be held subordinate to
and ia practice made 10 yie.l to the eren.
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