The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-07-21
The Know Nothing State Council.

ing oil the council go lOuScS, tiat lIoouoiy
being the number in the state, were called
for delegates, from only Gj Of which, how
ever, representatives appeared, numbering
in all about 10. W. W. Danenhowcr, of
Chicago, was appointed president, and Ii.
s. Jennings, Of Chicago, secretary. The
president stated the business Of the council
to be, to hear the report Of the Philadelphia
convention. The report was read, and then
on the question of adopting the majority, or
national platform Of that convention, a stor-
my debate followed, which ended in laying
the platform on the table, by a vote of about
"A to 80. \ committee of was then raised
to report platform for this state, who, ai-
ter the usual time needed to examine cut
and dry document reported the platform CIV
en- below, which was adopted without much
opposition except the portions relating tG
slavery, on which the vote was ":tout "A to
80. The Hon. jesse o. N.,orton and Joseph
Gillespie were thea appointed delegates to
the next National Council, and the Council,
after soG.r other unimportant business, ad.
journcd.
The following is the platform adopted
I. We believe in the existence of an Al
mighty Being who rules the Universe and
governs nations, and to whose all.wiSc and
paternal care we are indebted for our unpar-
allelcd advancement in national and ndiyid-
ual prosperity.
2. We admit the privilege, and will de
fcnd the right, of all persons, OF whatever
religious sect or denomination, to exercise
pericct freedom in religious opinions, and to
worship God according to the dictates OF
their own conscicnces," so long as they Shall
not, as a sect or church, seek to exercise any
temporal power hereby denying all wish or
purpose to interfere with the religious opin-
ions Of any one.
3. We are opposed to all political asso.
Citations Of men composed exclusively Of per
sons Of foreign BIRTH and to the formation Of
foreign military companies in our own coun-
try.
t. The cultivation and development Of a
purely American sentiment and ieeling-a
passionate attachment to our country and its
goyernment-of admiration for thu purer
days OF our national eXiSlencc-of voneraton
OF our national fathers, and Of emulation of
the virtue, wisdom and patriotism that fra
med the Constitution.
5. That the time has arrived when the
American party Of the United States are cal
led upon to take open, fearless and unrcscr-
we'd ground upon the great question OF slave
IA, e
section of this Union and that the intense
excitement and agitation which at the pres
cnt time are distracting our country upon
the subject cf slavery have been caused by
the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise and
that that repeal was unCailcd for, a gross Vi
olation and disregard for sacred compact,
entered into between the two great sections
OF this coulydoracy, and in the highest DC
gree destructive to the peace and welfare Of
this Union that restoration Of the Nilsson
ri Compromise, as it will restore the terrific,
ry for which twas originally made, to the
some situation in which II was before that
line was unnecessarily destroyed, SO II will
restore peace and harmony to the country
without, injury or injustice to any portion o
/ the Union that while it will only give t,
I freedom that which with due solcmnty anC
in good faith was long since conveyed to he
under the contract, it will equally presery
the full and auaisputed rights acquired I'm
der it by the South and that therefore tn
Missouri Compromise should be restored
and that in all political national contests tn
American party in the State Of Illinois wi
demand of its candidates for office, anon
other qualifications, their open and undis
guiscd opinion upon this question.
6. The essential modification ofthe natu
radiation laws by extending the time OF res
idcnce required by those of foreign birth t
entitlc them to citizenship. A total rcpea
of all State laws allowing any but citizens c
the United States the right oisuiirage but
careful avoidance Of all interference wit
rights Of citizenship already acquired unde
existing laws.
Z. Resistance to the corrupting intlucn
ccs and aggressive policy of the Romis
Church, answering opposition to all ioreig
influence, or interference Of foreign emissa
ries, whether civil or ecclesiastical.
s. A radical improvement in the preser
system Of executive patronage, which unsps
: ringly conters rewards for political subserv
ency, an d Furnishes for manly independence
I III pOiitlNui ollIillOU " Ni'N9' NsNiNiSS
political rights.
.. The education of the youth Of ou
land in the schools of our country, whic
should be open to all, without regard to cor
diton or creed, and which shall be free frol
all influences of a UNCONVENTIONAL or partiza
character, but in which the Holy Bible sha
ever be freely introduced and read, rs tn
T book which contains the best system Of me
rails, and the only system of pure religion
and from which every true Christian mu.
derive the rule ofhiS faith and practice.
} 10. The just and proper protection
American labor and American enterprise all
genius against the adverse policy of forcig
nations; asserting, also, that it is both witt
in the power and duty Of the General Coz
, ornmcnt to aid and facilitate internal con
mcrcc by an improvement Of our rivers an
the harbors upon our lakes
II. We declare our attachment to Il
union oithese States, aud while we do n,
partakc Of the fears SO often entertained
its dissolution, we will tndeayor to promo
b. its perpotuity 10y firm adherence to all Il
principles as well Of the Constitution rs Il
Declaration of American Independence.
c II. We discaim all right of the Gcner
| Government to interfere with the institute,
OF slavery as it exists in any Of the States
, this Union but we distinctly assert tn
. Congress has full power, under the Cons
o tuition, to legislatc upon the subject in Il
c Territories of the United States.
d H. Such radical modification Of I
laws in reference to emigration as will eifc,
= ually prevent the sending to our shores t
c paupers and felons of other nations.
IL II. We condemn, in the most posti
IL manner, the assaults upon the elective fra
il chiSe in Kansas, and the efforts to cont
the free exercise Of the right Of suffrage
which every American citizen is entitled.
:. ResOiocd, That the principles and obje,
d Of tho American party shall hereafter be ,
II erywhcre distinctly and openly avowed a
d published; and We invite all persons W
believe in true American principles 10 aid
in carrying out our principles as herein
T. forth--and we will checrlully cooperate "
j. any party as national party, whose obj
IS it will be to carry into effect the above sen
-. ments.
Not to lcngthen out this article too mn,
let us hastily run over this platform. I