The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-02
KNOW NoTHINGs OF ILLINOIS AND THEIR
PLATFORM

bred present an animated and novel spectacle.
KNOW NoTHINGs OF ILLINOIS AND THEIR
PLATFORM.
The second annual session of the Know
Nothing State Council of Illinois was held at
Springfield last week. Mr.. w. W. Danenhower,
ofCbicago, presided. Three hundred and eighty
five Councils were called, and sixty-6ve respond
ed by delegates. On the first day, the 9Th,
much excitement existed among the delegates
from the North and South, relative to hearing
the report of the Philadelphia National Coun-
Gil. 1t was decided, however, that the delegates
to that Convention should be heard, and they
made their report.
The following string of good and indif-
ferent propositions were adopted - the Anti
Slavery sections received majority Of about
fifteen votes:
ILLINOIS AMERICAN PLATFORM.
1. We believe in the existence of an Almighty
Being, who rules the Universe and governs ma
tons, and to whose allwise and paternal care
we are indebted for our unparalleled advance
ment in national and individual prosperity.
2 We admit the privilege, and will defend
the right of all persons, of whatever religious
sect or denomination, to exercise perfect free
dom in religious opinions, and to worship God
according to the dictates of their own con-
Sciences" SO long as they shall not, as sect
or church, seek to exercise any temporal pow
err; hereby denying all wish or purpose to in
terfere with the religious opinions of any one.
3. We are opposed to all political associa
tons of men composed exclusively OF persons
of foreign birth, and to the formation of foreign
military companies in our country.
4. The cultivation and development Of pure
ly American sentiment and feeling-a passion
ate attachment to our country and its Govern
ment-of admiration of the purer days of our
national existence-of veneration of our nation
al fathers-and of emulation of the virtue, wis
dom, and patriotism, that framed our Constitu-
ton.
5. That the time has arrived when the Amer
lean party of the United States are called upon
to take open, fearless, and unreserved, ground
upon the great question of Slavery, that is now
agitating the people of every section of this
Union; and that the intense excitement and
agitation which at the present time are distract
ing our country upon the subject of Slavery,
have been caused by the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise; and that that repeal was uncall-
ed for, a gross violation and disregard of a sa-
cred compact entered into between the two
great sections of this Confederacy, and in the
highest degree destructive to the peace and
welfare of this Union. That restoration of
the Missouri Compromise, as it will restore the
territory for which it was originally made to
the same situation jim which it was before that
line was unnecessarily destroyed, so it will re-
store peace and harmony to the country with
out injury or injustice to any portion of the
Union; that while it will only give to Freedom
that which with due solemnity and good faith
was long since conveyed to her under the con-
tract, it will equally preserve the full and I'M
disputed rights acquired under it by the South
and that therefore the Missouri Compromise
should be restored and that in all political ma
tional contests, the American party in the State
of Illinois will demand Of its candidates for Of
fee, among other qualifications, their open and
undisguised opinions upon this question.
6. The essential modification of the natural
ization laws, by extending the time of residence
required of those of foreign birth to entitle them
to citizenship. A total repeal of all State laws
allowing any but citizens of the United States
the right of suffrage. But careful avoidance
of all interference with rights of citizenship al
ready acquired under existing laws.
Z. Resistance to the corrupting influences
and aggressive policy of the Romish Church,
Ccs
or interference of foreign emissaries, whether
civil or ecclesiastical.
s. A radical improvement in the present sys-
tenn of Executive patronage, which unsparing-
ly confers rewards for political subserviency,
and Furnishes for manly independence in politi-
cal opinion and fearless exercise of political
rights.
9. The education of the youth Of our land in
the schools of our country, which should be
open to ALL without regard to condition or creed,
and which shall be free from all influences of a
UNCONVENTIONAL or partisan character-but in
which the Holy Bible shall ever be freely in
troduced and read, as the book which contains
the best system of morals, and the only system
of pure religion, and from which every true
Christian must derive the rule of his faith and
practice.
10. The just and proper protection to Amer
lean labor and American enterprise and genius,
against the adverse policy of foreign nations
asserting, also, that it is both within the power
and duty of the General Government to aid and
facilitate internal commerce by an improvement
of our rivers and the harbors upon our lakes
ii. We declare our attachment to the Union
of these States and while we do not partake of
the fears so often entertained of its dissolution,
we will endeavor to promote its perpetuity by a
firm adherence to all the principles, as we'll of
the Constitution as the Declaration of Ameri-
can Independence.
II. We disclaim all right of the General Gov.
eminent to interfere with the institution of Sla-
very as it exists in any of the States of this
Union; but we distinctly assert that Congress
has full power, under the Constitution to legis-
late upon the subject in the Territories of the
United States.
13. Such radical modification of the laws
in reference to emigration as will effectually
prevent the sending to our shores the paupers
and felons of other nations.
Ia. We condemn, in the most positive man.
ner, the assaults upon the elective franchise in
Kansas, and the efforts to control the free ex-
ercse of the right of suffrage, to which every
American citizen is entitled.
Resolred, That the principles and objects of
the American party shall hereafter be every
where distinctly and openly avowed and pub
lished; and we invite all persons, who believe
in true American principles, to aid us in carry
ing out our principles, as herein set forth-and
we will cheerfully cooperate with any party, as
national party, whose object it will be to car
ry into effect the above sentiments.
Done in Council at Springfield, on this 18th
day of July, A. ID. 1856.
w. w. DANENHowER,
President of State Council.
HENRY S. JENNINGS, Secretary.