The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-22
THE PLATFORM OF INTOLERANCE IN VIRGINIA

az and intolerance in Virginia adopted by the
l,a noting convention in that State There are
thirteen resolutions the most prominent OF when we
propose replying in the words OF two OF the immor
a sages of the revolution born upon the sacred soil OF The
Old Dominion What Virginan can read these thirteen
propositions without feeling OF humiliation and shame
and what Virginia democrat but will turn from them WIN
instructive scorn and dsgust2 We tell those VINO are
misled by this pestent humbug, that they VIII repent
their errors sackcloth and in ashes and that no VIC
tory however brilliant can hide from them the bad men
this deusion may bring into power and the vile doc
rines TO which il may give prominence and when the
catastrophe that is always overake these sudden
successes upon them like the crash Of avalanche
they will keeny realize the deep degradation they have
precipia,ed upon themselves
Resoiu,ons Of the Vrginio Platform Of Intolerance
l. That the SURFACES of the American people for political
Offices be given other than those born on
our SOIL and and matured under the influence Of
institutions
g. That foreigner ought to be allowed to exercise the
elective franchise till he shall have resided within the United
States sufficient length Of time enable him to become &C
quaned with principles and mbued with the spirit of our
institutions and until he shall have become thoroughly den
tilted with the great interests of our country
Reply by Thomas Jeerson in his First annual Message
December l. 1901.
Considering the ordinary chances of human liie denial
of citizenship under fourteen years denial to great
proportion those who ask it, and controls policy pursued
from first settlement by many Of these States and still
believed consequence their posterty and shall
fuse the unhappy fugityes from distress that hospitality
which the savages Of the wilderness extended to fathers
arriving this land Shall oppressed humanity find no
yum this globe? The constitution indeed has wisely
provided that admission to certain offices OF important
trust residence shall be required sufficient to develop
design But might not the general character
capabilities Of citizen be safely communicated to every
one manfesng dc purpose Of embarking his life and
fortunes permanently with us
Third Resolution Of the Virginia I"toierans
3 That whilst no obstacle should be inerposed to the
immigration all foreigners of honest and industrious hab
its all privileges and mmunities enjoyed by naive
Of country should be extended to all such
immigrants except that of participating in any of poit
cal administrations yet all legal should be adopted
ostruct and the immigration of the vicious and
worthless, the criminal and pauper.
Or in other words, the foreigners coming among us
shall be permitted to fight for uso bleed for uso die
for us--to pay taxesto dig canals and railroads
but not to participate in political administrations
and by no means to hold any oicci What creed this
is for Virginia. Jeifersons warning words come to us
from the grave like the voice Of indignant patriotism See
his inaugural of March 4, 1901 in which he says;
social that harmony and dfc
mithout ,clch liberty and life itself but dreary
things And LEI ~ reflect that, having banshed from land
chat religious intolerance under Which mankind long bed
aud suffered haze yet gained title eonnenoce o.
LIT1CAL INTOLERANCE As DESPOTIC, AS WICK
ED, AND CAPABLE or AS BITTER AND BLOODY
PROSECUTIONS"
Fourth Resolution Of the Virginia Ltoerants.
ga That the doctrine religious federation,
and entire absence of all prescription for opinions sake
should be cherished Of the very fundamental principles
of civil freedom and that any sect party which be-
eves and maintains that any foreign power religious po
a has the right to control the conscience direct
conduct Of freeman, occupies position which totally
with the principle Of freedom of opinion and which
miscellaneous in its tendency and which principle il
into practice would prove wholly destructive reli
gious and civil liberty
The only sect charged with being influenced by any for
cgn power and falsely charged the Catholics and
this hypocrcal attempt this absurd accusation
by covering up under vague gcneratie worthy only
Of the and contempt Of every enlightened citizen
Let oppose the Washington doctrine Of religious toera
ton to this ridiculous American platform
10 the Cathotcs.
As mankind become liberal they will be more ant
20 allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy
members Of the community equally entitled to the pro
lection Of civil government hope America
among the foremost nations in examples justice and ber
ay and presume that fellow citizens will not forget
the patriotic part which you took in the Of
their revolution and the establishment of their
or the important assistance which they received from ma
tion in which the Roman Catholic religion Is profesed
81 thank you, gentlemen, your kind concern for me
While my life and my health shall continue in whatever
uaton be- 1t sha be my constant endeayor To ns,if
the favorable sentiments you are pleased to NJ NV
conducts and may the members your society in America
animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity and ,
conducting Memseres The faithful ubjects of our free a,
ernme"t, enjoy ee~y temporal and spiritual felicity
GEORGE WASHINGTON"
The remainder of this creed is as follows:
s. That the Bible in the hands of every free citizen
the only basis of all true liberty genuine
equality
" g. That the intelligence of the people is necessary TO
the right and the continuance of liberties civil and
religious hence the propricy and Importance Of the
ton and fostering Of all of and Gull
tre by some adequate and provision for
education.
" That the doctrine Of availability, and
controlling in the nomination Of for Office in total
disregard OF all principles Of right of truth of Justice
demned.
"s That as general rule, the restrictions should
be prescribed TO the exercise Of the power of removal
from office as are made necessary observed in ba
power OF appointment thereto that executive inau
and patronage should be scrupuousy courrad md
jealousy guarded
90 That the sovereignty OF the States should be
in the exercise OF all not expressly delegated To the
federal government and which may be and
proper carry the powers delegated and tina, this
principle should be observed held sacred in all
tions of the American party.
80. That all sectaran inermeddng with politics or po
tca institutions, coming from whatever source il nav
should be promptly resisted by all such seem to be
npr.qs nd fac ~; ,J