Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-05-31
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
We whose names are hereunto subscribed, citi-
zens of these United States, and members of
great republican family, feeling solicitors with re-
gard to our liberties, in consequence OF the exist
ence in our midst of certain political secret organ
izaons having in part for their object the election
of men to rule over us, without our knowledge or
consent concealng the names Of their candidates
in many instances until the day of election, allow
ing US opportunity to inquire into their qualif-
cations to serve us, and believing that such secret
organizations are contrary to the spirit of the coz
sttution of the United States, and dangerous to
our liberties, therefore have
Resolved, That the just powers of the Govern
ment are derived from the governed, and that Sc
crety elected officers have DO just right to rule over
the minority whose will had not been consulted
with regard to the selection of said officers.
ResOlred, That religious test shall ever be re-
quired as a qualification to any Office or public
trust under the United Ststes
tResolUed That the JeHersonian standard of quail
-iseation for Office is the only true one: Is be
houest--is be capable"
Resolved That the constitution of the United
States and tie increasing intelligence of the people
through the instrumentality of the printing press
is sufficient protection against anti-republican in
huence.
ResolUed That the diffusion of information and
arragnment of all abuses at the bar of public rea-
son, freedom of religion and freedom of the press
having won our liberties, we rely upon them as
the only means of perpetusting our freedom.
RESOLVED, That the patriotic and sanguine hopes
of Washington, respecting the political felicity of
this country, should not prove abortive, that this
western world may prove an asylum to the perse-
cuted of all nations, and that Union should be
preserved for the sake of those who are seeking
dwelling in our land.
Resolved That we look upon an oath of allegi-
ance to sect party as calculated to trammel the
freedom of thought and the free expression of
opinion.
Resolred, That we consider it q sound political
maxim that an ''oath-bound party man is unfit for
Office" as he will in most cases be biased by preju-
dice, and incapable OF doing justice to his oppo-
nents.
ReSdlced, That the indiscriminate adherence to-a
secret party is of the worst features in the sit
nation of country, it encourages the leaders
of said party to proceed to extremities and to
adopt violent and pernicious measures which the
good sense of their followers may reprobate but
from which they have not often fortitude enough
to withhold their support.
Resoiced, That we believe in the efficacy of the
doctrines herein set FORTH and that they constitute
the esaence of a purely republican government and
that we will tolerate what we conceive to be error
Of opiuion so long as we have the privilege of
testing them at the bar of public reason.
Reso7Ued, That we harbor no hostile feelings to-
wards our neighbors and others, who have impru-
IDENTIFY 1--WE think) taken an oath of allegiance to
the party now known as the Know Nothing +"
pirty, and that we hope they will ere long be
convinced of their error and cut loose from party
shackles and declare themselves treemen in fact
fit subjects for enjoying the land Of the free and
the home of the brave.
Resolred, That the object of this preamble and
resolutions is to give to those who desire it an OPP
portunfty to record their names in opposition to
oathbc und secret political organizations, thereby
screening themselves in future from the stigma
which will inevitably attach itself to the secret
KNoaC-NotE.Hg order, and to give to those of the
order who are disposed to withdraw an opportuni-
ty to record their names also in opposition to it,
and th ereby screen themselves from an odiuna
which we are confident will ultimately befal them.