The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-06-29
THE PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN
PARTY

at late hour last night We have obtained
il with much difficulty at the moment Of
going to press Philadelphia Bulletin of the
14h.
PLArfURM AND PRINCIPLES.
1.-The acknowledgment Of that Almigh.
ty Being, who rules over the Universe-who
presides over the Councils of Nations-who
conducts the affairs of mefi, and who, in every
step by which we have advanced to the char
acter of an independent nation; has dlstin.
guished US by some token of Proyidentia
agency.
! 1.-THE cultivation and development. of
sentiment OF profoundly intense American
feeling; of passionate attachment to our coun.
try, its history and its institutions; of admira-
ton 70. the purer days of our national exis.
tenc.; OF veneration for the heroism that
precipitated our Revolution, and of emulation
Of the virtue, wisdom and patriotism that
framed our Constitution and first successfully
applied its provisions.
llI.-The maintenance of the union of
thesr United States Ms the paramount political
good, or to use the language of Washington,
"the primary object of patriotic DESIRE" And
| hence -
LIST. Opposition to all attempts to weaken
or subvert it.
I'd. Uncompromising antagonism to every
principle of policy that endangers it.
Sd. The advocacy Of an equitable adjust
mentof all political differences which threaten
its integrity or perpetuity.
4th. The suppression of all tendencies to
political divisions founded on typographical
determinations, or on the belief that there is
real difference of interests and views" be-
tween 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,
by the General Government, of all interfer.
ence with their rights by legislative or Axecu
tive action.
lV.-Obedience to the Constitution o.
these United States as the supreme law of the
land, sncredly obligatory upon all its parts
and members and steadfast sstance to the
spirit of innovation upon its principles, how
ever specious in pretext. Avowng that in all
doubtful or disputed points il may only be
legally ascertained and cxpounded BY the
Judicial power of the United States.
And as corolary TO the above:-
| l. A habit Of veverential obedience to the
laws whether National, State, or Municipal,
until they are either repealed or declared un-
constitutional BY the proper authority.
2. tender and sacred regard for those
acts of craftsmanship, which are to be contra
distinguished from acts Of ordinary legisla.
tion, by the fact Of their being of the nature
of compacts and agreements; and so, to lie
considered us fixed and settled national policy.
VA radical revision and modification of
the laws regulating immigration, and the set
tlement of immigrants. Offering to the honest
immigrant, who from love of liberty or hatred
of oppression, seeks an asylum in the United
States, u friendly reception and protection.-
But unqualifcdly condemnng the transmits
sion to oar shores, of felons and paupers.
Vl.-The essential modification of the Ma.
turaization Laws.
The repeal by the Legislature of the re-.
spective States, OF all State laws allowing
foreigners not naturaized to vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation,
of all acts of Congress making grants of land
to unnaturalized foreigners, and allowing
them to vote in the Territories.
Vll.-Hoslility to the corrupt means by
which the leaders ofparty have hitherto forced
upon us our rulers and our political creeds.
lmpacahle enmity ngaint the present de-
morallzing systems of rewards for political
subservency, and Of punishments for political
independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after Office which
characterize 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 "Office should seek the man, and not man
the office" and OF the rule that, the Just mode
OF ascertaining fitness for office is the capa-
biIity, The faithiulness, and the honesty of the
incumbent or candidate.
Vlll.-Resistance to the aggressive policy
and corrupting tendencies of the Roman
Catholic Church in our country by the ad-
vancement to all political stations-executve
legislative, judicial or diplOmatic-of those
only who do not hold civil allegiance, direct
ly or indirectly, to any foreign power, whether
civil or ecclesiastical, and VINO are Americans
by birth, education and training;thus fulfilling
the maxim "Americans only Shall Gorern
| America"
The protection o: all citizens in the legal
and proper exercise of their civil and religious
rights and privileges; the maintenance OF the
| right OF every man to the full, unrestrained
and peaceful enjoyment of his own religious
opinions and worship, Ind jealous resistance
OF all attempts by any sect, denomination or
church, TO obtain an ascenduncy over any
other in the State by means of any special
privileges or exemption, by any political COM
bnation OF its members, or by division of
their civil allegiance with any foreign power,
potentate or ecclesiastic.
X.--The reformation Of the character OF
our National Legislature, by elevating to that
| dgnitied and responsible position men of
higher qualifications, purer morals, and more
uiselish patriotism.
X-1'he restriction Of executive patronage
especially inthe matter Of appointments to
othce-so far as it may be permitted by the
Constitution, and consistent with the public
good.
XT.-The education of the youth Of our
country in schools provided by the State;
which schools shall be common to all, without
distinction Of creed or party, and free from
any influence or direction of UNCONVENTIONAL
or partizan character.
And, inasmuch as Christianity, by the Con-
stitutions OF nearly all the States, by the de-
cision of the most eminent judicial authorities,
and by the consent of the people Of America,
is considered an element of our political sys-
TEN, and as the Holy Bible is at once the
source OF Christianity, and the depository and
fountain of all civil and religions freedom, we
oppose every attempt to exclude II IRON the.
Schools thus established in the States.
| XII.AIhe American party having arisen
upon the ruins and in spite Of the oppositon
of the Whig and Democratic parties, cannot
| be held in nnv manner responsible for the