Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-02

The Convention of the AMERICAN PARTY
OF VIRGINIA, which met at Winchester, on
Tuesdey, the 18th of MarcA, appointed the under
signed committee, to make publication, over their
names, of the following:
Basis Principles Of the American Party Of
.4t1 Virginia. fsm.u
Determined to preserve our political institutions
in their original purity and vgor, and to keep them
unadulterated and unimpared by foreign influence,
either civil religious, as well as by home faction
and home demagoguism; and believing that an
American policy, religious, political, and CONNER
cia necessary for the attainment of these ends, we
shall observe and carry out in practice, the follow
ing principles:
for political Offices, should not be given TO any
other than those born our soil, and reared and
matured under the influence Of our institutions.
g. That no foreigner ought to be allowed to ex-
ercise the elective franchise, till he shall have
sided within the United States a sufficient length
of time TO enable him to become acquainted with
the principles and imbucd with the spirit Of our
Institutions, and until he shall have become tho
roughly identified with the great interests of our
country.
g. That whilst no obstacle should be interposed
IN tie immigration OF all Foreigners Of honest and
industrious habits, and all privileges and immuni-
ties enjoyed by any native bonn citizens of our
country should be extended TO all such immigrants,
xcept that Of participating in any Of our political
administrations; yet all legal means should be
adopted TO obstruct aud prevent the immigration
of the vicious and worthless, the criminal and
pauper
4 That the Arneriedn doctrine Of religious toll
,~sfion. and entire absence Of all prescription for
opinioa,s sake. should be cherished as one Of the
verv fnndam entail principles OF our civil freedom,
md that anv acct or party which believes and main
tains that any foreign power, religious or pstca,
has the right to control the conscience or direct
the conduct OF freeman, occupies position which
a totally at war with the principles OF freedom OF
oninions and which Il mischieyous In ts tendency,
ard which principle, II carried into practice, would
prove wholly destructive Of our religious and civil
liberty.
S. That the Bible In the hands Of every free cit
izen IL the only permanent basis Of all true liberty
and genuine equality.
a. That the intelligence Of the people Ia neces-
ssry 20 the right use and the continuance Of our
liberties, civil and religious; hence the proprety
and importance Of the promotion and fostering oil
an means OF moral and intellectual culture by some
adequate and permanent provision for general ed
ncation
\. That the doctrine Of availability, now no prev
sleut and controlling in the nomination Of candi-
dates for Office In total disregard 10 all principles
Of risht Of truth, and Of justice, Is essentially
wrong, and should be by all good mon condemned.
8. That, as general rule, the same restrictions
should be prescribed TO the exercise Of the power
of removal from Office, as are made necessary 20 be
observed in the power OF appointment thereto
and that executive influence and patronage should
be scrupulousy conferred and jealousy guarded.
o. That the sovereignty Of the States should be
supreme in the exercise Of all powers not express
Iy delegated 10 the federal government and which
may not be necessary and proper TO carry out the
powers 30 delegated and that this principle should
be observed and held sacred In all organizations Of
the American party.
10. That All sectarian intermeddng with politics
or political institutions, coming from whatever
aource Il may, should be promptly resisted by all
snch means as seem to bO necessary and proper for
this end.
IL. That whilst the perpetuity Of the present
forup of the federal government Of the United
States Il actually necessary for the proper develop
ment Of all tho resources this country, yet the
principle Of fnonintervention, both on the part OF
the federal government and Of tbs several States
OF the Union in the municipal affairs Of each other,
u essential 10 peace and prosperity Of our country,
and TO the weI-being and permanence OF our insti'
tutions and at the same time the only reliable
bond Of brotherhood and union.
IL The red repnblcansm and centious indul-
genoe In the enjoyment Of civil privileges, are ss
much 10 be feared and deprecated by all friends
70 Weh-feRumteu government hnu True HDeFLg, "
any Of the forms of monarchy and despotsm
Is. That the true Interests and welfare Of this
country, the honor Of this nation, the individual
and private rights ofits citizens conspre to de.
mand that all other questions arising from party
organizations, or from any other sonrce should bs
held subordinate 20 and IN practice made 10 yield
20 the great principles herein promulgated
ANDREW r. KENNEDY, Of jefferson,
GEORGE ID. GRAY, OF Culpeper,
JOSIAH DABBS, Of Halifax.