Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-27

v
The Convention Of the AMERICAN PARTY
OF VIRGINIA, which met at Winchester, on
Tuesdey, the 18th of March, appointed the under
signed committee, to make publication, over their
names, of the following:
Basis Principles OF the American Party OF
ts,w yirginia.
Determined to preserve our political institutions
In their original purity and vgor and TO keep them
unadulterated and unimpaired by foreign influence,
either civil or religious, well as by home faction
and home demagoguism; and believing that an
American policy, religious, political, and CONNER
cia necessary for the attainment Of these ends, we
shall observe and carry out In practice, the follow
ing principles:
/. That the suffrAges of the American people
!, for political Offices should not be given to any
other than those born on our soil, and reared and
matured under the influence of our institutions.
.. That no foreigner ought TO be allowed 20 ex-
ercise the elective franchise, till he shall have re-
sided within the United States sufficient length
Of time TO enable him 10 become acquainted with
the principles and imbued with the spirit OF our
institutions, and until he shall have become tho
roughly identified with the great interests Of our
country.
8. That whilst no obstacle should be interposed
TO the immigration of all foreigners Of honest and
industrious habits, and all privileges and immuni-
ties enjoyed by any natiye-boIn citizens Of our
country should be extended to all such immigrants,
xcept that Of participating In any of our political
administrations yet all legal means should be
adopted 70 obstruct and prevent the immigration
of the vicious and worthless, the criminal and
paupcr. g
4. That the american doctrine OF religious tol-
crston, and entire absence Of all prescription for
opinions sake, should be cherished as one Of the
very fundam entail principles of our civil freedom
and that any sect or party which believes and main
tains that any foreign power, religious or pslitica
has the right TO control the conscience or direct
the conduct Of freeman, occupies position which
Ia totally at war with the principles Of freedom Of
opinion, and which IL mischieyous In It's tendency,
and which principle, IL carried into practice, would
prove wholly destructive Of our religious and civil
liberty. Il - s-1.- :. s,s- 1..,.s., .@s,..
s. That the Bible In the hands ofevery free cit.
lien is the only permanent basis OF all true liberty
and genuine equality. s
q. That the intelligence OF the people Is neces-
cary TO the right use and the continuance Of our
liberties, civil and religious; hence the prophety
and Importance Of the promotion and fostering ol
al means OF moral and intellectual culture by some
adequate and permanent provision for general ed
ucation.
Y. That the doctrine Of availability, now 20 prev
alent and controlling, In the nomination Of cand
dates for Office, In total disregard TO all principles
Of right, Of truth, and Of justice, Is essentially
wrong, and should be By all good men condemned
s. That AZ general rule, the same restrictions
should be prescribed 70 the exercise Of the power
Of removal from Office, as are made necessary TO bs
observed In the power Of appointment thereto
and that executive influence and patronage should
be scrupulously conferred and jealousy guarded.
Q. That the sovereignty Of the States should b,
supreme In the exercise Of al powers not express
" delegated 70 the federal government and which
may not be necessary and proper 10 carry out ths
powers 90 delegated and that this principle should
be observed and held sacred in all organizations o
the American party.
10. That an scctsrisn intermeddling with politics
or political institutions, coming from whatever
source II may, should be promptly resisted by al
such means ss seem 70 be necessary and proper for
this end. sV
Ii. That whilst the perpetuity Of the presen,
form Of the federal government Of the United
States is actually necessary for the proper develop
nent Of all the resources Of this country yet the
principle ofnon-intervention, Of both on the part Of
the federal governments and of the several States
Of the Union, Ia the municipal affairs Of each other
ID essential 10 peace and prosperity of our country
and 70 the wellbeing and permsnence Of our insti
tutons and at the same tine the only reliable
bond Of brotherhood and union
IA The red rcpnblicanism and Icentious indul
gence in the enjoyment Of civil privileges, are a
much TO be feared and deprecated by all friends
TO wsI-regulstcd government and true liberty a.
any OF the forms Of monarchy and despotism
Is. That the true Interests and welfare Of thil
country, the honor Of this nation, the individua
and private rights ofits citizens, conspire to de
msnd that all other questions arising from party
organizations, or from any other source, should b.
held Subordinate 70 and in practice made TO yiels
to the great principles herein promulgated.
ANDREW Z. KENNEDY, OF jefferson,
GEORGE ID. GRAY, Of Culpeper,
Ill JOSIAH DABBS, of Halifax.