Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-06-23

zeal division founded on geographical dissrm-
nations" or on the belief that there is real
difference of interests aud views" between the
various sections of the Union.
o. The recognition of the rights of the SOW
cral states as expressed and reserved in the
Constitution, and careful avoidance by tho
general government of all interference with their
rights by legislative or executive action.
". Obedience 10 the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States as the supreme law Of the land, sac
redy obligatory upon all its parts and members
and steadfast resistance TO the spirit Of innoya-
ton upon its principles, however specious the
preiexis Avowing that in all doubtful or dis
puied points it may only be legally asccrIained
and expoundcd by the judicial power oflhe Uni
ted States. And as corollary to the above
1. A habit or revercntill ubedeuce 10 the laws
whether national, state or municipal, until they
arc either repealed or declared unconstitutional
by tho proper authority.
.. A tender aud sacred regard for those acts
of craftsmanship which are to be conira-dislin-
puished from acts of ordinary legislation, by
the fact Of their being Of the nature Of compacts
and agreements and so to be considered fixed
and settled national policy
V. A radical revision and modification ofthe
laws regulating immigration and the settlement
of Immigrants. Offering to the honest imlnl-
grant, who from love of liberty or hatred ofop-
preston socks an asylum in the United States,
friendly reception and protection. But un-
quifedly condenning the transmission 10 our
shores Of iclons aud paupers.
VI. The essential modification Of the nat
uralizaiion laws. The repeal by the Legisa-
lures Of the respective states of all state laws
allowing foreigners not natnralzcd to voto.--
The repeal, without retroactive operation, OF
all acts of Congress making grants Of land to
unn aturalizcd foreigners, and allowing them 10
vote in tho territories.
VII. Hostility to the corrupt means by which
the leaders of party have hitherto forced upon
us our rulers and our political crecds lmpla-
cable enm,y against the present dcmoralizing
system of rewards for political subseryiency, and
1 - -. -. Tie
gust for tho wild hunt after Office which char
acterizes the age. These on one hand. On
the GENERALIZATION of the practice of the pur-
or days Of the republic and admiration of the
maxim that "oilice should seek the man, and
not man the Office" and of the rule that the Just
mode of asceriainng fitness for Office is the ca
pabiiIy, the iaithlulness and the honesty Of the
incumbent or candidate
VIII. Resistance 10 tho aggressive policy
and corrupiing tendencies Of the Roman Cath.
ole Church in our country, by The advancement
to all political slaiions--cxecutiyc legislative.
judicial or diplomatic--of those only who do
not hold civil allegiance, directly or indirectly,
to any foreign power, whether civil or ecclesi-
asiicle, and who are Americans by birth, cdu-
cation and training-ihus fulfilling the maxim,
AMERICANS ONLY SHALL GOVERN AMERICA.
The protection of all citizens in the legal and
proper exercise oftheir civil and religious rights
and privileges the maintenance Of the RICH,
Of every man 10 the full, unresiraincd and peace
fol enjoyment Of his own religious opinions and
worship, and Jealous resistance Of all attempts
by any sect, denomination or church to obtain
an ascendancy over any other in the state, by
mans Of any special privileges or exemption,
by any political combination of lis members, or
ny DIVISION " tiIvu -i,,t,s-..~-
foreign power, poicniate or ecclesiastic.
IN. The reformation of the character Of our
national Legislature, by eleyaiing TO that dig
nifed and responsible position men Of higher
qualifications, purer morals more unselfsh pat
rioism.
y. Tho restriction Of executive patronage,
especially in the matter Of appointments 10
Office SO far as i, may be permitted by the
Constitution, and consistent with the public
good
Xl. The education Of The youth of our country
in schools provided by the state which schools
shall DO common to all, without distinction of
creed or party, and free from any influence or
direction Of a denomnaional or partisan chara-
cler. Aud nasmuch as Christianity, by the
constitutions Of nearly all the states, by the de-
cisions of most eminent Judicial authorities, and
by the consent Of the people Of America, is
considered an element of our political system,
and as the Holy Bible is at once the scourco of
Christianity, and the depository and fountain of
all civil and religious freedom, we oppose every
attempt to exclude il from the schools thus os-
tablished in the states.
XII. Tho American party having arisen on
the ruins, and in spite OF the opposition Of the
Wing and Democratic parties, cannot be held
in any manner responsible for the obnoxious
acts or violated pledges of either and the sys-
iematic agitation OF the slavery question by those
parties having elevated sectional hostility into
positive element Of political power, and
brought our institutions into peril il has there
ioro become the imperative duty of the Ameri-
can party to inierpose, for the purpose of giving
peace to The country, and perpeiuity to the
Union and, as experience has shown il impos-
ihle to reconcile opinions so extreme as those
which separate tho disputants, and as there can
be no dishonor in submitting 10 the laws. the
National Council has deemed il the best guar
aniee of common justice, and Of future peace, TO
abide by and maintain the existing laws upon
The subject of slavery as final and conclusive
settlement of that subject, in spirit and in sub
stance.
And regarding il tho brightest duty to avow
their opinions upon a subject SO important in
distinct and unequiyoeal terms, il is hereby de-
clared as the sense ftbs National Council that
Congress possesses no power under tho Consti-
tuition TO legislature opon the subject Of slavery
In the states where il does or may exist. or 10