Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-12-19


took II in hand, when there was not only no ne
cessity for it, but when might have carried i,
as on my honor and conscience believe we could,
by from twenty TO thirty thousand votes, II other
counsels could have prevailed ! confess look
with great apprehension to another defeat on a
larger scale, unless We act with more wisdom and
discretion more moderation and forbearance.
avail myself therefore, Of this occasion TO ofter
these suggestions, (which It costs nothing to con-
sider) as being, In my judgment, the only course
left us as party for chance OF success. That
Philadelphia platform must in some manner be ig-
nored The South need not repudiate any princi-
pie set forth in IL. We may entertain our own
| convictions of what would be right but we must
not deny the same right to others. We must rub
out and begin again; and If platform binding
upon the party Is to be adopted, let II be by the
convention that is TO make a nomination, and that
will be fairly and properly organized.
Do we find Southern Democrats taxing their en-.
ergies and ingenuity to drive the Van Burens, the
Kings, the Wilmots, the Cochranes, the Fowlers,
the Wentworths, the Flaggs, and the Redfelds,
from the support of whOmsoever they may nomi-
nate Not a bit of it'll They will first secure
their votes, carry the election, and then laugh at
us for our stupidity in throwing 1t away. What
do we care for, and what influence has II upon us,
that this man, OF that shall think well III of sa-
| very We are not asking for his opinions, bis
vote is what we want; and if he will give us that,
if he will act with us, why let him think what he
peases about slavery, temperance, morality, or re-
| igion. II can do us no harm, unless they are to
be enforced and put in operation against us by
law, and, when this is attempted, II will be time
enough to resist it. But il we drive them from
us, they 60 to the other side, and what have we
gained by thatf So long as they confne them
selves to thinking and talking at home, let them
do their own thinking, and their own talking, in
| their own way. But to say we don't want their
votes, for the man we desire to elect, is idle and
absurd. Such a course Of reasoning may befi
beardless and thoughtless boys, but cannot become
grave and rejecting men, seeking to establish the
welfare OF the country, especially when that wei,
fare is to be destroyed by it. HUI
hope you will excuse me, gentlemen, for the
! length of this letter You have asked me to
advise with the members of the party, shipped in
the same craft with me, and which, when she goes
down (if 90 down it must) will carry us all down
together. Please consider this the substance in
chief of the speech ] would make if present, for
/ would not act honestly with my friends il, be-
lieving as do, were to make speech, and say
less. II
/ have the honor to be very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
| JOHN M. Bolts. .
The following is the Platform of the American
Legion above referred to ~ 5E t
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERI.
CAN LEGION.
The members Of this organization are pledged
LIST. To an unfaltering devotion to the Union OF
the United States, as paramount to every other
consideration, and Indispensable to the liberty
and happiness of all.
I'd. To an earnest fidelity to the Constitution ei
the United States, and q strict observance Of all
the GUARANTEES secured to each section of the Union
as recognised acted upon, and lived up to- for the
| first thirty years of its existence.
| Sd. To strict obedience to the laws of the Uni
ted States, and rigid enforcement of all their pro-
| visions so long as they remain upon the statute
book and, to hold and forever maintain, that no
| government can exist without strict obedience
to its own laws. That when the sanctity of the
law is destroyed, the experiment of free govern
ment viii have proved failure.
4th. To recognise the Supreme Court of the
United States as the common and only arbiter pro-
vided by the constitution for the final settlement
of all questions of constitutional difference between
the several States or sections Of the Union.
9th. To be at all times devoted to that policy
which aims TO place all of our national and political
affairs under the control Of those born upon the
soil and reared and educated under our Republi-
can institutions, and which seeks an ultimate and
prompt revision and change Of the naturalization
laws.
Published by order Of the American Legion.
L