Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-06-22
The Know.NothIng Convention.

Conventions to assemble in Philadelphia, to nominate
a candidate for President and Vice. President The
delegates are to be selected by the State Councils
and each State is to have the number of lis vote IN
the electoral colleges.
The last act of the convention was the passage of
a resolution condemnatory of the present admins
tration
The next session is to be held in the city of New
York nm the first Tuesday in June next.
The following is the Platform and Principles "
adopted by the convention
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES
1.-The acknowledgment of that Almighty Being
who rules over the Unverse-who presides over the
councils of naons-who conducts the affairs OF men,
and who, in every step by which we have advanced
to the character of independent nation, has DIS
tinguished US by some token of provldentlal agen-
cy. 4:
ment profoundly intense American feeling; OF pas
sionate attachment to our country, It's history ana lis
institutions of admiration for the purer days OF our
national existence OF veneratlon Tor the neroisn
that precipitaed our revolution and of emulation
of the virtue, wisdom, and patriotism that framed
our constitution and first successfully applied its pro-
visions.
UI-The maintenance of the union of these Uni
ted States as the paramount political good or, to
use the language of Washington, Il the primary OBJ
iect of patriotic desire" And hence:
1st Opposition to all attempts 10 weaken or sub
vert it.
3D. Uncompromising anita gonism to every principle
of policy that endangers it. ,
Sd. The adequacy of an equitable adjustment OF all
political differences which threaten its integrity or
perpetuity.
4th The suppression of all tendencies to political
divisions founded on geographical determinations
or on the belief that there is real difference of in
terests and views between the various sections OF
the Union
9Th. The full recognition of the rights of the sew
era States as expressed and reserved in the Consti-
tuition and careful avoidance, by the general gov
ernment of all interference with their rights by legs-
lative or executive action.
IV--Obedience 10 the constitution of these United
States, the supreme law of the land, sacredly obi
gatory upon all lis parts and members and steadfast
resistance to the spirit of innovation upon its prncI-
piles, however specious the pretexts. Avowng that
in all doubtful disputed points 1t may only be le-
gally ascenained and expounded by the judicial pow
er of the United States
And, as a corollary to the above:
/. A habit of reverental obedience to the laws,
whether rational, State municipal, until they are
either repealed or declared unconstitutional by the
proper authority.
2. tender and sacred regard for those acts of
craftsmanship which to be contra distinguished
from of ordinary legislation by the fact of their
being of the nature OF compacts and agreements; and
so, 10 be considered fixed and settled national pol
icy.
VA radical revision and modification of the laws
regulating immigration, and the settlement of imm-
grants Offering to the honest immigrant who, from
love of liberty or haired OF oppression, seeks an asy
lum in the United States, a friendly reception and
protection. But unqualifedIy condemnng the trans
mission TO our shores, of feons and raupers.
VI.-The essential modification of the naturalza-
ton laws. The repeal by the legislatures of the res
pectve States of all State laws allowing foreigners
not naturalized to vote. The repeal, without retro
active operation, of all acts of Congress, making
grants of land to unnaturalized foreigners, and allow
ing them to vote in the territories
Vll.-Hostility to the corrupt means by which the
leaders of party have hitherto forced upon us our
rulers and political creeds. Implacable eEmitY
against the present demoralzing system of rewards
for political subserviency and of punishments for
political independence. Disgust for the wild hunt
after office which characterizes the age.
These on the one hand. On the other
Imitation of the practice of the purer days of the
republic; and admiration of the maxim that " Office
should seek the man, and not the Office" and of
the rule that the just mode of ascertanng fitness for
office is the capabity, the fahfuness, and the hon.
esty of the incumbent or candidate.
VIlI.-Resstance to the aggressive policy and cor
upng tendencies of the Roman Catholic Church in
or country By the advancement TO all political sta
tons executive, legislative judicial diplomatic
| OF those only who do not hold civil allegiance, di
reetly or indirectly, TO any foreign power, whether
civil or ecclesiastical, and who Americans by
birth, education and training thus fulfilling the
maxim, "Americans only shall govern America
The protection of all citizens in the legal and proper
exercise of their civil and religious rights and priv
eges; the maintenance of the right of every man to
the full unrestrained and peaceful enjoyment of his
own religious opinions and worship and Jealous re-
sistance of all attempts by any Sect denomination
eli urch to obtain an ascendancy any other in
the State by of any special privileges or ex-
empuon, by any political combination, of its mem.
bers, by division of their civil allegiance with
any foreign power, potentate or ecclesiastc.
IX-The reformation Of the character of our Ma
tional Legislature, by elevatng to that dgniied and
responsible position men of higher qualifications pu.
rer morals, and more unselfsh patriotism.
X.-Ihe restriction of executive patrOnage-espe-
clay In the matter of appointments to ofhce-so far
as it may be permitted by the Constitution. and
sistent with the public good
XI-The education of the youth of our country
in schools provided by the State which schools shall
be common to all, without distinction of creed or
party, and free from any influence or direction of
denominational or partizan character. And, mas
much, as Christianity by the constitutions of nearly
all the Staes by the decisions of the most eminent
judicial authorities; and by the consent of the PEG.
pie OF America, is considered element of our DO.
tlcal system, and as the Holy Bible is at once the
source of Christianity, and the depository and foun-
tam OF all civil ard elgious freedom, we oppose ev-
cry attempt to exclude il from esIab
iehUd III the States.
All-lhe American party having arisen upon the
RUNS and IN spite of the opposition of the Wing and
Democratic party, cannot be held in any manner re-
sponslbe for the obnoxious acts or violated pledges
OF either. And the systematic agitation of the sla-
very question by those parties having elevated sec
tional hostility into positive element of political
power and bToIght our institutions into peril it has
therefore become the imperative duty of the Amer-
can party TO interpose, for the purpose of giving
peace to the country and perpetuity to the Union
AND as experience has shown it impossible to recon-
Gle opinions so extreme those which separate the
dsputans, and there can be no dishonor in sub
hitting to the laws, the National Council has deemed
1t the best guarantee OF common justice and of fu-