The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-04-14
Platform Of the Native American Party In
Virginia.

Platform Of the Native American Party In
Virginia.
Below, we publish the platform of the Ameri-
can party in Virginia, confident that the prin-
ciples therein set forth will meet with the appro-
baton Of every true lover Of his country:
!: That the sufrages of the American people for
political offices should not be given to any other than
those born on our soil, and reared and matured under
the Influence of our institutions
z. That no foreigner ought to be allowed to exer-
else the elective franchise, till he shall have resided
within the United States a sufficient length of time
to enable him to become acquainted with the princi-
pies and imbsed with the spirit of our institutions.
and until he shall have become thoroughly identified
with the great interests of our country.
3. That while no obstacle should be interposcd to
me immigration OF all foreigners of honest and indus
trious habits, and all privileges and immunities ell
JoIyed by any native born citizens of our country
should be extended to all such immigrants, except
that OF participating in any of our political admins
trations yet all legal means should be adopted to OBJ
struct and prevent the immigration of the vicious and
worthless, the criminal and pauper.
4. mat the dmeffcan doctrine Of religious tolera-
tion, and entire absence Of all prescription for opin-
ions sake, should be cherished as one of the very
principles of our civil freedom, and that
any sect or party which believes and maintains that
any foreign power, religious or political, hasthe right
to control the conscience or direct the conduct Of a
free man, occupies q position which is totally at war
with the principle Of freedom Of opinion, and which
j. j. ! nls!i in its tendency, and which principle,
tive OF our religious and civil liberty.
O.. That the Bible, in the hands Of every free cit.
zen, is the only permanent basis of all true liberty
and genuine equality.
6. That the intelligence of the people is necessary
to the right use and the continuance of our liberties,
civil and religious, hence the ~propriety and impor-
lance Of the promotion and fostering of all means of
moral and intellectual culture by some adequate and
permanent provision for general education.
Z. That the doctrine Of availability, now 30 pre-
yaient and controlling, in the nomination of candi-
dates for Office, in total disregard of all principles of
rlght, OF truth, and Of justice, is essentially wrong,
and should be by all good men condemned.
.. mat, as q general rule, the same restrictions
should be prescribed to the exercise of the power of
removal from Office, as are made necessary to be OBJ
served IN the power appointment thereto; and that
executive influence and patronage should be scrupu-
loasly conferred and jealousy guarded.
3. That the sovereignty Of the States should be
supreme in the exercise Of all powers not expressly
delegated to the Federal Government, and which may
not be necessary and proper to carry out the powers
30 delegated, and that this principle should be oh.
served and held sacred in all organizations Of the
American party.
10. That all ~sectarian intermeddling with politics
or political institutions, coming from whatever source
1t may, should be promptly resisted by all such means
as seem a., to be necessary and proper for this end. y
- 1naG Willie tne perpelulty OF the present form
OF the Federal Government Of the United States is
actually necessary for the proper development Of all
the resources of this country, yet the principle Of non
Intervention both on the part Of the federal Govern.
ment and OF the several states of the Union, in the
municipal affairs of each other, is essential to the
peace and prosperity of our country, and to the we'll
being and permanence of our institutions, and at tile
same time the only reliable bond of brotherhood and
union.
70. That Red Republicanism and ~licentious indul.
Dnnna II Tho onfnNvrnnp$ n 8 ot"s1 u.r,s1-- ---
much to be feared and deprecated, by ali friends TO
well regulated government and true liberty, asany Of
the forms Of monarchy and despotism.
Ii. That the true interests and welfare of this
country, the honor of this nation, the individual and
private rights Of its citizens, conspire to demand that
all other questions arising from party organizations,
or from any other source, should be held subordinate
to any in practice, and made to yield to the great
principles herein promulgated.