Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-28

4 Inc Convention OF the AMERICAN PARTY
OF VIRGINIA, which met at Winchester, on
ruesdey, the 18th Of MarcL, appointed the under
signed committee, to make publication, over their
names, Of the following; !,
Basis Principles Of the American Party OF
Virginia.
Determined to preserve our political institutions
in their original purity and vigor and to keep them
unadulterated and unmpaired by foreign influence.
either civil or religious well as by home faction
and home demagoguism and believing that an
American policy, religious, political, and commer-
cia necessary for the attainment Of these snds we
shall observe and carry out in practice the follow
ing principles: i''
v i. That the suffrages of the American people
for political Offices, should not be given to any
ether than those born on our soil, and reared and
matured under tho influence Of our institutions.
q. That no foreigner ought to be allowed to ex-
ercise the elective franchise till he shall have re-
sided within the United States sufficient length
Of time to enable him to become acquainted with
the principles and imbued with the spirit Of our
institutions, and until be shall have become tho
roughly identified with the great interests Of our
country.
s. That whilst no obstacle should be interposed
70 the immigration Of all foreigners of honest and
industrious habits, and all privileges and immuni-
ties enjoyed by any native-bom citizens Of our
country should be extended to all such immigrants,
xcept that of participating in any Of our political
administrations yet all legal means should be
adopted to obstruct and prevent the immigration
Of the vicious and worthless, the criminal and
pauper.
4. That the american doctrine Of religious tol-
Grafton, and entire absence of all prescription for
opinions sake, should be cherished as one Of the
very fundamental principles Of our civil freedom,
and that any sect or party which believes and main
tains that any foreign power, religious or psltical
has the right to control the conscience or direct
the conduct Of freeman, occupies position which
Is totAly at war with the principles ot freedom oi
opinion, and which is nschievous in its tendency,
and which principle, If carried into practice, would
prove wholly destructive Of our religious and civil
liberty.
5. That the Bible in the hands Of every free cit
izen Is the only permanent basis Of all TRUE liberty
and genuine equality.
8. That the Intelligence Of the people Is neces-
sary to the right use and the continuance Of our
liberties, civil and religious hence the propriety
and Importance Of the promotion and fostering OF
al means Of moral and Intellectual culture BY some
adequate and permanent provision for general ed
ucation. ls .
L. That the doctrine Of availability now 20 prev
dent and controlling, in the nomination of csndi-
dates for office, in total disregard to al principles
Of right Of truth, and Of Justice, Is essentially
wrong, and should be by all good men condemned.
8. That, as general rule, the same restrictions
should be prescribed to the exercise Of the power
Of removal from Office, as are made necessary to be
observed In the power Of appointment thereto
and that executive influence and patronage should
be scrupulously conferred and jealousy guarded.
9. That the sovereignty of the States should be
supreme in the exercise of all powers not express
" delegated to the federal government and which
may notbe necessary and proper to carry out the
powers 30 delegated and that this principle should
be observed and held sacred in al orgsnizatons OF
the American party. n
10. That al soctarian iniermeddlng with politics
or political institutions, coming from whatever
source It may, should be promptly resisted by all
such means - seem 10 be necessary and proper for
this end. NJ So !
IL. That whilst the perpctuity Of the present
form Of the federal government Of tn. United
States Is actually neoessery for the proper develop
mont Of az the RESOURCES of this country, yet the
principle OF fnon-intervention both on the part of
the federal government aud of tho several States
OF the Union In the municipal Affairs Of each other,
Is essential TO peace and prosperity of our country,
and to the weI-being and permanencc Of our insti.
tutions,. and ct the same tine the only reliable
bond of brotherhood and union. M
Ii. The red repnblicanism and licentious induL
gence in the enjoyment Of civil privileges are as
much to be feared and deprecated by all friends
to well-regulated government and true liberty, ss
any of the forms Of monarchy and despstism-
Is. That the true Interests and welfare Of this
country, the honor Of this nation, the individual
and private rights ofts citizens, conspre TO de-
mand that all other questions arising from party
organizations, or from any other sonrce, should be
held subordinate TO and In practice made 70 yield
70 the great principles herein promulgated.
ANDREW Il. KENNEDY, of Jefferson,
GEORGE d. GRAY, Of Culpspsr,
JOSIAH DABRa of Heli6sx ,tsl