The Georgetown news., 1855-07-26
rhe PLATFORM of the American Party.

The FIatIOrm OF the American Party.
The following is the Platform adopted by
the Grand National Council of the Ameri-
can party at its late session in Philadelphia.
THE PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES OF THE Or
GANIzATIoN.
1.-The acknowledgement of the AL
mighty Being who rules over the universe
who presides over the councils of nations
who conducts the affairs of men, and who
in every step by which we have advanced
to the character of an independent nation
has distinguished US by some token Of Prov
idential agency.
I.-The cultivation and development OF
a sentiment of profoundly intense American
feeling; of passionate attachment to our
country, its history and its institutions OF
admiration ior the purer days of our nation
al existence; of veneration for the heroiSm
that precipitated our revolution; and of en-
ulation of the virtue, wisdom and patriot
ism that framed our constitution, and first
successfully applied its provisions.
1II.-The maintenance of the union of
these United States as the paramount po-
litical good; or, to use the language OF
Washington, "the primary object of patriot
ic desire" And hence
l. Opposition to all attempts to weaken
or subvert it.
2. Uncompromising antagonism to every
principle of policy that endangers it.
3. The advocacy of an equitable adjust
ment of all political differences which threat
en- its integrity or perpetuity.
4. The suppression of all tendencies to
political division, founded on geographical
discrimination, or on the belief that there is
a real difference of interests and views" be-
tween the various sections of the Union.
5. The full recognition of the rights of
the several States, as expressed and reserved
in the constitution; and a careful avoidance.
by the general government, of all interfer-
enee with their rights by legislative or ex-
ecutive action.
IV.-Obedienee to the constitution OF
these United States, as the supreme law of
the land sacredly obligatory upon all its
parts and members; and steadfast resistance
to the spirit of innovation upon its princi-
pies, however specious the pretext. Avow-
ing that in all doubtful and disputed points
it may only be legally ascer.ained and ex-
pounded by the judicial power of the United
| States.
And as corollary to the above:-
| l. A habit of reverential obedience to
the laws, whether National, State or Mu-
nicipal until they are either repealed or de-
clared unconstitutional by the proper au-
| thority.
2. A tender and sacred regard for those
acts of Craftsmanship which are to be con-
4ro1 = ohoH otc of
islation, by the fact of their being of the ma
ture of compacts and agreements; and SO to
| be considered g fixed and settled national
policy.
VA radical revision and modification
of the laws regulating immigration, and the
settlement of immigrants. Offering to The
honest immigrant, who, from love of liberty
or hatred of oppression, seeks an asylum in
the United States, friendly reception and
protection; but unqualifedly condemning
| the transmission to our shores of felons and
paupers.
VI.-The essential modification of the
naturalization laws.
The repeal by the legislatures of the re-
spective States of all State laws allowing
| foreigners not naturalized to vote.
| The repeal, without retroactive opera
ton, of all acts of Congress making grants
of land to unnaturalized foreigners, and al
lowing them to vote in the territories.
VIL-Hostihty to the corrupt means by
which the leaders of party have hitherto
forced upon us our rulers and our political
creeds.
Implacahle enmity against the prevalent
demoralizing system of rewards for polite
al Subseryiency, aud of punishment for pOlit-
icaI independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after Office
which characterizes the age.
These on the one hand. On the other
Imitation of the practice of the purer
days of the Republic, and admiration of the
maxim that coffee should seek the man, and
not man the oflice;" and of the rule, that the
just mode of ascertaining fitness for office is
the capability, the faithfulness, and the hon
esty of the incumbent or candidate. (
| IL<VIII.-ResiStance to the aggressive pol
icy and corrupt tendencies of the Roman
Catholic Church in our country by the ad-
vancement to all political stations-execu-
tive, legislative, judicial or diplomatic
those only who do not hold civil allegiance,
directly or indirectly, to any foreign power
whether civil or ecclesiastical, and who are
Americans by birth, education and training
thus fulfilling the maxim, Americans
only shall govern America" -
The protection of all citizens in the legal
and proper exercise of the civil and relig-
ious rights and privileges; the maintenance
of the right of every man to the full, unre-
strained and peaceful enjoyment of his own
religious opinions and worship; and jealous
resistance of all attempt by any sect, de-
nomination or church to obtain an ascend
ancy over any other in the State, by means
of any special privileges or exemption, by
any political combination of it's members, or
by division of their civil allegiance with
anV FOREIGN nnunr nntpntatn or eccleSlaStIC.