Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-11-29


midnight las: night Below We give the
minority report.
THE MINORITY REToRT.
! Mr.. Spuoner of Ohio, submitted the follow
ing as minority report, to the American
Convention at Cincinnati:
The undersigned minority Of the commit
tee, dissenting froin some Of the propositions
reported by the majority, submits the follow
! ing as his views what is demanded by the
Order as a
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES.
! Assembled in convention as members of
the American organization, dissenting from
| the platform of principles and measures, set
forth bv the majority of the American Ma
tonal Convention, which was convened at
PHILADELPHIA on the 9th day of June, 1855;
and, considering that frank and distinct
p-omulga,ion of our own principles and mea-
sures is due alike to ourselves, to the organi-
cation we represent, ana to our tellow-citzens
at large--we therefore declare
! |. That we venerate and will forever up
! hold the American Union in its integrity.
g That we insist tina. the government OF
/
of the powers which the Constitution con-
fers. and that those powers shall be exercised
for the objects which the Constitution in
dcates, for the establishment of justice, for
the insurance of domestic tranquility, for the
common defense, for the promotion Of the
general welfare, and for the security of the
blessings of liberty.
g. That the rights of the States, the rights
persons must be maintained against all un-
constitutional aggressions, from whatever
quarter such 6ggressions may proceed.
a. That the Executive. Legislative and Ju-
dicial Departments of the Government should
be guided in their action solely by reference
TO the welfare OF the People, and should never
be permitted to exceed their Constitutional
powers.
| 5. That improvements OF Rivers and Har-
bors Of national importance, are constitution
al objects Of national legislation; and since
the revenues of the Government are collected
by duties on imports, those duties should be
levied with wise discrimination - as to pro-
mote the interests Of American Industry, and
impose the lightest possible burden upon
Labor.
9. That our foreign policy should be one OF
generous sympathy with the oppressed every
where, but especially with oppressed nations,
md all our negotiations should be conducted
in the spirit Of justice and frankncss, and
with entire publicity.
7. That in the administration OF every oe
partmen, of the Govern nment, the honor of the
American name, the security of American in
| IF hn
people, should be cardinal and paramount OBJ
jects.
3. That prescription on account of birth or
creed, is unwarrnnted by American principles.
Exiles and emigrants from other lands,
should be made welcome to the participation
and benefits of American institutions, and to
the privilege of citizenship, with such restfic-
lions as are necessary to make sure that those
who avail themselves of this liberally, un-
derstand and will defend these institutions
! against oil aggressions, whether of foreign
powers, or ecclesiastical bodies, ami to pre-
vent the department Of criminals and paupers
from other Governments to our land; to which
end the laws regulating Naturalization
and immigration, should be properly a
mended.
! o. That TO resist all attempts Of ccclesiasti.
cal power or fractions combination, whether
| native or alicn,to suhvert or impair American
Institutions, is the sacred duty alike of the
| Native and the Na,uralzed citizen, which
must always, and under all circumstances, be
faithfully performed.
10. That we reo'irm the principles declar-
cd by the unanimous vote of the Fathers OF
the Republic in the Congress of 1887, "That
Slavery, or involuntary scrvitude, is incon-
sis,ent with the fundamental principles of
civil and religious liberty" and are therefore
bound 10 insist that slavery be excluded from
National Territory, and that the just influence
Of the National Government be excrted on the
side of freedom.
II. That the General Government shoulc
granted by the Constitution, and therefore,
should carefully abstain from oil interference
with Slavery within the limits of any State
/ in which it is allowed and sanctioned.
l9. That, adhering to these principles. and
pursuing this line of policy, the American
Organ zation will hcnceforth act without
secrecy ss to its principles and objects, and
regarding the question Of Slavery extension
ns u national one, and as being at present Of
paramount Importance, will eheeriulIy and
cordially cooperate with all their fellow citi-
zens who are ready to unite with them in de-
fence of Constitutional freedom against Tn.
constitutional aggression.
10, That we advise the Order to continue
and perfect its organization, to openly pro-
mulgate and defend it's principles, keeping
in mind that human freedom is the corner
stone upon which Americon Institutions are
based-,hat this principle must become n
fixed fact by the legislation of our National
Con ,ress.
THOS SPOONER,
Minority Of Committee.
CINCINNATI Nov. -, 1855.
We gave the vote yesterday, by which the
majority rapport was adopted. The Cncinna-
Ii Commercial, in ils notice of this report Of
SpooHer, says:
This platform, il will be seen, modfes the
proscriptive features OF the Order, and takes
jus, & liberal grounds receiving cordially oil