Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-17

A regular meeting of the National Council, Of
the American Party begun and held at Phiiodel-
phja, on the 5th of Jane, A. d., 1855, the fol-
io,ying ,oas adopted as The Platform and PYin-
ciples Of the Organization.
The acknowledgement of that Almighty Be-
ing, who rules over the Universe, who presides
over the councils of nations,-w conducts the
affairs of men, and who, in every step by which
we have advanced to the character of an indepen-
dent nation, has distinguished by some token of
Providential agency.
1.-THE cnltiv ,tion and development of sem
timent of profoundly intense American feeling; of
passionate attachment to our country, its history
and its institutions; Of admiration for the purer
days of our nat onal existence; Of vcneration for
the heroism that precipitated our Revolution and
Of emulation of the virtue, wisdom, and patriotism
that framed our constitution and first successfully
applied its provisions.
lII.--The maintenance of the union of these
United States the paramount political good or,
20 use the language Of Washington, " the primary
OF, ,sct Of patriotic desire" And hence
1st. Opposition to all attempts to weaken or
subvert il.
I'd. Uncompromising anita gonism TO every prin-
ciple of policy that endangers it.
Sd. The advocacy of an equitable adjustment of
II political differences which threaten its integrity
or perpetuity.
4th. The suppression of all tendencies to polhi-
cal division, founded ON geographical discrimi-
nations or on the belief that there is real differ
ence of interests and views" between the various
sections of the Union.
5th. The Full recognition Of the rights of the
several States, as expressed and reserved in the
Constitution; and a careful avoidance, by the
General Government, Of all interference with their
rights by legislative or executive action.
IV.-0bedience to the Constitution of these Uni
ted States as the supreme law of the land, sacred
" obligatory upon all its parts and members and
steaist resistance to the spirit Of innovation upon
its principles, however spccious the pretexts.
Avowing that in all doubtful disputed points it
may only be legally ascertain ID and expounded by
the judicai power Of the United States.
And, as a corollary to the above:
|. A habit OF reverential obedience to the law,
whether National, State or Municipal, until they
are either repealed or declared unconstitutional by
the proper authority.
2. A tender and sacred regard for those acts Of
statesmanshp which are to be contradistinguished
from acts Of ordinary legislation, by the fact Of
their being OF the nature Of compacts and agree
ments; and so, TO be considered fixed and settled
national policy
VA radical revision and modiL,ation Of the
laws regulating immigration and the settlement Of
immigrants. Offering to the honest immigrant who,
from love Of liberty or hatred of oppression, seeks
an asylum in the United States, friendly recep-
ton and protection. But unquali6edly condemn
ing the transmission 10 our shores of fclons and
paupe-s.
VI The essential modification of the Natural
ization Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures Of the respective
States, of all State laws allowing foreigners not
naturalized 10 vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation, Of all
acts Of Congress making grants Of land to unnatu-
rallied soreigncrs and allowing them TO vote in
the Territories.
VII Hostility to the corrupt means by which
the leaders Of patty have hitherto forced upon us
our rulers and our political creeds.
Implacable enmity against the prevalent demorsl-
izing system OF rewards for political snbserviency,
and Of punlshments for political independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office which char
acterizes tho age.
These on the one hand On the other:--
Imitation Of the practice Of the purer days of
tE Republic; and admiration of the maxim that
"officc should seek the man, and not man the Of
ice," and Of the rule that the just mode OF ascer-
tanning fitness for Office is the capabity, the faith
fulness, and the honesty Of the incumbent or can
dilate.
vIII.--Resstance to the aggressive policy and
&C .rupting tendencies Of the Roman Catholic
Church in our country by the advancement TO all
political stations executive legislative judicial, or
dplomatic--of those only who do not hold civil
allegiance, directly or indirectly, to any foreign
power. whether civil or ecclesiastical and who
Americans by birth, education and trining--thus
fulfilling the maxim: "AMERIcASs ONLY SHALL
GOVERN AMERICA
The protection Of all citizens in the legal and
proper exercise OF their civil and religious rights
and privileges; the maintenance of the right OF
every man to the full unrestraned, aud peaceful en-
ioyinent Of his own religious opinions and Worship
and Jealous resistance Of all attepts by anv soct
In atiar nr church IN obtain m aanand lry