Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-01-03
Hasis Principles Of the American
Party of Yirginfa.


situiions IN their original purity and vigtf,
and TO keep them unadulleraied and unim-
paired by foreign influence, either civil or
religious as well as by home faction and
demagogueisn and believing that an A.
merican policy. religious, political and com.
merciaI is necessary for The attainment #
these ends, we shall observe and carry out
in practice, the following principles -
|. That the su(raees of The American
people for political Offices should net 9
given to any others than those born on our
soil. and reared and matued under The in
Aurnce Of our institutions.
2. That no foreigner ought 10 be allowed
10 exercise the elective franchise, till he
shall have resided within the United Slater
a sufficient length of time TO enable him TO
become acquainted with the principles and
imbued with The spirit Of our institutions,
and until he shall have become thoroughly
identified with the great interests OF our
country.
3. That whilst no obstacle should be in-
terposed to the immigration of all foreign
ers of honest and industrious habits. and all
privileges and lmmunities enjoyed by any
native born citizen OF our country should DO
extended to all such immigrants, except
that of participating in any Of our political
administrations Jet all legal means should
be adopted to obstrr It and prevent the i'm
migration Of the vic .ous and worthless the
criminal and pauper.
4. That The American doctrine of relig-
ious federation, and entire absence Of all
prescription for opinions sake, should bs
chers he'd as ore Of tie very fundamental
principles Of our civil freedom, and that
any sect or party which believes and main
tains that any foreign power, religious or
political, has the right to control the con-
science OF direct the conduct OF freeman,
occupies position which is totally at war
with the principle Of freedom of opinion,
and which is mischI%yous in its tendency,
and which principle il carried into practice
would prove wholly destructive of our re-
ligious and civil liberty.
5. That the Bible in the hands of every
free citizen, is the only permanent basis OF
all true liberty and genuine equality.
6. That The intelligence of the people is
necessary to the right use and the continu-
ance OF our liberties, civil and religious,
hence the propriety and importance of the
promotion and fostering Of al means of
moral and intellectual culture. by some ade-
qrate and permanent provisions for gener.
al education.
7. That the doctrine Of availability, now
80 prevalent and controlling, in the nomi-
nation Of candidates for offce in total dis
regard of all principles Of right, of truth.
and of justice, is essentially wrong, and
should be by all good men condemned.
s. That as a general rule, the same re-
strictions should be prescribed 10 the exer-
else of the power OF removal from office, as
are made necessary to be observed in the
power of appointment thereto and that ex-
ecutive influence and patronage, should 5s
scrupously conferred and jealousy guar
ded.
8. That the sovereignty of the States
should be supreme in the exercise of all
powers not expressly delegated 10 the Fed
ersl Government, and which may not be
necessary and proper to carry out the pow
ers so delegated, and that this principle
should be observed and held sacred in all
organizations of the American party.
10. That all sectarian intermeddling with
politics or political institutions, coming
from whatever source il nay, should be
promptly resisted by all such means as seem
to be necessary and proper for this end.
II. That whilst the pefpetuity of the
present form of the Federal Government of
the United States, is actually necessary for
the proper development OF all the resour-
ces Of this country, yet the principle of
noniatervention, both on the part of the
Federal Government and of the several
States Of the Union, in the municipal af-
fairs of each other, is essential to the peace
and prosperity Of our country, and to the
well being and permanence of our institu-
tons. and at the same time, the only relIa.
Bile bond Of brotherhood and union.
IL. That Red Republicanism and licen-
tious indulgence in The enjoyment of civil
privileges, are as much to be feared aud
deprecated, by all friends to well regulated
government and true liberty, as any of the
forms of monarchy and despotism.
13. That the true interests and welfare
cf this country, the honor of this nation,
the individual and private rights of its citi.
zens, conspire to demand that all other
questions arising from party organizations.
OF from any other source, should be held
subordinate to and in practice made to
yield to the great principles herein promul-
gated.
ARTIFICIAL FIyINc rti6ci,1 Av;ne