Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-14


end Il viii insist upon strict construction OF the
Constitution Of the United States in accordance
with the true intent and meaning OF that instru-
ment, as expounded by its authors, and as sane
toned by the most approved opinion of the country
Upon the full acknowledgement and due preser-
walton Of the rights Of the States, expressed and
reserved in the constitution; and tho careful
avoidance by the general government and by each
of the States respectively, of interference with the
rights of either by Legislative or executive action
Upon the faithful performance by the general
government, by every State, and by every puphc
iunctionary Of each, Of all duties enjoined upon
either by the Constitution OF the unted states,
the same extent the American party also pieuses
itself TO suppress as far as u mas tne Powe', ~
tendencjes 10 political division founded on geo
graphical position, to rebuke oil agitation upon
topics Of dangerous import to the peace and har-
mony of the Union to check the efforts OF selfish
and designing politicians to create dlssensions Dy
appeals to local interests prejudices ofclass The
purpose and desire Of the party being to ZEN
courage and establish broad and paramount SEN
timent of national loyalty thoroughly American In
character and sufficiently powerful to protect the
Union against all sectional hostility.
g. Resolved, That the American party regard IT
as tho policy Of the government 70 exercise Its
power to secure the prosperity OF every American
interest, and to give the most ample scope to the
Ingenuity and industry Of American citizens In
every lawful pursuit that TO accomplish this It IS
lis duty to give all aid compatible with the power
vested in 1t. to internal and external commerce,
by improving the navigation Of rivers by adapting
the national ha ,ors both on the lakes and the sea
coast to the protection and convenience OF ship
ping and by promoting the construction Of ma
tonal roads for REORGANIZATION between the
oceans which bound the territories CT the Union.
TO encourage the development OF American &C.
MUS by due protection Of inventions, productions
Of art, and works Of literature and science 10
guard the industry Of the country against tho m
furious influence Of the adverse policy OF foreign
nations, and to secure, as far as may be done, IN
accordance with the powers conferred by the con-
stitution, the prosperity Of the American workman,
by giving him the preference in the supply Of the
work required by the country.
To maintain the public defence, by sufficient mil
tary and naval force and by an efficient system Of
fertilization and finally,
To administer the government with liberal
economy which shall supply nothing to wasteful
extrayagance--but all that is proper to the health
full development and progress OF great nation.
And a. the American party Is aware thar, IN the
a,,ies here enumerated, there will be different
views honestly entertained at different periods and
Ia different sections Of the country on the question
Of the best means Of securing some OF the endsp
noaed. we take the ground Of Congressional indie
pendence; that measures OF temporary poicy
which, from their very nature are constantly ana
variously affected, by the changing conditon ana
circumstances Of the nation, should be committed
10 the free decision Of the people, to be made III
accordance with their own sense OF what is bes
ADAPTED TO the wants Of each section OF the coun
try--,,ntralnmelled by the influence OF party dcta
ton: that the opirio of the constituency OF oaci
State 90 far as Senator'S in Congress are concerned
or Of each Congressional district, % lar az mem
bers Of the House are concerned, are the bes
oudas 10 the general estimate Of what is most con
ducive 10 the welfare Of all and that the action
Government should be conducted n spirit OF com
5rouise. directed to the establishment of that con
TENT which Is essential to the general prosperity.
We are especially induced IS a sf a. ss asc
ton, because we are not slion in the prosecution
and tut unconstitutional and reforming purposes,
should be impaired by dissensions arising out Of
differences OF opinion upon subjects their nature
transitory, and dependent upon the shifting con.
dition Of national expansion and growth of public
interests, and upon the details Of which entire una
ninity of view is scarcely possible
Q, Resolred, That we utterly condemn as obi.
GUS and un-American, the obvious abuse of Elk.
ecutive power and patronage, which for many
years past has moro and more found favor In the
administrations Of our governments, both Federal
and State The whole system afterwards and pun
ishments 10 unworthy OF free and independent
people We perceive in the practice to which It
has led, the most unnatural and demoralzing in
huence upon our population. 1t proscribes the
high-minded and independent citizen and puts
TIE obedent tool OF power In bis place; II de-
nounces the best men for a sincere love OF their
country it often prefers the foreigner to the native
citizen; and 1t corrupts the patriotism Of the
masses not less by destroying genuine American
sentiment Of Independence, than by stimulating
the people TO abandon the pursuits Of wholesome
industry for the sake Of the emoluments of Office
Il has thus brought an element into political con-
tests which, by appealing to selfish motives has
proved Itself sufficiently powerful to embro the
/ country in a perpetual strife for the benefit of
those who fatter and servo the appointing power
and who are impelled by cupidty more than by an
honest ambition In the discharge of their duty as
citizens.
We reject this principle aud practice, not only
for the reasons we have given, but also because we
deem II 70 be Of dangerous influence In enlarging
and strengthening the executive power. We have
had too many occasions TO observe this influence
employed in making war upon honest, independ-
ent and capable men, who have been found not
sufficiently plant to the executive win have seen
n too often cxerted to control the action OF the
ordinate departments OF government, and stil of
ensr 10 enforce servile submission, In all subordi-
mates, 10 the worst designs Of party leaders.
We believe, therefore, that an upright admins
trstion Of government demands that honest, fifth
fnl and capable public servants, at home and
abroad should fill places OF honor, profit and trust
that they should not be dismissed from employ
ment for the exercise Of a commendable independ-
snoe, 90 long rs by their conduct they shall not
impair the usefulness Of their service.
We believe fhstthe power Of appointment should
be exercised with scrupulous care to prevent the
patronage Of government from ever being brought
into conflict with the freedom OF election
And, finally, we believe that the dignity and
prosperity OF government arc most surely sustained
and promoted by wise and kindly liberation Of
honest difference Of opinion, and by the acknowl-
sdgment Of this right IS the true national Ameri-
can feeling.
10. Resolved That the American party, in re-
calling tho government Of the Union to the pin-
ciples Of lie founders, revert with aectionate
oern to the preceph Of Washington, the safest
and wisest guide, both for our foreign and domes-
dc policy, and 10 concurrence with these, adopt
his warning against all interventons In the affairs Of
foreign States, and especially la those Of European
MISUNDERSTANDING all demagogues Of every class
and name, who would lower the standard Of tried
moral and intellectual training for the high places
Of trust in the Republic; who would barter away
their birth-ights for the emoluments Of Office, or