The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-11-30
PL A t F O r M
American Party Of Maine,
Aporrrp ny TIE STATE Council,
A, Augusta, November s7.., 1855.

AZ Augusta, Nsvember s1ih, 1855.
1. An essential Modification Of the natursliza.
ton laws, by extending the time OF the probation
OF the foreigner.
2. Stringent penalties against the fraudulent
transfer Of naturalization papers, and such q de.
sciplion Of the peculiaritics of the peson natu.
ralized as shall render such transfer iInpossible.
3. Opposition to all attempts to establish for
eign military or political organizations io perpetu'
ate old national prejudlces; but encouragement
to such policy as shall tend TO assinilaic The for
eign population, n sentiment and feeling, with the
mass OF American citizens.
T. Efficient laws TO prevent the deportation oil
criminals and paupers, by foreign authorities, "a
secuted and oppressed Of every cline.
j. The withholding Of grave diplomatic and
political trusts, from person. OF foreign birth.
Q. TIE right 10 worship God socording 10 the
dictates of ones conscience, 10 be preserved invi.
o.aie. Resistance TO any poliiicoeclesiasica hi.
erarchy, which, through its agents, be they pope,
bishops, or priests, who attempt TO invade this
right, or acquire political powers. Hence, we nc.
buke oil attempts TO appropriate the public funds
10 the establishment OF sectarian schools, oil al.
tempts To exclude the bible rs text book, the 70.
from, and all attempts 10 wrest from the lsiy and
give 10 the priesthood the control OF church prop.
eriy We also rebuke In indignant terms, such
sentiments rs these, put forth by the representa-.
lives OF the papal po yer. That Professionalism
has no rights In the presence Of Catholicism, that
religious liberty is only TO he endured until the
opposite can be established with safety TO the
Catholic world, and that the Catholics Of Amer
lea are bound {, abide by the Interpretation put
upon the Constitution OF the United States by The
Pope oi BOmc'
I. That the Bible as the source and fountain OF
all true aud rational liberty, should be made the
basis OF sll popular education, and should be open
10, and In the hands OF every man, woman, and
child. And the man or men who may attempt
directly or indirectly TO shut il out Of our schools
or TO keep Il IRON the hands and hearts Of our peo
Pile or any portion OF them, should be deemed
guilty OF u crime against society, and Of treason
against liberty itself.
Upon the questions now agi,ating the country,
we declare,
I. That the action Of the legislative, execu.
tive aud judicial departments Of the government
ought to be controlled by the principle, taught by
trainers and purest interpreters Of the Constltu.
tion,-lhat "lreedom Is national and slavery sec.
tional."
2. That repose for the country and stability 10
the Union, must he sought by relieving the gener.
al government, so tar as Its jurisdiction extends
Of all connection wih-and responsibility for
American slavery.
3. That the Independence and sovereignty Of
the State, IN its legislation and judiciary, should
he maintained involaie.
4. That the repeal Of the Missouri Comprom.
Use was gross violation OF national faith, and
that no State erected from any part Of the terri.
tory consecraied to freedom by that compact,
ought ever TO be admitted into the Union as a
slave State.
-. That the rights Of actual settlers IN the Ter.
riiories 10 tile free aud undsiurbed exercise OF
their electoral franchise, granted 10 them nv ibe
laws under which they are organized, should be
prom lily protected by the national executive
whenever threatened or violated
We learn also that the following resolution was
adopted:
. Rssolrsd, That 10 the judgment OF the State
Council, all forms Of initiation IN the admission of
a member to the order, should be discontinued |:
the condition simply being required TO sign The
constitution, and pledge himself 10 secrecy IN re-
gard To the Transactions OF the council nom n
being understood that sub-counoils are at liberty
70 iofm SUCH regulations ranging from the above,
as they may think proper Tor their own govern.
ment.