American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-10-20
The American Platform.
The following are the platform and prin.
ciples OF the American Organization, adopted
by The National Council at philadelphia.

|
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.
!. The acknowledgment of that Almgh-
ty Being, who rules over the Universe, who
preSldes over the Councils Of Nations--who
conducts tho affairs OF men, and who, in e.
| very step by which we have advanced to the
| character OF an Independent nation, has dis.
| unSulShed US by some token Of Providential
agency.
III. The cultivation and development Of a
sentiment of profoundly iutcnse American
| feeling; OF passionate attachment to our
| country, its history and its institutions; of
0dmiratou for the purer days of our nation
al existence; of venera,ion for the heroism
that precipituted our Revolution. and of en-
ulauon for the virtue, wisdom and patriot
ism that framed our Constitution aud frs,
successfully applied lis provisions.
Ill. The maintenance of the Union Of
these United States as the paramount polit-
cal good; or 10 use the language of Washing
dtn, "thc primary object of patriotic desile.
And hence:
lst. Opposition to all attempts to weaken
| or subvcrt it,
2nd. Uucompromising an,agonism 10 ev-
cry principle OF policy tina, eudangers it,
81. The advocacy of an equitable adjust.
ment of all political differences which threa-
tens It's integrity or pcrpetuity.
4th. The suppression Of all tendencies to
| ltopollcat visions, founded on topographic
cal determinations, or on the belief that
there is real difference Of interests and
views' between the various sections Of the
Union.
9th The full recognition of the rights of
| the several States, as expressed and reserved
! IN the Constitution, and a careful avoidance,
| hy the General Government, of all iutcrler-
ence with the rights by legislative or en-
| ecutve action.
". Obedience to the Constitution Of
these United States as the supreme law of
the land, saCredIy obligatory upon all its
parts and members; and seadtast resistance
TO the spirit q! innovation upon its principles;
however specious The preteXts. AvOwing
that in all doubtful or disputed points ii may
only be legally asreruiucd and eXpnunded
by the judicial power OF the United States.
And as corolIary TO the above:-
y habit of rcvereniial obedience to the
laws, whether National, State, or Munich
pal, until they are either repealed or decIar-
ed unconstitutional by the proper authority.
=. tender and sacred regard for those
acts OF craftsmanship, which are to be con.
tradlStmguIShed from acts or ordinary legis.
| Iatou. by the fact of their being of the ma
iure OF compacts and agreements: and So to
be considered fixed and settled national
policy.
v radical revision and modification OF
the laws regulating immigration, and the
settlement OF immigrants. Offering to the
honest immigrant, who from love Of libc,ly
or hatred ol oppression, seeks an asylum IN
the UnItcd States, a friendly reception and
protection. But unQualilirdly condcmuiug
ihc transmission TO our shores, OF lcIonS and
punpeTs.
N.-Fhe essential modification Of the Ma
turalNaiiOn Laws.
The repeal by the LEGISLATURES OF the res
pecttve States, OF all the State laws allowing
foreigners no: maturazrd to vote.
The Ccpeal, without retroactive operation
OF all acts OF Congress making grants Of land
to uuna,nralizcd foreigners, and ALLOWING
them TO vote in the Territories.
Nll.- Hostility to the corrupt means by
wh,ch the leaders Of party have hitherto
forced upon rs our rulers and political creed.
impiacable cnmjty against the present
dcmoIa!tziug ystem OF rewards for poli,i-
cal snbScTvIcnry, and OF punshmcnts for pO-
Ihicai Independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office
which charac;cTiZrS the age.
These on the one hard On the other
Imitation of the practice of purer days Of
the Rcpmbllc aad admiru, on of the maxim
that "U!hco should seek the man. and 40,
man the office" and Of the rule that. the
Just mode OF asrerlainng fitness for Office.
Is the caPahlily, the iathiuurss. AMI the
honesty OF The incumbent or candidate.