American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-12-22
The AmeriicansPlatform..

BY The National Council at PHILADELPHIA.
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.
!. The acknowledgement of that Amigh.
~ Being, who rules over the Universe, who
presdes over the Councils Of Na,ions--who
conducts the affairs Of men, and who, in e.
very step'by which we have advanced to the
character or an independent nation, has dis.
,inguished us by some token of Proyiden,iai
agency. - . ... ~.
II. The cultivation and development of
sentiment Of profoundly intense American
feeling; Of passionate attachment to our
county, its history and its institutions; Of
admiration for the purer days OF our nation
al exislence; Of veneraton for the heroism
that precipitated our Revolution, and of en-
ulaton for the virtue, wisdom and patriot
ism that framed our Constitution and first
successfully applied its provisions.
III. The maintenance Of the Union Of
these United States as the paramount politi-
cal good; or to use The language OF Washing
din, "the primary object of patriotic desire"
And hence;
LIST, Opposition to all attempts TO weaken
or subvert it.
End. UncompromisinS antagonisn to ev-
cry principle of policy that endangers it.
Sd. The advocacy Of an equi table adjust
ment Of all political differences which threa-
tens lts'in,egrity or perpetul'y.
Ath. The suppression Of all tendencies to
itopoicai visions, founded on geographic
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 careful avoidance,
by the General Government Of all iuterier-
ence with the rights by Legislative or en-
ecutive action.
". Obedience to the Constitution Of
these United States, as the supreme law OF
the land, sacredy obligatory upon all its
parts and members; and steadlast resistance
10 the spirit of innovation upon lis principles;
however speciouS the pretexls. Avowing
that in al! doubtful or disputed points il may
only be legally ascerlained and cXpounded
by the judicial power Of the United States.
And as a corollary to the above:-
a habit OF reveren,iol obedience to the
laws, whether National, State or Munici-
pal, until they are either repealed or declar-
ed unconstitutional by the proper authority
2. a tender and sacred regard for those
acts of craftsmanship, which are to be con
tradistingushed from acts or ordinary legis.
lation, by the fact Of their being OF the ma
ture of cCmpacts aud agreements; and so, to
be considered a fixed and settled national
policy. =
V. A radical revision and modification Of
the laws regulating immigration, and the
settlement OF immigrants. Offering to the
honest INNING rant, who from love OF Liberty
or hatred OF oppression, seeks an asylum III
the United States, n friendly reception and
protectlon. But unqualiiiedly condemning
he transmission 20 our shores, OF lelons and
paupers.
V!.--The essential notification Of The Ma
euraiZdtiCn Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures Of the res
pecIve States, OF all the State laws allowing
foreigners not naturaliZrd 10 vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation
of al! acts of Congress making grants of land
10 unnauraiized foreigners, and allowing
thcln 10 vote in the Territories.
y. Hostility to the corrupt means by
web the leaders Of party have hitherto
:orced upon us our rulers and political creed
Implacab!e cnmty against the present
demo raiZing system OF rewards for polill
cal subscrvIency, aud Of punishments for po-
jicai Independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office
which ChaTacterizes the age.
These on the one hand. On the other
Imitation Of the practice Of purer days Of
fhc Republic; and admirar on of the maxim
that "oiliCe should seek the man, and not
man the Officer and Of the rule that, the
Just mode Of ascertainlng fitness for Office
Is the capabilty, the falhfuincss and the
honesty OF the incumbent or candidate.
Vlll.-Resisiance to'the aggressive policy
md corrup,ing tendencies of the Roman Ca
tholic Church in our country by the advance
ment TO all political stations-executive,
Legislative, judicial aud diplomalic--of those
only who do not hold civil allegiance, di.
rectly or indirectly, to any foreign power,
whether civil or ecclesiastical, aud who are
Americans By birth, education and training;
thus fulfilling the maxim "AMERlcANs ONLY
SHALL GOVERN AMERICA"
The protection Of all citizens in the legal
and proper exercise Of their civil and reli.
gious rights and privileges; the maintenance
oil the right Of every man to the full, unro-
strained aud peaceful enjoyment Of his own
religious opinions and worship, and Jealous
resistance OF all attempts, by any sect, de
nomination or church, to obtain the asCen-
dency over any other in the State, by means
OF any special privileges, or exemption by
any practical combination Of its members, or
by division Of their civil allegiance with
any foreign power, rotento,es or eccleSias.
tic.
iX.---The reformation OF the character Of
our Material Legislature, BY cevalina to
that djgnifed and responsible position
men Of higher qualifications, pUrer morals,
and more unSelish patriotism
X.-The restriction Of executive patron.
age especially in the matter of appoint.
ments 10 oflice-so far as it may be permit
ted by the Constitution, and consistent with
tie public good.
N.-The education Of the youth Of orr
country in schools provided by the State;
which schools shall be common 10 all. with.
out distinction Of creed or party. and free
from any influence or direction Of denOmi.
nnl iiLnr. III h.