American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-06-30
The American Platform.

|cAH TLhltOhNl AMI
lI. The acknowledgement of that Almigh-
Nk Being, who rules over the Universe, VINO
+ Bresiles over the Councils of NatIons7-who
CONDUCTS the affairs of men, and wig. III e.
very step by which we have adysnced to the
character of an Independent. .iation, mas als-
tnguished us by some ,oksfi Of Providential
agency. ....
H. The cultivation and development OF
sentiment Of profoundly intense American
Feeling; of passionate attachment 10 our
country, its history and its institutions; OF
admiration for the purer days of our nation
al existence; of venera,ion for tho heroism
that precipitated our Revolution, and OF en-
ulaion for the virtue, wisdom ana patrio'-
ism that framed our Constitution and FIRST
successfully applied its provisions.
III. The maintenance of the Union OF
these United States as the paramount politI-
cal good; or to use the language Of Washing
ton, "the primary object of patriotic desire"
And hence:
LIST. Opposition to all attempts to weaken
or subvert it.
End. Uncompromisiug antagonsm TO cv-
cry principle of policy that endangers It.
Sd. The advocacy of an equitable ADJUST
ment of all political differences which threa-
tens its integrity or perpetuity. ...
4lh. The suppression of all tendencles 10
political divisions, founded on "geographl-
ca! determinations, or on the pellet that
there is real difference of interests and
,,,aD hate, al,
Union.
5ih The full recognition of the rights OF
the several States, as expressed and reserved
in the Constitution, and careful avoidance,
by the General Government, Of all lnterler-
ence with the rights by legislative oreX-
ecutiye action.
w. Obedience to the Constitution OF
these United States, as the supreme law OF
the land, sacredy obligatory upon oil lis
parts and members; and steadfast resistance
to the spirit of innovation upon its principles,
however specious the pretexts. AvowlnS
tina, in all doubtful or disputed poiatS 1t may
only be legally ascertained and eXpounded
by the Judicial power of the United States
And as z corolIary to the aboses----'.
~ VI tNTaTit Jsievefenifal obedence 20 Tie
laws, whether National, State, or Munic'-
! pal, until Trey a.e either repealed or declar-
! ed uncons. 'utional by the proper authority.
Q. A t.. Ter and sacred regard for those
acts of 81, ,manship, which are to be con-
tradistingui red from acts or ordinary legs
]ation, by , fact Of their being OF the ma
ture of con oacts and agreements and so, to
be consider a fixed aud settled national
I policy. 10 ,/.~
V. A RAJ cal revision and modification OF
the laws H.. tulating immigration, and the
seitems ( immigrants. OheriDS to the
homes! INN grant, who from love of liberty
~ ,a,red 0. 1ppression, seeks an asylum In
~ United States, friendly reception and
1rott cton. But unqualfedly condemnins
he ira SIN. sion to our shores, of felons and
paupcrs
4 VI he essential modification Of the Ma
~turaliZatpp Laws.
IheLetn0l by the Legislatures Of the res
pective ST Yes, of all the State laws allowing
foreigners o! naturalized to vote.
The rep !, without retroactive operation
of all acts o. Congress making rants OF land
to uUnaturaizod foreigners al allowing
them TO votstin the Territories.
VlI.-Hosliity to the coruptS 1eans by
which tho lei ders of party have hitherto
forced upon US our rulers and political creed.
lmplacable enmity against the present
demoralzing system of rewards for poilti--
cal subsergienc@ and of punishments for po-
lItica independence.
Disgust for tie wild hunt after office
Il which charactcrizes the age.
y These on the onh hand. On the other
Imitation Of the practice Of purer days OF
the RepuSlic; and admiration Of the maxim
that "ofIice should seek tho man, and not
man the Office" and of the rule that, the
just mode of asceriainlng fitness fof Office,
/ is The capability, the faithfuIness, and the
honesty Of the incumbent or candidate.
VIII Resistance to he aggressive policy
and couupting tendencies of the Roman "a
tholic Church in our country by the advance
ment 10 all political stations--executive,
legislative, judicial and diplomatc--of those
only who do net hoN oRil allegiance, di-
rec,ly or indirtctly,'i9 any foreign power,
whether cisi' or ecclesiastical, and who are
Americans by birth, education and training;
thus fttiilling the maxim "ANEaicANs ONLY
SnAlL GOVERN AMERICA"
re protection Of all citizens in the legal
an ,bper exercise of their civil and reli'
{. ghts and privileges; tho maintenance
of The sht Of every man to the full unre-
slraine, and peaceful enjoyment Of his own
religious opinions and worship, ont jealous
resistance of all attempts, by any sect de-