The Empire County argus., 1855-11-24

The enunciation of abstract political theories is
perhaps expedient whensoever there is a necessity
for promulgating doctrines upon the subject of our
international policy but at present there is no such
necessity The agitation of such questions at pres
ent to the exclusion of our State affairs would fall
short of the point to which it our duty to address
ourselves.
Discarding therefore, all sectionalities, and while
our allegiance to the fatherland is the foundation
and corner stone of our political faith, and while
we earnestly hope to see all sectional animosites
there allayed, and are convinced that silence and
indifference are the true means of accomplishing
anything towards that end, we cannot forget that
we have nearer and more pressing home duties, re-
quired of us. For the purpose therefore, of more
clearly defining and of re-affrming those doctrines
which the people have heretofore so clearly en-
dorsed through the ballot box--we deem it expedi-
ent at this juncture to address you.
We demand careful revisal of our criminal
code, expurgation of its errors and reconcile
ment Of its inconsistencies that the means of en-
forcing its penalties be made more certain so that
while the guilty shall not escape trial the convict
ed shall not escape punishment, we demand the
enactment of laws for the protection of our votes
against the tricks and frauds Of bues and knaves,
we demand that the fountains of both civil and
criminal Jurisprudence be purified we demand
more urgent effort be made for the settlement of
our land titles,an also for the protection of bona
fde settlers; we demand more economical res
ponsble and systematic administration of our State
Government; we demand that laws be enacted
which, independent of healthy commercial inter-
course, will check the exhausting drain from our
pockets to those of Eastern capitalists and specua
tors, and protest against making the State, either
divided political or financial dependency of New
York or Louisiana. We demand that our Legisla-
tors shall direct their attention to the passage of
laws tor the support and maintenance of only Mat
nf
children, which shall be wholly uncontrolled by
sectaran influence.
We ask that immediate steps be taken to urge
successfully upon the General Government the en-
largement of the plan and the fastening of the
completion of our coast defences their present con-
dtlon, leaving seaports exposed to blockade and
bombardment and communication with the
rest of the world liable to be Interrupted at any
time. We insist upon the establishment amongst
u.s. of U. S. Arsenal of sufficient resources in
variety and quantity, to arm and equip all cit
lzens for any emergency which our ever varying
foreign relations may at any time create. We de-
mand that the General Government shall cease to
tax this people for government purposes beyond
those of our sister States.
We believe that the General Government has the
power to lend her aid in the building of works of
internal improvement which, in the event of war,
would become vitality important to the proper de-
fence OF our people. The Pacific Railroad being
such, we urge the united effort of our Representa-
tives in Congress to expedite its building.
We pledge ourselves to the support of every
measure which has for its object the facilitating
means of the transit to and from our State.
While we advocate either the repeal or great
modification of our naturalization laws--we de-
mand that all who have or will comply with our
terms, be allowed the privileges guaranteed to
them.
We believe in the doctrine of ''Americans ruling
America" and that the boon held out to foreigners
and secured to our naturazed citizens by our con-
stituton and laws is protection in the enjoyment of
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We believe that all white native born citizens of
good moral character who acknowledge no alIegi-
ance superior equal to their allegiance to the
Constitution and laws of the United States, are a
common brotherhood and entitled to the same priv
ieges without reference to sect or religion, and
drawing ourselves out of all sectional agitation
upon the subject of southern rights distinguished
from the northern, we demand that our Congress
siona delegation shall vote ''ndy upon every prop
osition coming from whatever quarter It may to
continue or renew it.
These are some of the more prominent measures
and doctrines which we believe it becomes our
party to carry out and though there may be others
which should demand the attention of our repre-
sentatives in both State and General Government,
yet we have sufficient confidence in the integrity,
ability and craftsmanship of those who have re-
ceived our suffrages. to believe that they will lend
all their energies to making our people happy as
well as intelligent, and give wise and benefcent
laws.