Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-01

themselves from the Anglo Americans; IL being,
on the contrary their very purpose TO contract an
efficient alliance with all true Americans, O., all
true republicans; but their preliminary separated
is only practical necessity, imposed
upon them by the difference in language, and has
the object to lead at once many Of the elder Ger
man emigrants TO more honorable position, who
hitherto under false names and pretexts were de-
ceived and used as tools by constituencies party
We express our principal aim and its motives in
the following platform, intended to serve as stan
dard in the performance of our republican rights.
In the elections be they national, city, county, or
State elections, we SHALL without regard to names
authorities, and conventions, support only such |
men snd parties as will pledge themselves TO the
support of principles, or give us the best guar
antee Of carrying them out
PLATFORM OF THE FREE GERMANS.
l.-sLAvERY QUESTION.
Notwithstanding that we consider slavery to be
political and moral cancer, that will by and by
undermine all republicanism, we deem its sudden
abolition neither possible nor advisable but we,
AS republicans and men, demand that the further
extension Of slavery be not constantly urged, whilst
not single step Is taken for It's determination.
We demand that at length real proofs be given Of
the good will 30 often boosted Of to remove the
evil that, in particular, slavery be excluded from
all new Territories Unfortunately and forever,
which measure Congress is completely entitled TO
pass according to the constitution. We demand
this the more as republican constitution Is guar
anteed to every new State, and slavery, in truth
cannot be considered republican element or re-
,,uiste. We further demand that all and every
one of the laws indirectly transporting the princ
plo and the influence of slavery in and upon free
States namely, the fugitive slave law, sla be re-
pealed, as demoralzing and degrading, and as con.
trary to rights and to the constitution. We finally
demand that, In all national affairs the principle Of
liberty shall be strictly maintained and in the
several States 1t be more and more realized by
gradual determination Of slavery.
2.--RELIGIoUs QUESTIONS.
We consider the right Of free expression of re-
lgious conscience untouchable, as we do the right
of free expression Of opinion in general; we there
fore accord to the believer the same liberty to
make known his convictions as we do the non
believer, as long as the rights of others are not
violated thereby. But from this very principle Of
liberty of conscience we are decidedly opposed to
all compulsion inflicted TO dissenting persuasions
10y laws unconsttutionally restricting the liberty
nf expression. Religion Is a private matter; it
has nothing to do with policy; hence it is despot
ism to compel citizens by political means to reli
gous manifestations or omissions contrary to their
private persuasions. We therefore hold the Sab.
bath laws, Thanksgiving DAYS, prayers in Congress
and Legislatures, the oaths upon the Bible the
introduction of the Bible into the free schools the
exclusion of atheists from legal acts, &c. as an
open violation of human rights as we'll as of the
constitution, and demand their removal.
MEASURES FOR THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE.
AS the foremost of such measures, we consider
the free cession of public lands to all settlers; to
occupy nature, the soil as exclusive property, this
no individual has right TO do il is for the time
the common principal fund of that population
which inhabits it. and anybody willing to culti-
waite it has an equal right to appropriate share
Of the SOIL far it is not disposed Of for pur-
poses of common interest. 1t is high time that
the ruinous traffic with the public lands should be
abolished that the wasting Of them by speculation
should cease, and that the INDECENT people enter
upon their rightful possession.
But if this end shall be fully attained il will be
required to aid poor coonists at their first settle
ment, with national MEANS lest said measure prove
useless for those very persons who most need it.
In the closest connexion with the land reform
question, stands that of emigration, which, by its
general Importance, should be raised to the rank
particular department % che uessdj ssi iss
government. Such board would have 10 nroy;de
Tor the various interests Of emigrants who are now
helplessly exposed to 80 many sufferinga WRONGS
and abuses from the place Of embarkation in In,
rope to the place Of their settlement in America
North America Is neglecting herself when neglect.
ing the emigration, for emigration is the mother OF
The admission of citizenship must be rendered
as easy rs possible to the emigrants
The welfare of a nation cannot be generally and
permanently secured unless its aboring classes be
iusue independent Of the oppression Of the capi-
taiist Labor has an incontestabe claim 10 the
value Of its products. Where Il is prevented
oy the want of the necessary capital, to secure
thus claim II is Of course referred to an alliance
with capital Of others. But If no just agreement
mad hx-
tsiist then the State, the arbitrator of all con.
lending interests, has 10 interfere. This must
either aid the associations Of working men by
credit banks, or mediate between the claims of the
laborer and the capitalist, by fixing minimum of
wages equallng the value Of the labor and a mar.
mum OF labor answering the demands of humanity
day. poi
In letting out State contracts, the preference
should be given, IL II can be done without running
risk, TO associations Of workmen, rather than 10
single contractors. But when given 10 single con-
tractors, the latter ought TO give security for
proper wages to the workmen employed by them,
In order to enjoy life, liberty, and happiness"
all indiscriminately must have the use of free
schools Tor all branches Of education, in which,
wherever sufficient number of Germans live a
German teacher should be employed.
In order that the attainment Of justice may no
longer remain a privilege for the possession Of
money, justice must DO dispensed withouAfees.
4.--coSsrrrprIosAL QUESTIONS.
Considering, as we do, the American Consttu
ton rs the best now In existence we yet think Il
neither perfect nor unimprovable. In particular
we hold the following amendments and additions.
likewise acceptable for the State constitution. as
timely and proper means TO check the prevailing
corruption, 10 wit
!. All elections without any exception, should
issue directly from the people.
2 Any eligible citizen Of any State NAV be
elected as member Of Congress by the citizens of
any other State, and likewise may any eligible de-
nizen OF any county be elected by the citizens Of
any other county for member of the State lie.
gislature.
8. Any Representative and officer may at any
time be recalled BY the majority ofthe constituents,
and replaced by another
5.--rRrE TRADE
We decidedly profess the principle offree trade.
and viii support Il in all cases where It may be |
carried through without disadvantage to the |
other side