Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-06-21

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the several States, as expressed and reserved
in the Constitution; and CAREFUL avoidance,
by the General Government, of all interfer-
ence with their rights by legislative or ex-
ecntive action. ..
W.-Obedience to the Constitution Of the
United States, as the supreme lav of the
land, sacredly obligatory upon all its parts
and members; and steadfast resistance to
the spirit of innovation upon its principles,
however specious the pretexts. Avowing
that in all doubtful or disputed points 1t may
only be legally ascertained and expounded
by the Judicial power of the United States.
And, as a corollary to the above;
/. A habit of reverei tial obedience to the
laws, whether National, State. or Municipal,
until they are either repealed or declared un-
constitutional by the proper authority.
| Q. A tender and sacred regard for those
acts Of craftsmanship, which are to be contra
distinguished from acts Of ordinary legisa-
tion, by the fact of their being of the nature
of compacts and agreements; and SO, to be
considered a fixed and settled national policy.
! VA radical revision and modification of
the laws regulating immigration, and the set
tlement of immigrants. Offering to the honest
immigrant who from love of liberty or hatred
of oppression, seeks an asylum in the United
States, a friendly reception and protection.
But unquaifedly condemng the transmission
to our shores, Of felons and paupers.
! VI.-The essential modification of the
! Naturalization Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures of the re-
spective States, of all State laws allowing
foreigners not naturalized to vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation,
Of all acts Of Congress making giants of land
to unnaturalized foreigners, g. allowing them
to vote in the Territories.
VII.-Hostiliy to the corrupt means by
which the leaders Of party have hitherto forc-
ed upon us our rulers and our political creeds.
Implacable enmity against the prevalent
demoraliziDg system Of rewards for political
subserviency, and of punishments for poll
+, tical independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office which
characterzes 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 "ofice should seek the man, and
not a man the office" and of the rule that
the just mode OF ascertain:ng fitness Lfor Of
i fee is the capability, the faithfulness, ant
: the honesty of the incumbent or candidate
u VII.-Resistance to the aggressive policy
II and corrupting tendencies of the Roman
II Catholic Church iL our country by the ad
. vancement to all political stations--execu
o tive, legislative, judicial or diplomatic-o
e those only who do not hold civil allegiance
las inrtr Ia, 60 hty f<Tat i'm
't whether civil or ecclesiastical, and who arr
9 Americans by birth. education and training
thus fulfilling the maxim, "Americans onl!
o shall govern America"
Q The protection of all citizens in the lega
and proper exercises of their civil and reli
o gious rights and privileges; the maintenance
! of the righ, of every man to the lfull, unre
strained and peaceful enjoyment of his owl
/ religious opinions and worship, and jealou
v resistance o. all attempts by any sect. de
nomination or church to obtain an ascen
dancy over any other in the state, by mean
of any special privileges or exemption, b.
l. any political combination of its members, o
by division of their civil allegiance will
any foreign power, potentate or ecclesiastical
o IX.-The reformation of the character o
/. our National Legislature, by elevating TO tina
~ dignified ard responsible position men Q
higher qualifications, purer morals, and NOR
"a unselfsh patriotism.
II The restriction Of executive patronage, =
!. especially in the matter of appointments I
N office $50 far as il may be permitted by tn
r. Constitution. and consistent with the publ
a good.
h X.--The education. of the youth of OF
IS country in schools provided by tke State
4 which schools shall be common to all, with
out distinction of creed or party, and FIRE
j.. from any influence or direction OF den ON
: national or partizan character.
q And, inasmuch as Christianity by the Con
!. stitutons of nearly all the States; by tn
decisions of the most eminent judicial al
thorities, and by consent of the people G
: America, is considered an element Of on
a political system; nd as the Holy Bible is Q
v once the source of Christianity, and the de
"a pcsitory AMI fountain Of all civil and religisu
ia freedom, we oppose every attempt to excluo
"a it from the school thus established in tn
States.
ir XII.-The american party having arise
IN upon the ruins and in spite Of the oppositio
,e of the Wing and Democratic parties, canne
TO be held in any manner responsible for tn
al opinions acts or violated pledges OF either.
lis And the systematic agitation Of the SLAYER
of question by those parties having elevate
sectional hostility into a positive element
h, political power, and brought our institution
~ into peril, it has therefore become the impel
ative duty Of the Americtn party to inte
he pose of giving peace to the country and pc
m petuity to the Union. And as experient
has shown ii impossible to reconcile opinion
y, SO extreme us those which separate the di
- putants, and us there can'be no dshonor
submitting to the laws, the National Counc
" has deemed it the best guarantee Of commc
10 justice and future peace, to abide by al
10 maintain the existing laws upon the subje
" Of slavery, as final aid conclusive sttl
ne ment of that subject, in spirit ard in substanc
s, And regarding it lthe highest duty to avo
al their opinions upon subject so importan
in distinct and unequivocal terms, it is her
by declared as the sense of this Nation
la