Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-13


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
basis Principles of the American Party of
Virginia. I.
Determined to preserve our political institutions
in their original purity and vigor, and to keepthem
unadulterated aud unimpaired by foreign influence,
either civil or religious, as well 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; g0
/. That the sufrages OF the American people
for political Offices, should not be given to any
other than those born on our soil, 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 sufficient length
of time to enable him TO become acquainted with
the principles and imbued with the spirit Of our
institutions, and until he shall have become tho
roughly Identified with the great interests of our
country. Il -ist.tse ses -es ts N HEF
8. That whilst no obstacle should be interposed
70 the immigration Of all foreigners Of honest and
industrious habits, and all privileges and immuni-
ties enjoyed by any nativeboIn citizens Of our
country should be extended TO all such immigrants,
kept that Of participating in any Of political
administrations yet all legal means should be
adopted to obstruct and prevent the immigration
Of the vicious and worthless, the criminal and
pauper e
4. That the american doctrine Of religious tol-
Grafton and entire absence of all prescription for
opinions sake, should be cherished as one of the
very fundamental principles Of our civil freedom,
and that any sect or party which believes and main
tains that any foreign power, religious pslitica
has the right 20 control the conscience or direct
the conduct of freeman, occupies position which
Is totally at war with the principles of freedom OF
opinion, and which Is mischievous in its tendency,
ard which principle, IL carried into practice, would
prove wholly destructive Of our religious and civil
liberty.
s. That the Bible In the hands Of every free cit
lien is the only permanent basis Of all true liberty
and genuine equality.
8. That the intelligence Of the people is neces-
sary to the right use and the continuance Of our
liberties, civil and religious; hence the propnety
and Importance of the promotion and fostering OF
all means Of moral and intellectual culture by some
adequate and permanent provision for general ed
ucation. -sfr.es. ..t.. EV##E
Z. That the doctrine Of availability, now 30 prev.
alent and controlling in the nomination OF candi-
of right, Of truth, and OF justice, Is essentially
wrong, and should be by all good men condemned
g. That, as a general rule, the same restrictions
should be prescribed to the exercise Of the power
of removal from Office as are made necessary 10 be
observed in the power Of appointment thereto
and that executive influence and patronage should
be scrupulously conferred and jealously guarded.
Q. That the sovereignty Of the States should be
supreme in tho exercise Of all powers not express
" delegated to the federal government, and which
may not be necessary and proper 70 carry out the
powers 80 delegated, and that this principle should
be observed and held sacred in all organizations Of
the American party.
To- That all sectarian intermeddling with politics
or political institutions, coming from whatever
source il may, should be promptly resisted by All
such means as seem TO be necessary and proper for
this end.
IL That whilst the pcrpetuity Of the present
form of the federal government Of the United
States is actually necessary for the proper develop
ment Of all the resources ofthis country, yet the
principle Of nonintervention, both on the part Of
the federal government and Of the several States
of the Union, In the municipal affairs of each other,
is essential to peace and prosperity Of our country,
and to the wclLbeing and permanence of our insti-
tutions, and ut the same time the only reliable
bond Of brotherhood and union.
II. The red repnblicanism and licentious indul-
gence in the enjoyment Of civil privileges are as
much to be feared and deprecated by all friends
70 well-reguated government and true liberty, AZ
any Of the forms Of monarchy and despotism.
1S. That the true interests and welfare Of this
country, the honor of this nation, the individual
and private rights ofits citizens, conspire to do.
mand that all other questions arising from party
organizations or from any other sonrce, should be
held subordinate TO and in practice made TO yield
10 the great principles herein promulgated.
ANDREW X, KENNEDY, Of Jefferson,
GEORGE D. GRAY, Of Culpeper,
JOSIAH DABBS Of Halifax.