Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-06-27
NRms of tbR 1au.

litical news of the day, the Platform of Prin-
ciples adopted by the American National
Convention, recently held in Philadelphia
Some 81 persons from non-slaveholding States
seeded from the Convention on the adoption
Of this Platform, and erected another on
which they could stand without surrendering
their abolition sentiments. Several seeding
members from the free States afterwards re-
turned to the National Ccnventisn, and pro-
fessed to cooperate under the Conservative
platform in good faith. The 22d of Februa-
ry next (Washington's birth day was desig-
mated as the time for holding a Convention
to nominate a candidate for the Presidency,
&c. Immense ratification meetings have
been held in Philadelphia, New York, Balti-
more, Washington City, &c.
Platform and Principles of the American
Organization.
The following are the platform and principles of
the American Organization, adopted by the Ma
tional Council at Philadelphia
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.
1.-The acknowledgement of that Almighty
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 charactar Of an Independent
nation, has distinguished us by some token of Pro-
vidential agency.
1.-THE cultivation and development Of a SEN
JlIment OF proudly intense American Ieel1ng OF
passionate attachment to our country, its history
and its institutions Of admiration for the purer
DAYS of our national existence of veneration 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.
UI.-The maintenance of the Union Of these.
United States as the paramount political good or
to use the language OF Washington, the primary
object of patriotic DESIRE And hence :
1st. Opposition to all attempts to weaken or
subvert it.
I'd. Uncompromising antagonism to every prin-
ciple of policy that endangers it.
Sd. The advocacy OF an equitable ad justment OF
all political differences which threatens its integri-
ty or perpetuity.
4th. The suppression of all tendencies to politi-
cal division, founded on geographical discrimina-
lions, or on the belief that there is a real difference
of interests and views between the various sec
tions of the Union.
9Th. The full recognition Of the rights of the
several States, as expressed and reserved in the
Constitution and a careful avoidance, by the Gen
eral Government, of all interference with the
rights by legislative or executive action.
IV.-Obedience to the Constitution of these
United States, as the supreme law of the land, sa-
credly obligatory upon all its parts and members
and %steadtast resistance to the spirit OF innovation
upon its principle, however specIous the p%retexts.
Avowng that in all doubtful or disputed points it
may only be legally ascertained and expounded by
the judicial power of the United States.
And, as q cOrOllarY TO the ABOVE =
l.. Ahabit Of reverential obedience to the laws.
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 .o
craftsmanship, which are to be contra distinguished
from acts of ordinary legislation, by the fact O.
their being of the nature of compacts and agree
ments and so, to be considered a fixed and settled
national policy.
VA radical revision and modification of the
1aTuS O atinO mr. n1@rafinO on1 tho SattlaOoantc
Offering to the honest immigrant, who from love
of liberty or hatred of oppression, seeks an asylum
in the United States, a friendly reception and pro
lection. But unqualifedly condemning the trans
mission to our shores, of felons and paupers.
VI.-The essential modification of the Naturali
Zation Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures of the respective
States, of all State laws allowing foreigners no
naturalized to vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation, of al
acts of Congress making grants of land to unnat
uralized foreigners, and allowing them to vote il
the Territories.
VH.-Hostility to the corrupt means by which
the leaders of party have hitherto forced upon u
nnr rulers and political creeds.
Implacable enmity against the present demorali
zing systems of rewards for political subserviency
and of punishments for political independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office whicl
characteriZes the age.
These on the one han . On the other
Imitation Of the practice of the purer DAYS of tn
hepuDnc ana admlfatlOn OF the maxim that { o.
flee should seek the man, and not man the office
and OF the rule that, the Just mode of ascertainin
fitness for office is the capability, the faithfulnes
and the honesty CT the incumbent or candidate.
Nl.-Resistance to the aggressive policy an
corrupting tendencies of the Roman Cathol
Church in our country by the advancement to a
political tations-eXecutive, legislative, iudicii
or diplomatic-of those only who do not hold civ
allegiance, directly or indirectly, to any foreie
power, whether civil or ecclesiastical, and wi
are Americans bv birth educatiOn and tFaipino
thus fulfilling the maxim Americans only Sho
Gorern America.'
The protection of all citizens in the legal al
proper exercise of their civil and religious RICH
and privileges; the maintenance of the RIG
of every man to the full, unrestrained and peac
ful enjoyment of his own religious opinions a
worship; and a jealous resistance of all attempt
E by any sect, denomination or church to obtain Il
ascendency over any other in the State, by mea-
of any special privileges, or exemption BY any D
Utica combination of its members or by division
) their civil allegiance with any foreign power, P
tentate or ecclesiastic.
iX.-The reformation of the character of O
e National Legislature, by e~levating to that dignif
! ! andresponsible position men of higher qualification
l purer morals, and more unselfsh patriotism.
l A.-Ihe restriction of executive patronage
| Pecially in the matter of appointments to office
so far as it may be permitted by the Constitute
. and consistent with the public good.
XI.-The education ofthe youth of our count
in schools provided by the State which scho
shall be common to all, without distinction
: creed or party, and free from any influence or
s rection Of a UNCONVENTIONAL or partizan charactel
And, inasmuch as Christianity, by the Consti
tons of nearly all the States by the decisions
the most eminent judicial authorities and by
consent Of the people of America, is considered
o element Of our political system, and as the HI
Bible is at once the source of Christianity a
the depository and fountain of all civil and religit
freedom, we oppose every attempt to exclude
from the schools thus established in the States.
n XII.-The American party having arisen UP
the ruins and in spite Of the opposition of the w
and Democratic parties, cannot be held in a
manner responsible for the obnoxious acts or vic
= ted pledges of either. And the systematic agi
d ton of the slavery question by those parties hay
IF elevated sectional hostility into a positive elem
h of political power, and brought our institutions i
= L peril, it has heretofore become the imperative d
- ofthe American party to i%nterpose, for the purp
of giving peaceto the country and perpetuity to
Us Union. And as experience has shown it inn
sible to reconcile opinions 50 extreme as til