The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-06-23

ulScriininations, or on the belief that there is
real difference of interests and views be-
tween the various sections of the Union
9th. The full recognition of the rights of
the several States, as expressed and reserved
in the Constitutions: and careful avoidance.
by the General Government, of all interior.
encc with the rights by legislative or execl-
tive action.
lF.-Obedience to the Constitution of these
United States, as the supreme law of the
land, sacrcdly obligatory upon all its parts
and members; and steadfast resistance to the
spirit OF innovation upon its principles, how
ever speclous the pretexts. Avowing that
IN all doubtful or disputed points it may only
he legally asscrtained and eXpounded by the
Judicial power of the United States.
And, as corollary to the above:-
l. habit of reverential obedience to the
laws, whether State, or Municipal, until
they are either repealed or declared uncon-
titution by the proper authority.
2. tender and sacred regard for those
acts of craftsmanship, which are to DO con-
distinguished from acts of ordinary legis-
lation, by the fact of their being of the ma
ture of compacts and agreements; and so, to
be considered a fixed and settled national
policy.
VA radical revision and modification of
the laws regulating immigration, and the
settlement of immigrants. Offering to the
honest Immigrant, who from love Of liberty
or hatred of oppression. seeks an asylum in
the United States, friendly reception and
protcction.-But unqualifiedly condemning
the transmission to our shores, or felons and
paupcrs.
Nl-The essential modification of the Nat
publications Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures of the res
pective States, of all State laws allowing for
eiSncrs not naturalzcd to vote.
The repeal, without retro active operation.
of all acts Of Congress making grants Of land
to unnaturalizcd foreigners, and allowing
them to vote in the Territories.
Nn.-liostiity to the corrupt means
by which the leaders of party have hitherto
forced upon US our rulers and political
crceds.
1mplacable enmity against the present de-
morazng system of rewards for political
subserviency. and punishments fer political
independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after Office which
charactcrzcs the age.
These on the one hand. On the other
Imitation of the practice of the purer days
OF the Republic; and admiration of the maxim
that "oflice should seek the man, and not
man the Office" and of the rule that. the
just mode of ascertaining fitness for office is
the capabiity, the fahfulncss, and the hon
csty of the incubent or candidate
| Nlll.-Resistancc 10 the aggressive policy
and corrupting tendencies of the Roman
Catholic Church in our country by the ad.
vancencnt of all political Stations-cxecu.
tive, legislative, judicial, or diplomatic-of
those only who do not hold civil allegiance,
directly or indirectly, to any foreign power,
whether civil or ecclesiastical, and who are
Americans by birth, education and training:
thus fulfilling the maxim ''AMERlCANs ONLY
SHALL GOVERN AMERICA"
| The protection of all citizens in the legal
and proper exercise Of their civil and religious
lights and privileges; the maintenance Of the
rights of every man to the full, and unres-
trained and peaceful enjoyment of his own
religious opinions of worship, and jealous
resistance of all attempts, by any Sect de-
nomination or church. to obtain the Assem-
dcncy over any other in the State, by means
Of any special privileges, Or exemption by
any political combination of its members, or
| by division of their civil allegiance with
any foreign power, potentates or ccclcsiastic
N.-The reformation of the character of
our National Legislature, by clevating to
that dignited and responsible position men
Of higher qualifications, purer morals, and
more unscltish patriotism.
X.-The restriction of executive patronage
especially in the matter of appointment to
ofce-so far as it may be permitted by the
Constitution, and consistent with the public
good.
XT.-Thc education of tho youth of our
country in schools provided by the State;
which schools shall be common to all, with
out distinction of creed OF party, and free
from any influence or direction of denom-
national or paItzan character.
And, inaslmuch as Christianity, by the
Constitutions of nearly all the States: by the
decisions of the most eminent judicial au-
thorltics, and by the consent of the people of
America: is considered an element of our po-
litical system, and as the Holy Bible is at
once the source of Christianity; and the de-
pository and fountain Of all civil and religi-
Gus freedom, we oppose every attempt 10
exclude it from the schools thus established
in the States.
AlI.-The American party having arisen
upon the ruins and in spite Of the opposition
of the Wing and Democratic parties, cannot
be held in any manner responsible for the OBJ
noxious acts or violated pledges of either
And the systematic agitation of the slavery
question by those parties having elevated
sectional hostility into a positive element of
political power. and brought our institutions
into peril it has heretofore become the imper
ativc duty of the American party to interpose
for the purpose of giving peace to the coun-
try and perpetuity to the Union. And as
experience has shown it impossible to recon-
cie opinions so extreme as those which separ-
ate the disputants, and as there can be no
dishonor in submitting to the laws, the
National Council has deemed it the best
guarantee ofcommon justice and future peace,
to abide by and maintain the existing laws
upon the subject Of slavery, as final and
conclusive settlement Of that subject, in sp-
rit and in substance.
And regarding it the highest duty to avow
their opinions upon subject so important,
in distinct and unequivocal terms, it is here.
by declared as the sense of this National
Council, that Congress possesses no power,
| under the Constitution, to legisate upon the
subject of slavery in the States where it does
or may exist, or exclude any State from adj
mission into the Union because its Constitu-
ton does or does not recognize the institution
of slavery as part ofits social system; and
especially pretermitting any expression Of
opinion upon the power of Congress to estab-
fish or prohibit slavery in any Territory, it
is the sense of the National Council that Con-
1 Al v.l H. Il.