American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-10-27
The American Platform.

4
]. The acknowledgement of that Almigh.
! ~ Being, who rules over the Universe, who
! preSides 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 of an Independent nation, has dis.
| tinguished us by some token of Presidential
agency. .......
ii. 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 for the purer days Of our nation
al existence; Of venera,ion for the heroism
that precipitated our Revolution, and of EN-
ulaiIon for the virtue, wisdom and patriot
! ism that framed our Constitution and first
successfully applied It's provisions.
| Ill. The maintenance of the Union OF
these United States as the paramount poiiti-
cal good; or TO use the language OF Washmg-
din, "the primary object Of patriotic desne."
| And hence: ..
ls,. Opposition to all attempts to weaken
or subvert it. ...
End. Uncompromising an,agonism to ev-
cry principle OF policy tina, endangers it.
Sd. The advocacy Of an equitable adjust.
ment of all political differences which threa-
| 'oho NO VI PV'"'y'
4lh. The suppression Of all tendencies TO
itopolical 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. 81.
5lh The full recognition of the rights Of
the several States, as expressed and reserved
in the Constitution, and>a careful avoidance,
| k,, ha a nGu oil i,tta
ence with the rights by Legislative or ex-
! eCuiive action.
| ". Obedience to the Constitution Of
! these United States, as the supreme law of
| the land, Sacredl, obligatory upon all its
parts and members; and stead!as, resistance
! 10 the spirit of Innovation upon It's principles
| however specinus the prcteXls. Avowmg
that in all doubtful or disputed points il may
! only be- legally aSIerIa!ned and eXpnunded
10y the judicial power OF the United States
And as a coroIlary to the above:-- ..
| A habit Of reveren,ioI obedience 10 the
laws, whether National, State, or Munici.
| pal, until they are either repealed OF derlar.
ed unconstitutional by the proper authority
2. a tender and sacred regard Tor those
acts of craftsmanship, which are to be con-
tradistlngushed from acts or ordinary legis.
! idliOl', Nv TIE ldCl III tiltlT DtlnS VI TIE ld-
| lure OF compacts aud agreements: and So to
| BIZ considered fixed and settled national
policy.
V. a radical revision and modification OF
| the laws regulating immigration, and the
settlement OF immigrants. Offering tn The
honest mmiorant, VINO iromslove OF Liberty
| or hatred "t oppression. seeks an asy lum III
| the United Slales, a friendly reception and
| ll,r ar
;he transmission to our shores, OF ieIons and
| panperS.
! Vl.-The essential modification of the Ma
turall2atIon Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures OF the res.
| pcctive States, of all the State laws allowing
| foreigners no: naturalIHcd 10 vote.
The repeal. without retroactive operation
OF all acts OF Congress making grants OF land
10 unnaluraiZed foreigners, and allowing
them 10 vote in the Territories.
! NlI.-HosiiIity TO the corrupt means by
| which the leaders of party have hitherto
forced upon us our rulers and political creed.
lmpIacabIe enmity against the present
| demoTalIZiug sy stem OF rewards for pOlil-
| cal subSeTvIency, aud of puuishmsuts for 20
Litical Independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after Office
which characlerizes the aye.
| These on the one hand On the other
Imitation of the practice of purer days of
| the Republic; aAd admira, on of the maxim
that "oilcc should seek the man, and not
| man the office" and Of the rule that, the
| just mode OF aSceriaInng fitness for office,
| is the capahllny, the tathiulneSS. and the
| honesty OF the incumbent or candidate
| VIII. .-ResIslauCe to the aggressive policy
and corruptlng tendencies Of the Roman Ca :
| ihOllc Church IN our country by the advance
| ment 10 all political statIons-executvc,
| Legislative, judicial aud diplOmalic-of those
only who do not hold civil alegianCe iii d.
recliy or indirectly, to any foreign power
| whether civil or ecclesiastical and who are
Americans by birth educalior and draining:
thus fulfilling the maxim "AMERICANs 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
OF the rght OF every man to the iuii, unre-
strained and peaceful enjoyment Of his own
religious opinions and worship, and iralous
resistance OF all attempts, by any sect. de
nomination or church, to obtain the ascen
dcncy 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, potentates or eCcIesias.
nc.
IX.-The reformation Of the character Of
our National Legislature, by eIevating to
that digmileJ and responsible position
mon OF higher qualifications purer morals
and more unsrtish patriotism.
! X.-The restriction Of executive patron.
...ll.