Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-09-01
tive American body, whose duly constituted
representatives we are.
PRINCIPLES.

can ever become thoroughly imbued with the
essence and spirit Of another system essen
TALLY different in character.
That no man can eradicate, entirely, the
preiudces and attachments associated with
the land of his BIRTH so rs TO become u per-
fectly safe depository for political trust, in
any other country
That the obligation Of an oath Of fealty to
foreign nation has been decided, by every
| civilized nation but our own, TO be ofseconda-
ry power, when brought into collision with
the natural iealty due to the native land.
And, although, we have as yet no decision of
this question in our own Supreme Court all
precedents bearing on the subject lead US to
anticipate similar conclusion there
! And, therefore, that the elective franchise,
which is the primary and fundamental ele-
ment of popular sovereignty, can only be en-
tirely secure when held exclusively in the
hands of natives OF the soil.
But, in consideration of the present and
previous policy of our government, we are
willing at present, TO extend, as boon, to
| all peaceful aud wel-disposed strangers here
after settling among u.s. not only every sccu-
rity enjoyed by the native in the protection
of person, property, and the legal pursuit of
happiness, but also the right of suffrage,
uroN THE SAME TERMS AS THOSE IMPOSED IRON
THE NATIVES, namely, legally authenticated
| residence of at least twenty-one years within
the limits of the country.
We advocate such an amendment TO the
Constitution Of the United States as may be
necessary to preclude the votes of persons
not legally citizens of the United States, in
the choice of national representatives or
delegates from the several states and terri
tories.
We stand pledged in the exercise of our
constitutional right, Of selecting those caudi-
dates for Office whom we esteem most capa
bic and best informed, to cOnfine our poiti-
cal nominations to the American born citizens
OF the United States, including such foreign
born citizens only, rs may have been parties
TO the Federal Constitution at the time of its
| adoption.
! We solemnly protest against all inter-
mingling of national policy with the local
! policy of particular states, on questions in
| rolvng the reserved rights of those states.
! We hold that all minor questions Of eX-
! pediency in legislating upon subjects un-
connected with the fundamental structure Of
the goyernment-such as fiscal and COM
mercial regulations, the management of the
public domain and the proceeds therefrom,
etc, belong, by right, to the representatives
Of the people, and those of the several states,
to be by them discussed and decided, from
time to time, after mature argument, under
the constitutional responsibility ofthose pub
lie agents-euch to his own proper constitu-
ency and to the country and that the adOp-
ton Of any previous test or determination
upon such questions, by any national party,
degrades it into faction, and by leading to
final decision before argument obstructs the
course Of rational legislation. lfit be asked
what measures of public import we most
favor as party We answer, all that stand
high as American measures, IN contracts
unction TO foreign. Native agriculture We
cherish trst--naiiye industry, first and last,
iu every branch of rade-art-ingenuity--
mechanics-and invention. We aim at the
independence Of our country in all things
moral, intellectual, physical, aud political
in works of the hand as well as works OF the
head-in manual labor and in mental sagaci-
ty. We desire TO make our government
what our fathers designed it should be, and
witness native statesmen in preventative
industry triumphant over foreign abor-and
native hearts announcing America emanci-
pated from all the world.
We advocate such an amendment OF the
Constitution of the United States as shall
reconcile its letter with its spirit, on the sub
ject of executive appointments, rendering all
officers commissioned by and with the consent
the Senate, incapable Of removal except by
and with the like consent.
We recommend TO the native Americans
of the several states, a prompt resistance to
all sectariun intermeddling with politics ol
political institutions come from what source
soever it may the absolute freedom Of re-
ligous opinion being the corner stone oi
American civilization.
We also recommend to the native Ameri.
nf 4 ba lCta ban nj fns arin nu
and Improvement Of local institutions for
public Instruction, TO be supported at the
public expense, without which, government
Of the people must speedily become govern
meut Of ignorance and probable depruyity
We also recommend to the native Ameri-
cans of the several states, in their systems o'
education full recognition Of the Bible, as
Divine authority for the rights Of man, as
well as for the separation of Church and
State, on which depends so essentially the
pursuit of happiness and freedom of con-
science To the Bible we are indebted fol
the wand that broke the sceptre of tyrants
and crumbled to atoms the Church and
State deSpotisms Of those potentates, who
associate religion with their political systems
who degrade the people in order to rule
them, and uterdlct education ana knowledge
among the masses. lest intelligence shoul,
inform them OF thelf rights, instruct lueH
how to break aSuuder their bonds, and ris'
to the true dignity Of God-created freedom
When the ambition of kings projected th'
slavery of the people, they locked up th'
Bible, and invested themselves with th'
: attributes of Divinity. A divine right L
euslave was admitted when the human righ
was denied Hence in all arbitrary govern
: ments, the State is Incorporated with th'
Church. under the monstrous paradox tina
man, in the possession of his natural rights
is incompetent to selfgovernment. The
reading of the Bible among the people ex
ploded this doctrine and the native Ameri
cans defend it, and will continue to delenC
it, against all foreign aggression, as necessary
to freedom of conscience, and the equal rght'
Of man
Having thus completed an outline OF th'
principles and policy advocated by the native
American political party, as national party
we call upon every true friend of his country
TO rally under one standard, beforei becomes
too late we invite the assistance of every
adopted citizen of sufficient intelligence tc
perceive his own real interest, and that o.
his posterity. Warning with no particular
sect attacking no particular nation-regard
less of the spleen of pre-existing parties-w6
are gathering TO the combat In opposition tC
, that foreign influence, and those abuses O.
party spirit, which were so ably foretold by
Washington and Jefferson. Invoking Hea