Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1855-06-28
State Council OF the Anne: ican
Pnrty,

al Council which met last week at Phila-
delphia. The following Platform of Prin-
ciples OF the American Party of Rhode Isl.
and was adopted
Whereas, by resolution this day adopt
ed by the State Council OF Rhode Island,
approving the action Of our Delegates in
signing the Platform based on the minority
report to the Grand National Council at
Philadelphia, this State Council have virtu-
ally seeded from the Order as National
Party and whereas it is proper that we
still labor together for the promotion of
individual and matt, nal prosperity, therefore
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves 10
the following
l. The acknowledgement Of that AL
mighty Being who rules over the universe,
who presides over the Councils OF Nations,
who conducts the affairs OF men, and who
in every step by which we have advanced to
the character Of all independent nation, has
distinguished US by some token of Provi-
dental agency.
2. The cultivation and Development of
a sentiment of profoundly intense Ameri-
can feeling OF passionate attachment to
our county, its history and its institutions
of admiration for the purer days o! our Ma
tional existence OF veneralion for the he
roism that precipitated our Revolution and
OF emulation Of the virtue, wisdom and pa
trotism that formed our constitution, and
first successfully applied It's provisions.
3. The unconditional restoration of that
time honored agreement known as the
Missouri Compromise, which was destroy
ed in utter disregard Of the popular will (; u
wrong which no lapse Of time can poliate,
and no plea for its continuance can justify.
And that wo will use all constitutional
means 10 maintain lhe positive guarantee
cf that compact, until the object for which
il was enacted has been consummated by
the admission of Kansas and Nebraska as
free States.
4. 'Fhe rights of the settlers in territories
to the tree and undisturbed exercise of the
elective franchise, guaranteed TO them by
the laws under which they are organized,
should bo promptly protected by the Ma
tonal Executive whenever violated or
thro lien ID.
5. Obedience under God to the Constitu-
ton of these United States, as the supreme
law of the land, scare dly obligatory upon
all its parts and members and steadlast
resistance to The spirit of innovation upon
its principles however specious the pre-
texts. Avowing that in all doubtful or
disputed points, it may only be legally as
cer,ained and expounded by the judicial
power OF the United States A habit of
reyerontial obedience 10 The laws, whether
National, State or Municipal, until they are
either repealed, or declared unconstitutional
by the proper authority.
8. A radical revision and modification Of
the laws reg ulating immigration, and the
settlement Of immigrants, Offering TO the
immigra ,s who from the love OF liberty or
hatred of oppression, seeks an asy lum in the
United States, II friendly reception and PRO.
lection, bat unqualifedIy condemning The
transmission To our shores of telons and
paupefs.
The essential modification Of our natu-
ralzation laws, the repeal by the Legisla.
lures of The respective States, Of all State
Laws allowing unnaturalizcd foreigners to
vote. The repeal without retracive ope-
ration, of all acts Of Congress making
grants Of land to unlaturalized fore igners.
The refusal TO extend the right OF suffrage
to all foreigners, until they shall have re-
sided in the United States 2l years, and
complied with the naturalization laws.
8. Hostility TO tho corrupt means by
which the leaders of parties, have hitherto
forced upon us, our rulers and our politi.
cal creeds Implacable enmity against the
present demoralizing system of rewards for
political subservcncy, and OF punishments
for political independence. Disgust for the
wild hunt after office which characterizes
the age.
These on the one hand, on the other,
imitation Of the practice of the purer days
of the republic; and admiration "t the
maxim, th,t the office should seek the
man, and not the man the Office and Of the
rule that the Just mode of ascertaining fit
ness for Office is the capability, the faithful
ness, and the honesty of the incumbent or
candidIt'.
y. Resistance TO the aggressive policy
and corrupting tendencies of the Roman
Catholic Church in our country, by the sd-
vancement to all political siations-exccu-
tive, legislative, judicial or diplomatc--of
those WIN do not hold civil allegiance, direct
ly OF indrectlyto any foreign power,wheiher
civil or ecclesiastical, and who are Ameri-
icaas by birth, education aud training, thus
fulfilling The maxim, Americans only shall
govern America The protection of all
citizens in tho legal and proper exercise
Of their civil and religious rights and priv.
ilsges, the maintenance to the right OF ev-
cry man to the full, unrestricted, and peace.
ful enjoyment Of his religious opinions snd
worship, and jealous resistance Of all at
tempts, by any sect, denomination or church,
to obtain an ascendancy over any other in
the State, by means Of any special privi'
leges, or exemption by any political COM
bnaIion of it's members, or by q division
Of their civil allegiance with any foreign
power, potentate, or ecclesiastic.
10. The reformation oi the character
Of our National Legislature, by elevating
TO that dignihed and responsible position
men Of sober habits, Of bigucr quslifica-
ticns, purer morals, and more unseltish
patriotism.
II. The restriction Of executive patro-
mage, especially in the appointments to Of
fee, 90 far a. Il may be permitted by the
Constitution, and consistent, with the pub.
lie good.
II. The education Of the youth Of our
country in schools provided by the State,
which schools shall be common 10 oil, with.
out distinction Of creed or party, and free
from any influence OF Correction .of . de-
nomina,ionsl or psrtirsn character And,
inssmueb ss Christissity, tv the consiiiu'