American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-11-10

e'P'es VI VIC AMERICAN OrganlzotIon, adopted
by The National Council at philadelphia.
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.
]. The acknowledgements Of that Almigh.
~ bHng, who rules over the Universe, who
preSides over The Councils of Na,ions-who
conducts the affairs OF men, and who, in e.
very step by which we have advanced to the
character OF an independent nation, has dis.
lin9uiShed us by some token of Providcntal
agency
II. The cultivation ana development Of a
sentiment of profoundly intense American
iceling; OF passionate auaCht.eut to our
country, It's history and its institutions; Of
ahmiration for the purer days of our nation
nj existence; Of venera,iou for the heroism
that ripitated our Revolution, and of EN-.
u'a'inh Tor the virtue, wisdom aud pa riot
isrn that framed our Constitution aud frs,
successfully applied its provisions.
Ill. The maintenance of the Union OF
these United States as the paramount polit.
cal good; or to use the language Of Washing.
dtn, 1.-THE primary object Of patriotic desile."
And hence:
ls,. Opposition to all attempts to weaken
or subverl it.
2nd. Uncompromising on,agonsm to ev-
cry principle of policy that endangers it.
81. The advocacy of an equitable adjust.
mcnt of all political differences which threa-
tens IT'S integrity or perpetu,y.
Aih. The suppression Of all tendencies TO
ltnpoIicut visions, founded on ''gcographi.
cal determinations, or on the belief ihs,
there is a real difference Of interests and
virws' between the various sections Of the
Union.
9Th. The full recognition Of the rights of
he al Stnlba ,,.n1
IN the Constitution, and a careful avoidance,
by the General Government, of all intcrfcr-
rnce with the rights by legislative or ex-
ecutive action.
". Obedience to the Constitution of
these United States, as the supreme law of
the land, SaCredy obligatory upon all its
| parts and members; and steadiast resistance
| to The spirit OF innovation upon its principles;
! however spccious The prrtpXts. Avowing
that IN all doubtful OF disputed points it may
only be- legally aS,eraiued and eXpounded
| Ivy the Judicial power of the United States.
And as corollary to the above:--
habit Of rcvercniiOl obedience to tho
| laws, whether National, State, or Munci-
! pal, unIil they are either repealed or declar-
ed unconstitutional by the proper authority
2. tender and sacred regard for those
acts of craftsmanship, which are to TO con.
tradistngnishcI from acts or ordinary legis.
! Iaiion, hy the fact of their being of the ma
| iuic Of c"mparts and agreements; and so, TO
! b. considered fixed aud settled national
! policy.
Y. y radical revision and modification Of
the laws regulating immigration AMI the
| settlement Of immigrants. Offering to the
| honest immigrant, who from love OF Liberty
or hatred OF oppression, seeks an asylum in
the United S1nlra, a friendly reception and
! protection. Bat umqnalilirdly condemniug
! lie transmission 10 our shores, Of irlons and
pa"pers.
Nl.--The essential modification Of the Ma
! turallzation Lnws.
The repeal by The Legislatures Of the res.
! pecIive States, Of all the State laws allowing
! foreigners no. naturdlZcd TO vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation
! Of all acts Of Congress making grants Of land
! 10 unna,uraiiIed Foreigners, and ALLOWING
| them to vote in The Territories.
Nll.-llos'ility to the corrupt means by
| which the leaders Of party have hitherto
forced upon us our rulers and political creed
! lmplacabIe emmity against the present
dcmoralIZIng y stem OF rewards for poili.
! cal subSrrvIenry, and Of punishments for po-
| II'icaI Independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office
which characicTiZeS the age.
These on the one hard. On the other
Imitation Of the practice of purer days of
the Republic; and aJmira, on of the maxim
! that "oiiicc should seek the man. and not,
/ man the 0!iire." and Of the rule that the
! just mode OF asceriuinlng fitness for Office,
! Is the capatIiny, the taIlhiulness, and the
| honesty OF The incumbent or candidate.
VIII. -ResIstauCe TO the aggressive policy
| and o"rrup'lng TENDENCIES Of the Roman Ca
! tholic Churcl! in our country by the advance
ment 10 all political stations-executive.
! Legislative, judicial and dipIomatic--of those
| only who do not hold civil allegiance di-
rcc!!y or Indirectly, TO any foreign power,
whether civil or ccclesiastl teal, aud who arc
! Americans by birth, education and training;
| thus fulfilling the maxim ''AMRRIcANs ONLY
| SHALL GOVERN AMERICAN
The protection Of all citizens in the legal
and proper exercise Of their civil and leli.
! Sous rights and privileges; the maintenance
| OF the Tlght OF every man TO The full, unrc.
strained and peaceful enjoyment of his own
religious opinions and worship, and JEALOUS
resistance OF all attempts, by any sect, de.
! nomination or church, to obtain the ascen-
! dcncy over any other in the State, by means
! OF any special priv iIeges, or exemption by
! any practical combination of its members or
! b. a division Of their civil allegiance with
! any foreign power, potentates or eCClesias.
/ tic.
! K.--Thc reformation Of the character OF
our National Legislature, by elcvating to
| that dIguiticd and responsible position
men Of higher qualifications, purer morals,
aud more unsehsh patriotism.
| X,-Inr restriction Of executive patron.
age especially IL the matter oil. appoint.