Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-06-23
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.

PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES
The acknowledgement Of that Almirh-
10 Being, who rules over the Universe-who
,,replt,rs over the Councils Of Nations-~who
rnndncts the affairs Of men, and who, in every
s,an nv which We have advanced tc the char
acter Of On Independent nation, has distn.
rnisbed us by some token of Ptovidential
agency. r
q sentiment Of profoundly intense American
feeling; of passionate attachment TO our
country, its history and its institutions; OF
admiration for the purer days of our National
existence of yencration for the hero.sm that
precipitated our Revolution aud ofemulation
of the virtue, wisdom and patriotism that
framed our Constitution and first successfully
applied its provisions.
fII.-The maintenance Of the Union of
these United States as the paramount politi-
cal good; or, to use the language of Washing
ton, "the primary objects Of patriotic desire"
And hence =
LIST. Opposition to all attempts to weaken
or subverit il.
I'd. Uncompromising antagonist to every
principle Of policy that endangers it.
3d. The advocacy of an equitable adjust
ment of all political differences which threat
ems its integrity or perpetuty.
4th. The suppression Of all tendencies to
political division, founded on geographical
determinations, or on the belief that there is
real difference of interests and views" be-
tweon the various sections Of the Union.
5th. The full recognition Of the rights Of
the several States, as expressed and reserved
In the Constitution; and d careful avoidance
by the general government of all interference
with their rights by legislative or executive
action.
IV.--ObedeEce the Constitution ofthese
United States, as the supreme law of the
land, sacredly obligatory upon all its parts
nnd members, and steadfast resistance to the
spirit of innovation upon its principles, how
over specious its pretexts. Avowing that in
all doubted or disputed points it may only
be legally ascertained and expounded by the
judicial power of the United States.
Aud.as a corollary to the above:-
l. A habit Of reverential obedience to the
laws, whether National State, or Municipal.
until they are either repealed or declared
unconstitutional by the proper authority.
2. A tender and sacred regard for those
acts Of craftsmanship, which are to be contra
distinguished from acts of ordinary legisla-
.ton, by the fact of their being Of the nature
o. compacts and agreements; and so, to be
considered a fixed and settlednational policy.
VA radical revision and modification Of
the laws regulating immigration, and the
settlement of ofimmigrants. Offering to the
honest immigrant, who from love Of liberty
or hatred Of oppression, seeks an ASYLUM i'll
the United States, friendly reception and
protection. But unqualifely condemning 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, or all State laws allowing
foseIgners not naturalized to vote.
The repeal without retroactive operation,
Of all acts of Congress making grants of land
TO unnaturalized foreigners, and allowing
them to vote in the Territories.
VII-Hostility to the corrupt means by
which the leaders Of party have hitherto
forced upon us our rulers and our political
creeds.
Implacable enmity against the present
demoraizing system of rewards for political
subserviency and Of punishments for political
independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after Office which
sharacterizes the age.
These on the one hand. Or the other
Imitation of the practice of the purer days
OF the Republic aid admiration Of the max
i'm that "ofice should seek the man, and not
man the Office" and of the rule that the just
mode of ascertaining fitness for Office is the
capability, the fathluln'ss, and the honesty
of the incumbent or candidate.
VIlI.-Resistance to the aggressive policy
and corrupting tendencies of the Roman
Catholic Church in our country by the adj
vancement to all political lstations-executive,
legislative, judicial or diplomatic-of those
only who do not hold civil allegiance, directly
or indirectly to any foreign power, whether
civil or ecclesiastical, and who are Americans
by birth, education and training thus full
filling the maxim ".1mericans only shall gor-
ern dmericd."
The protection OF all citizens in the legal
md proper exercise of their civil and reli-
giOus rights and privileges; the maintenance
Of the right of every man to the full, unrc-
strained and peaceful enjoyment of his own
religious opinions and worship, and jealous
resistance of all attemps, by any sect, denom-
inatiOn or church, to obtain an ascendancy
over any other in the State, by means of any
special privileges or exemption, by any polit-
ical combination of its members, ora division
Of their civil allegiance with any foreign pow
or, potentate or eeclesiastic.
IX.-The reformation of the character of
our National Legislature, by elevating to that
dignfed and responsible position men Of
higher qualifications, purer morals, and more
unsel6sh patriotism
Al vi tASCullNc pitfOt-
age-especially in the matter of appoint
ments to ofiice-so far as it may be permitted
by the Constitution, and consistent with the
public good.
XI.SThe education of the youth of our
country in schools provided by the State /;
which schools shall be common to all, with
out distinction of creed or party, and free
from any influence of direction Of u denomi-
national of partizan character.
And, inasmuch as Christianity by the Con-
stitutions of nearly all the States; by the
directions of the most eminent judicial au-
thorites and by the consent OF the people
OF America is considered an element OF our
political system, aaG as the Holy Bible is at
once the source OF Christianity, and the de-
pository and fountain of all civil and relig
ions freedom, We oppose every attempt to ex-
clude it from the Schools thus established in
the States.
XII.-The American party having arisen
upon the ruins and in spite OF the opposition
Of the Wing and Democratic parties, cannot
be held in any manner responcible for the
obnoxious acts or violated pledges OF either.
And the Systematic agitation OF the Slavery
question by those parties having, elevated
seetioual hostility into positive element OF
political poser and brought our institutions
II Il bas thorafora naeoma the i'm