Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-20
From tbe Baltimore American.
FTOM IHt DuIIHIUIU 4tIIENtFONIitI
The Platform of Principles Of the Ameri-
can Party.

=
can Party.
The platform Of principles adopted by the Ma
tional Convention in Philadelphia last week ID I'M
doubtedly destined TO be widely discussed and TO
exercise an influential effect upon the politics OF
the country. The party that speaks through that
document, stepping from behind the veil OF Sc
crecy that has heretofore obscured its movements
and rendered its motives debatable, plainly and
frankly declares the basis of its organization and
expounds the principles upon which It asks sup
port. Whatever may be the differences of opin-
ion existing in regard to some Of the principles
which compose the party platform, we presume
that no national man, no lover Of the Union and
advocate of its perpetuity, win withhold from the
Convention the expression Of his appreciation for
the patriotic and national stand which II has taken
upon the slavery question, and the frmness with
which it met and repealed the attempt TO make II
subservient either to the purposes OF Northern abb
olitionists or Southern secessionists. No Nation
al Convention of either party has hitherto been
subjected to 30 severe test and none, we are
sure, will hereafter be found to meet 1t with
more complete subsection of mere policy TO the
duty of an open and honest assumption OF the
responsibilities imposed upon 1t.
The resolutions adopted by the Convention upon
the subject of slavery, TO our appreciation present
feasible and fair basis for the action Of those who
are anxious TO remove that exciting question from
the prominence that has been given to 1t as sub
ject of national dispute. They declare willing
ness to stand by the laws affecting the free and
slave States as they at present exist, regarding
them MS a final and conclusive settlement of the
matter, and to deny To Congress in the future the
power to legislate upon the subject either in the
States or Territories. We see no injustice that
this agreement will impose upon either section. 1t
Is simply submission to the constitutional COM
pact that binds the States together replacement
of the slavery question with the Legislatures OF the
several States where it belongs and an elimination
of it from the schedule of national politics, into
which it should never have been introduced. What
will be the ultimate result OF the adoption OF this
position can scarcely now be foreseen, but its i'm
mediate and proximate effects will no doubt be
soon manifested One of those effects is the rails
ing of standard of nationality upon this subject,
and the forcing of other parties to frankly show
their hands either for one or the other side. The
distinct and unequivocal assertion OF the position
taken, will admit of no lodging or unmeaning
cancellations by other parties under cover OF
which power is obtained by false prctences, and
both parties alike betrayed.
It Is true, and the admission must be made with
regret that the result Of the division in the con-
vention has been to divide its members upon the
slavery question and to present, perhaps with more
dstinctness than ever before an organization which
seeks the segregation of one portion OF the States
from the others upon sectional ISSUE But the
1ault OF tnlS lies not Win Ahcy no
sumed a national ground, the only ground upon
which an organization designed for all portions of
the country could be placed, and the recusant
members in withdrawing are responsible for what
ever tendency their action may have in weakening
the integrity of the Union and in destroying the
unity Its people. They have sought to strengthen
and perpetuate the causes of difference until they
ripen into incurabe evils. We believe, however, that
they have much overestimated their power for evil,
~. hal nj drau Wil
that those who are able to discuss the one question
on which they found their organization on broader
and more liberal principles, and in more dispas-
sionate temper will have taken the decision of the
fate of the country upon themselves, and that in
perverting national politics to the accomplishment
of sectional purposes they have exposed their OBJ
jects too plainly and must meet the fate Of disap-
pointed political tricksters.
Upon the subject of naturalization the demands
of the platform are moderate. The necessity for
an essential modification of the naturalization laws,
so as to prolong the time required to attain the
rights of citizenship and the adoption of additional
guards against the rank frauds perpetrated in the
admission of alleged naturazed citizens, have been
conclusvely established by experience, that could
the question be separated from the antagonism Of
party politics, 1t would find but little opposition
anywhere, scarcely perhaps from naturalized citi-
zens themselves Upon this question, and the cor
relative one of cultivating spirit OF intense ma
tionalty the Convention has assumed ground on
which Il may safels rest its claims to the support
and confidence of the American people.
There is one blot, however, upon the platform
which we can neither approve nor pass over in 81
lence. We allude to that feature which institutes
a religious test, and proscribes a certain sect OF
Christians. We are aware that this is attempted
to be done on the assumed political aspect of Ro-
man Catholicism, but the distinction Is so indef-
mite and so certain to be overstepped, even If it
could be clearly drawn, in the heat of the contest
that it may be safely asserted that the effect of the
article will be to introduce into the political arena
religious questions that have neither moral nor
legal right there. We can recognise neither the
proprety nor necessity Of this feature of the plat
form, and think that It cannot be insisted upon as
an essential feature of the principles Of the party
without greatly weakening its claim TO public con-
fdence and exposing il to charges of intolerance
which can neither be parted satisfactorily an
swered. Much Of the evil of this feature of the
platform is, however, abated by the accompanying
strong assertion Of the right of every man TO the
unrestrained and peaceful enjoyment of his reli-
gious opinions and worship; still, we cannot but
think that the entire omission from the declaration
of principles Of all reference to particular religious
sect, would have been more in accordance with
that just sentiment of the country which looks with
fear and dstrust upon the formation Of politico-
religious parties
With the exception referred to, the platform APP
pears to US entirely unobjectionable Its religious
acknowledgement Of the Almighty favor, its nation
al spirit its incubation Of patriotic sentiment, Its
maintenance Of the Union, and requirement of
obedience to the Constitution, it's denunciation OF
public and party corruption, its demand for the
radical revision aud remodelling of the laws regu.
lating immigration, and the essential modification
Of the naturalization laws, its maintenance Of the
public schools and the recognition of Christianity
in them by the reading Of the Holy Scriptures,
its avowa of the principles upon which our for.
eign intercourse should be governed, and finally
its recommendation of removal Of the secrecy
that has heretofore surrounded the organization,
each and all recommend themselves as sentiments
worthy the adoption and support OF Americans,
and their PRONUNCIATION must awaken hearty re.
spouse throughout the country.
Department News.
TREASURY DEPARTNEST.-Appointna Of Light
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