Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-03-31
BASIS PRINCIPLES OF THE AMERI-
CAN PARTY OF VIRGINIA..


Determined TO preserve our political insiiin-
lions in their original purity and vigor, and to
keep them unaduterated aud unimpaired by for
eigu influence, either civil or religious, as well
by home faction as by home demagoguism and
believing that an American pulley, religious,
political and commercial, is necessary for the
attainment Of these ends, we shall observe, and
carry ont in practice, the following principles
|. That the suhrages Of the American peo-
pie, for political Offices, should not be given TO
any other than those born on our soil, and rear
ed and matured under the influence of our in
situations.
o That no foreigner ought 10 be allowed 10
exercise the elective franchise ill he shall have
resided in the United States sufficient length
of time 10 enable him 10 become acquainted
with the principles and imbucd with the spirit
Of our institutions, and until he shall have he
come thoroughly identified with the great inter
esis of our county
1 ,. That while no obstacle should be inter
posed to the immigration of all foreigners Of
honest aud industrious habits, and all privileges
and immun,ies enjoyed by any native born cit
zen Of our country should be extended to all
such Immigrants, except that of participating
in any Of our political administrations, yet all
legal means should be adopted to obsiruct and
prevent the immigration of the vicious and
worthless, the criminal and pauper.
4. That the American doctrine Of religious
! federation, and entire absence Of all proscrip-
ton for opinions sake, should be cherished as
one of the very fundamental principles Of oui
civil freedom, and that any sect or party that
believes and maintains that any foreign power
religious or political, has the right to control
the conscience or direct the conduct Of free
man, occupies position which is totally at wal
with the principle of freedom Of opinion, and
which is mischevous in its tendency, and which
principle, if carried into practice, would prove
wholly destructive of our religious and civil
liberty.
s. That the Bible in the hands Of every free
citizen, is the only permanent basis Of all true
liberty and genuine equality.
6. That the intelligence Of the people is nee
essary to the right use and the continuance o.
our liberties, civil and religious; hence III,
propriety and importance of the promotion ant
fostering of all means of moral and intellectual
culture, by some adequate and permanent pro
vision for general education.
7. That the doctrine of availability, now 81
prevalent and controlling, in the nomination o
candidates for Office, in total disregard Of al
principles Of right, Of truth, and Of justice. il
essentially wrong, and should be by all goo
men condemned.
8. That as a general rule, the same restric
tons should be prescribed TO the exercise Of til
power of removal from Office as arc made nee
essary to be observed in the power Of appoint
ment thereto and that executive influence an
; patronage should be scrupulously conferred an
jealousy guarded.
0. That the sovereignty Of the States shoal
be supreme in the exercise Of all powers no
expressly delegated to the federal government
and which NAV no, be necessary and proper I
carry ont the powers so delegated, and that thi
D principle should be observed and held sacred j
Z all organizations Of the American party.
u 10. That all sectarian intermeddling wit
: politics or political institutions, coming frol
l. whatever source it may, should be promptly II
! sisted by all such means as seem to be necess'
ry and proper for this end
6 IL. That whilst the perpeluiiy of the preset
81 form of the federal government Of the Unite
u States is actually necessary for the proper d.
veopment of all the resources of this country
l. yet the principles of non-intervention, both {
IS the part of the federal government and of Il
n several States Of the Union, in the municp
e affairs of each other, is essential to the peat
and prosperity Of our country, and to the we
81 being and permanence of our institutions. an
y at the same time, the only reliable bond
T. brotherhood and union.
l2. That red republicanism and lcentious j
'e diligence in the enjoyment of civil priyileg
Il are as much to be feared and deprecated by .
l. friends to well regulated government and tn
a. liberty as any of the forms Of monarchy al
l. despotism.
er 10. That the true interests and welfare
Is this country, the honor Of this nation, the int
,e vidual and private rights of its citizens, co
d. spire to demand that all other questions arisil
from party organizations, or from any 9th
to source, should be held subordinate to any
ut practice made to yield to the great prncipl
e. herein promulgated,
The FINEST OF LAscvAGE.--The Washin