American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-12-29

BY The National Council at PHILADELPHIA.
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.
]. The acN ,owledgemen, Of tlat Almigh.
ty Being. who rules over the Universe who |
presides over the Councils OF Ns,ons-who |
con suc,s the affairs OF men, and who, in e.
very step by which we have advanced to the !
character oi an independent nation, has dis |
h"guished US By some token Of Providentai |
agency. .a- ... . ...E..f
II. The cultivation AMI Development, Of |
sentiment OF profoundly intense American |
iceingi OF passionate attachment Ia our
county, its history and its institutions: of
admiration for the purer days Of our nation
al existence; OF venera,ion for the heroism
that precipitated our Revolution and OF EN-.
ula,ion for the virtue, wisdom aud patriot
ism that framed our Constitution and first
successfully applied it's provisions.
Ill. The maintenance Of the Union of
these United States as the paramount politi-
Cal good; or To use lhe language of Washing.
dtn, ''the primary object Of patriotic desiie."
And hence: ....... ...
LIST, Opposition 10 all attempts to weaken
or subver it.
End. Uncompromising an,agonism TO ev-
cry principle OF policy tha, endangers it,
81. The advocacy Of al equitable adjust.
ment of all political differences which thtea.
lSnS ils integrity or pcIpetuUy.
4ih. The suppression of all tendencies TO
it0policat visions, founded on "gcogruphi-
cal Determinations. or on the belief that
there is real difference of interests and
views between the various sections Of the
Union.
9th. The full recognition OF the rights OF
the several States, as expressed aud reserved
in The Constitution, and a careful avoidance,
by the General Government, oi all intcrer-
enee with the rights by legislative or cX-
ecu,ive action.
Nv. Obedience to the Constitution Of
these United States, as the supreme law of
the land, sacredly obligatory upon all its
parts and members; and steadiasl resistance
10 the spirit OF innovation upon lis principles,
however specious the preteS,s Avnwin9
that in all doubtful ov disputed points it may
only be legally ascerlained and exp"unded
by the Judicial power of the United States
And as coroiary to TIE ubovc:-
habit Of reverenIial obedience TO the
laws, whether National, State, or Munici-
pal until they are either repealed or declar-
ed unconstitutional by the proper authority
2. A tender and sacred regard Tor those
acts OF stateSmanship, which are tn be con-
tradistngushed from acts or ordinary legis.
lation, by the fact Of their being of the ma
ture Of compacts aud agreements; and 90, to
De tOlSluSESu u uAcu ana settled ndllOnai
policy.
V. A radical revision and modification Of
the laws regulating immigration, and the
settlement OF immigrants. Offering to ,ha
hoacs, InmI2rant, who from love OF Liberty
or hatred OF oppression, seeks an YUM III
The United States, u friendly reception and
protection. But uuqualirdly condemmIug
the transmission 10 our shores, Of ielons and
paupers.
NL-The essential modification Of the Ma
tnrahzation Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures OF the reg.
pcrUv" States, Of all the Safe laws allowing
foreigners no. naturallZrd 10 vote.
Iue repeal, without retroactive operation
o all acts OF Congress making grants Of land
To mualnraIized foreigners, and allowing
them TO vote in The Territories
VII Hostility to the corrupt means by
Which the leaders of party have hitherto
forced npon us our rulers and political creed.
lmplacable enmity against the present
demoralIZiug sy stem OF rewards for pulili
cal subservIrnry, and OF punishmenis for po-
itlcai Independence.
Disgust for the will hunt after office
winch chiracteliHrs the age.
These Oh the one hard. On the other
imi'aton Of the practice OF purcr days OF
the Republic; aHd aJmra, on OF the maxim
that Office should geek the man, and nov
man the Ottire.' and Of the rule that. the
just mode OF ascrrtaUlng fitness for office,
Is the capabiiIty, the tanhluInrss, and the
honesty OF the incumbent or candidate.
Niil.--Resrs,ance TO the aggressive policy
and corruptng TENDENCIES OF the Roman Ca
lhollc Church IN our country 10y the advance
ment 10 al! political statIons--rXrcutivr,
legislative, judicial and diplomaiIr--ol those
la hfN 40 ,rt hal -, IN
r,cly or indirectly, TO any foreign power,
whether civil or ecclesiastical, aud who are
Americana hy birth, education and training;
thus fulfilling ihe maxim "AMER!CANs ONLY
SHALL GOVERN AMERICA
The protection Of all citizens in the legal
and proper exercise of their civil and teli
gious rights and privileges; the maintenance
Oi the right OF every man 10 The iuIi uurp-
strained and peaceful enjoyment Of hj- own
religious opinions and worship, and .alous
resistance OF all attempts by any sect de
nomination or church. to- cbiuiu the asCpu.
dency over any other il the State. BY means
Of any special priv ilrgre, or exemption b,
any practical C"mbinatUu OF it, m"nb"rS, or
by DIVISION ot their civil allegiance with
any foreign power, pOtentatcs or eCclesias.
TIC.
lX.--Thc reformation of the character Of
our National Legislature. by cIovaling to
lh3t dI4nlneu ann reSpOHsloe position
men OF higher qualifications, purer morals,
and more unsPlsh patriotism.
X.--The restriction Of executive patron.
nge respectfully III ;he mater Of appoint.
mcnts TO 0hICe-so far "a il ina, BE- permit
ted By the Constitution, and consistent with
the public good.
XI.--The education Of the youth Of our
c,umiry IN scho Is provided by the State;
which schools shall be common 10 all wiki.
oat distinction of creed or party. and free