The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-11-13


and by the authority of the State Council.
We clip the following Platform from the
Prospectus, which coming "By authority"
we may safely consider the position occupied
by the American Party:
ILLINOIS AMERICAN PLATFORM.
~. We believe in the existence of an AL
mighty Being, who rules the universe, and
governs nations, and to whose all wise and
patemal care we are indebted for our unparal
leled advancement in national and individual
prosperity.
2. We admit the privilege, and will defend
the right of all persons, of whatever religious
sect or denomination, to exercise perfect free
dom in religious opinions, and to "worship
God according to the dictates of their con-
sciences" so long as they shall not as caste or
church, seek to exercise any temporal power;
thereby denying all wish or purpose to inter-
ferc with the religious opinions of any one.
8. We are opposed to all political associa-
tions of men composed exclusively Of persons
of foreign birth, and to the formation of for
eign military companies in our country.
4. The cultivation and development of a
purely American sentiment and feeling-a
passionate attachment to our country, and its
government-of admiration of the purer days
of our national fathers and of emulation of
the virtue, wisdom and patriotism that franz
ed our constitution.
5. That the time has arrived when the
American Party of the United States are call
ed upon to take open, fearless and unreseved
ground upon the great question of slavery,
hot q, fho of
ton of this Union; and that the intense ex-
citemcnt and agitation which at the present
time are distracting our country upon the sub
ject Of slavery have been caused by the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise; and as that re-
peal was uncalled for, gross violation and
disregard of sacred compact, entered into
between the two great sections of this great
confcderacy, and in the highest degree de-
structive to the peace and welfare of this
Union. That restoration Of the Missouri Com
promise, rs it will restore the territory for
which it was originally made to the same sit
uation in which it was before that line was
unnecessarily destroyed, so it will restore
peace and harmony to the country, without
injury or injustice, TO any portion of the
Union that while it will only give to free
dom that which with due solemnity and in
good faith was long since conveyed to her UNI
der the CONTRACT, it will equally preserve the
full and undisputcd rights acquired under it
by the South, and that therefore the Missou-
ri Compromise should be restored, and that
in all political national contests the American
party in the State of Illinois, will demand of
its candidates for Office among other qualfica-
tions their undisguised opinions upon this
question.
6. The essential modification of the natur-
alization laws, by prescribing the time of resi-
dencc required of those of foreign birth to en-
title them to citizenship. A total repeal of
all state laws allowing any but citizens of the
United States the right of suffrage. But a
careful avoidance ofall interference with rights
of citizenship already acquired under existing
| laws.
Z. Resistance to the coruptive influences
and aggressive policy of the Romish Church,
answering opposition to all foreign emissa-
ries, whether civil or ecclesiastical.
6. A radical improvement in the present
system of executive patronage, which unspar-
ingly confers rewards for political subserviency,
and Furnishes for manly independence in po-
litical opinion and fearless exercise of politi-
cal rights.
0. The education of the youth of our land
in the schools of our country, which should
be open to all, without regard to condition or
creed, and which shall be free from all in
fuences of denominational or partizan char
tcr-but in which the Holy Bible, shall ever
be freely introduced and read, as the book
which contains the best system of morals, and
the only system of pure religion and from
which every true Christian mus. derive the
rule of his faith and practice.
10. The just and proper protection to
American labor and American enterprise and
genius, against the adverse policy of foreign
nations; asserting also, that it is both within
the power and duty of the general govern
ment to aid and facilitate internal commerce
by an improvement -four rivers and the har,
bors upon our lakes.
IL. We declare our attachment to the
Union of these States, and while we do. not
partake of the fears so often entertained Of
its dissolution, we will endeavor to promote
its perpetuity by firm adherence to all the
principles rs well of the constitution rs the
declaration of American independence.
IL. We disclaim all right of the general
government to interfere with the institution Of
slavery as it exists in any of the States of this
Union; but we distinctly assert that Congress
has full power under the Constitution, to leg
isate upon the subject in the Territories o.
the United States. ~
13. Such radical modification of the laws
in reference to immigration as will cffectually
prevent the sending to our shore, the pauper'
and felons of other nations.
IA. We condemn, in most positive man
ncr, the assaults upon tho elective franchise
in Kansas, and the efforts to control the free
exercise Of the right of suffrage, to which
every American citizen is entitled.
Resolved, That the principles and objects
of the American party shall hereafter be every
where distinctly and openly avowed and pub
lishcd and we invite all persons who believe
in true American principles, to aid us in car.
rying out our principles as herein set forth
and we will checrfully cooperate with any
party as national party, whose object it vii