Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-29


The Convention of the AMERICAN PARTY
OF VIRGINIA, which met at Winchester, on
Tuesdey, the 18th Of March, appointed the under
signed committee, to make publication, over their
names, of the following o'r sd5
Basis Principles Of the American Party OF
sd 81 te9 Virginia. 1915 slts.ak Z
Determined to preserve our political institutions
In their original purity and vigor and to keepthem
unadulterated and unimpaired by foreign influence,
either civil or religious, as wen as by home faction
and home demagoguism; and believing that an
American policy, religious, POLITICAL and CONNER
cia necessary for the attainment of these ends we
shall observe and carry out in practice the follow
ing principles: o
i. That the suffrages OF the American people
for political offices, should not be given to any
other than those born on our coil and reared and
matured under the influence Of our institutions.
q. That no foreigner ought to be allowed to ex-
ercise the elective franchise till he shall have re-
sided within the United States a sufficient length
Of time to enable him 10 become acquainted with
the principles and imbued with the spirit Of our
institutions, and until he shah have become tho
roughly identified with the great interests Of our
country. r.f- .-+e4 - .....s ~ -s-
q. That whilst no obstacle should be interposed
10 the immigration Of all foreigners Of honest and
ties enjoyed by any natiye-bom citizens Of our
country should be extended to all such immigrants,
xcept that Of participating in any of our political
administrations !; yet all legal means should be
adopted to obstruct and prevent the immigration
OF the vicious and worthless, the criminal and
pauper. nes 81 ~ rsals,E gi-sr3t 81 fsee
4. That the Areriea,, doctrine Of religious toll
Grafton and entire absence Of all prescription for
opinions sake, should be cherished as one Of the
=. - e
and that any sect or party which believes and main
tsins that any foreign power religious pslitical,
has the right TO control the conscience or direct
the conduct OF afrceman, occupies position which
Is totally at war with the principles OF freedom OF
opinion, and which Is mischevous In IT'S tendency,
and which principle II carried into practice, would
prove wholly destructive Of onr religious and civil
liberty. . t'...... s
s, That the Bible In the hands Of every free cit
izsn Ia the only permanent basis Of all true liberty
and genuine equality. ,sg.fa, y ~, n. ~,
g. That tho intelligence Of the people is neces-
sary 10 the right use and the continuance Of our
liberties, civil and religious; hence the propiety
and Importance Of the promotion and fostering oi
an means Of moral and intellectual culture by some
adequate and permanent provision for general ed,
" That the doctrine Of avsilsbllity, now 90 prev.
alent and controlling, In the nomination of candi-
dates for Office In total disregard to all principles
Of right, of truth and Of Justice, is essentially
wrong, and should be by all good men condemned
8. That, as general rule, the same restrictions
should be prescribed 10 the exercise Of the power
Of removal from Office, as made necessary to be
observed In the power Of appointment theretoi
and that executive influence and patronage should
be scfupulously conferred and jealously guarded
o. That the sovereignty Of the States should be
.fxfu al
" delegated 10 the federal government, and which
may not be necessary and proper to carry out the
powers 10 delegated and that this principle should
be observed md held sacred IN all organizations Of
the American party. tel atit oei las
10. That al scctsrisn interrneddling with politics
or political institutions, coming from whatever
source II may, should be promptly resisted by all
rpch means a. seem 10 be necessary and proper for
this end. HfsY f'eetH dea5N a.fios Ist.aaa4af
III. That whilst the perpetuity Of the present
form of the federal government OF the United
States is actually necessary for tho proper develop
ment Of all the resources ofths country, yet the
principle ofnon-intervensien, Of both on the part Of
the federal government and Of the several States
Of the Union, In the municipal affairs Of each other,
"a essential 10 peace and prosperity of our country,
and TO the ve-being and permanence Of our insti-
tutions, and st the same time the only reliable
bond Of brotherhood and union u" BOZ
IL. Ihe reo rcpnpncnntsm and hce1ltous lndul-
gence n the enjoyment Of civif privileges, are AZ
much 10 be festcd and deprecated by An friends
70 weIlregulsted government and true liberty, ~
any Of the forms Of monarchy and despetism.
is. That the true Interests and welfare OF this
country, the honor Of this nation, the individual
and private rights ofih citizens, conspire to de.
mspd that all other questions arising from party
organizations, or from any other source, should be
held subordipate 70 and in practice made TO yield
TO the great principles herein promulgated.
ANDREW e. KENNEDY, Of Jefferson,
GEORGE D. GRAY, OF Oulpeper
JOSIAH DABBS, Of Halifax.