Southern shield., 1855-08-25
PL A T F 0 R NJ
 OF THE AMERICAN PARTY

THE PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES OF THE ORGAN
 PAXTON.
 1.-The acknowledgment 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 char acter of an independent nation has distin- guishcd us by some token of PrOyidential agency.
 H.-The cultivation and development of sentiment of profoundly intense American feel ing 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 precipita- ted our Revolutions and of emulation of the virtue, wisdom, and patriotism that framed our Constitution and first successfully applied its provisions.
 IlI.-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:-
 lst. Opposition to all attempts to weaken or subvert it.
 2d. Uncompromising antagonism to every principle of policy that cndangers it.
 3I. The advocacy of an equitable adjust ment of all political differences which threaten its integrity or perpetuity.
 4th. The suppression of all tendencies to political division, founded on geographical discrimination or on the belief that there is real difference Of interest and views" between the various sections of the Union.
 FTI,, fill ,,5..1,c,,.+1,,, e .l, ,c the several States, as expressed and reserved in the Constitution and a careful avoidance, by the General Government, of all interfcr- ence with their rights by legislative or eXecu- tive action.
 IY.-Obedience to the Constitution of these United States, as the supreme law of the land. sacredly obligatory upon all its parts and members; and steadlast resistance to the spirit of innovation upon its principles. however spacious the prctexts. Avowmg that in all doubtful or disputed points it may only be le- gaIIy ascertaincd and eXpounded by the Judi cial power of the United States.
 And. as q c0rollarv to the above :-
 l. A habit of revcrential obedience to the laws, whether National State, or Municipal until they are either repealed or declared un- constitutional by the proper authority.
 ?. 4 tender and sacred regard for those acts Of statcsmanship, which are to be contra-dis- tinguished from acts of ordinary legislation, by the fact of their being of the nature of con- pacts and agreements; and so, to be ccnsid- cred fixed and settled national policy.
 VA radical revision and modification of the laws regulating immigration, and the set clement of immigrants. Offering to the hon. ,,+ ,r-bn hatred of oppression, seeks an asylum in the United States, q friendly reception and pro- lection. But unqualifedly condemning the transmission 10 our shores, of felons and pau pers.
 VI.-The essential modification of the Nat uralization Laws.
 The repeal by the Legislatures of the respec- tive States, of all State laws allowing foreign CTS, not naturalized, to vote.
 The repeal, without retroactive operation, of all acts of Congress making grants of lands to unnaturalized foreigners, and allowing them to vote in the Territories.
 VII.-Hostility to the corrupt means by which the leaders of party have hitherto forced upon us our rulers and our political creeds
 Implacable enmity against the prevalent demoralizing system of rewards for political subserviency 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 of the maxim that office should seek the man, and not man the office, y and of the rule that. the just mode ofascertaining fitness for officeis the capability. the faithfulness, and the honesty of the incum- bent or candidate.
 VIII.-R Resistance to the aggressive policy and corrupting tendencies of tho Roman Cath ollie Church in our country by the advance ment to all political stations executive, le- gislatiye, judicial or diplomatic-of those on- ly who do not hold civil allegiance, directly or indirectly to any foreign power whether civil or ecclesiastical, and who are Americans by birth, education and training thus full filling the maxim, AMERICANS 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, unrestrained and peaceful enjoyment of his own religious opinions and worship, and jealous resistance of all attempts by any sect, denomination or church to obtain an ascendancy over any oth- CT in the State, by means of any special priv ileges or exemption, by any political combi- nation of it's members, or by division of their civil allegiance with any foreign power, poten- tate, or ecclesiastic.
 IX.-The reformation of the character of our National Legislature, by elevating to that dignified and irresponsible position men of high CT qualifications, purer morals, and more un- selfish patriotism.
 X.-The restriction of executive patronage, especially in the matter of appointments to ollice--so far as it may be permitted by the Con stitution. and consistent with the public good
 N.-The education of the youth of our country in schools provided by the State {; which schools shall be common to all, without distinction of creed or party, and free from any influence or direction of denominational or partizan character.
 p1 ol. IL ~