Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-07-11
NEW SERIES.
-TR n Nc s.:
The American National Council--lts Flat
form Adopted.

The American National Council--Its Plat
form Adopted.
The majority of the national council of the
American party continued in session after
the boiling of the delegates representing
twelve States in the council. and have, after
considerable labor, fashioned the following
platform of principles, upon which they re-
oommend the party to public support:
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.
I. The acknowledgement of that Almighty
Being, who rules over the universe-who pre-
rides over the councils of nations-who con-
ducts the affairs of men, and who, IN every
step By which we have advanced to the char
acter of an independent nation, has dlstln-
guished us by some token of Providential
agency.
II, The cultivation and development of a
sentiment of profoundly intense American
feelings; 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
precipitated our revolution and of emulation
of the virtue, wisdom and patriotism that fra
med our constitution and first successfully ap-
piled its provisions.
III. The maintenance of the union of these
United States as paramount political good; /;
or to use the language ofWashington, g the
primary object of patriotic desire" And
hence
1st. Opposition to all attempts to weaken
or subvcrt it.
3D. Uncompromising antagonism to every
principle of policy that endangers it,
Sd The advocacy of an equitable ADJUST
ment of all political differences which threat
en- its integrity or perpetuity.
4th That suppression of all tendencies to
political division. founded on geographical
determinations, oD the belief that there is
real difference of interests and views be-
tween the Various sections of tho TTninr-
5th. The full recognition of the rights of
the several States, as expressed and reserved
in the constitution; and careful avoidance
by the general government of all interference
with their rights by legislative or executive
action.
". Obedience to the constitution of these
United States. as the supreme law of the land,
sacredly obligatory upon all its parts and
members and steadfast resistance TO the spir-
it of innovation upon It's principles, however
specious the pretexts. Avowing that in all
doubtful or disputed points it may only be le-
gally ascertained and expounded by the judi
cial power of the United States.
And as a corollary to the above
l. A reverential habit of obedience to the
laws, whether national, state or municipal,
until they are either repealed or declared un-
constitutional by the proper authority.
2. A tender and sacred regard for those
acts of craftsmanship, which are to be contra
distinguished from acts of ordinary legislation,
By the fact of their being of the nature of
compacts and agreements; and so to be con-
sidered fixed and settled national policy
V. radical revision and modification of
loru rofrr Ill.
tlement of immigrants. Offering to the hon
est immigrant, who from love of liberty or
hatred of oppression, seeks an asylum in the
United States, friendly reception and pro-
lection. But unqualifdely condcmning the
transmission to our shores of felons and pau
pers
VI. The essential modification of the ma
turalization laws
The repeal by the Legislatures oe the res
pective States, of all State laws allowing for
eigners not naturalized to vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation
of all acts of Congress, making grants of land
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 for
yccd upon US our rulers and our political
ereeds.
moralizing system of rewards for political sub
servisncy. and of punishment for political in
dependence
Disgust for the wild hunt after Office which
characterizes the age.
Ihese on the one hand. On the other
iml'a1on o. the practice of the purer days
of the republic and admiration of the main,
that /" Office should seek the man and NO.
man the office" and of the rule that tLa 80.
mode of aseertaining fitness for office - 1ss tIs
capablity the faithfulness and the bonast s',s
the incumbent or candidate. u
VIII Resistance to the aggressive nol;o,
and corrupting tendencies of the Roman Ca,
tholic Church in our country by the advance
ment to all political stations-executive leo
islative, Judicial or diplomatic--of these ouIv
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 fulfilling
the maxim, :" AMERICANS ONLY SHALL GOVERN
AMERICA y
The protection Of all citizens in the legal
anu proper exercise of their civil and religious
r;h sh.s ana privileges; the maintenance Of the
a I. ol every man to the full, unrestrained
aaa peaceful enjoyment of his own religious