Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-31

iS"5ious hocry, because, nc being OF course Judge
OF that tendency, will make his opinions the rule
of judgment, and approve or condemn the senti.
ments OF Others only as they shall square WITH or
differ from, his own; that it is time enough for the
rightful purposes Of civil government for its off,
GERS to interfere when principles break out into
overt acts against peace and good order; and,
nnaly that truth is great and win prevail if left to
herself that she Is the proper and sufficient antag-
onist OF error, and has nothing to fear from the
conflict, unless by human interposition disarmed Of
her natural weapons, free argument and debate
errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted
freely to combat them.
Bs u, thergore, enacted By the General As
sembly, That no man shall be compelled To fre-
quent or support any religious worship, place. or
ministry whatsoever, nor shall he be enforced re-
strained molested or burdened in his body or goods
orshall he account ohis religious
opinions or BELIEF but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument to maintain their opin-
ions in matters Of religion and that the same shall
in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil
capacities.
And thoughwe well know this Assembly, elected
by the people for the ordinary purposes Of legis-
ation only, have no power to restrain the acts of
succeeding assemblies, constituted with powers
equal to our own ~ and that therefore, to declare
this act irrevocable would be Of no effect in law
yet we are free to DECLARE and do declare that the
rights hereby asserted of the natural rights Of
mankind, and that If any act shall be hereafter
passed to repeal the present. or to narrow its ope-
rations, such an act will be an infringement Of
natural right.
Basis Principles of the American Party Of
Virginia.
Determined to preserve our political institutions
in their original purity and vgor and to keep them
unadulterated and unimpaired by foreign influence,
either civil or religious as well as by home faction
and home demagoguism; and believing that an
American policy, religious, political and CONNER
ca necessary for the attainment of these ends, we
shall observe and carry out in practice the follow
ing principles:
l. That the suffrages of the American people
other than those born on our soil, and reared and
matured under the influence of our institutions.
O. 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 he shall have become tho
roughly identified with the great interests Of our
country. t,
5. That whilst no obstacle. should be intsrposed
to the immigration of all foreigners Of honest and
industrious habits, and al privileges and imnuni,
ties enjoyed by any natiye-boIn citizens Of our
country should be extended to all such immigrants,
except 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. @
A. That the Anacrican doctrine Of religious tol.
Grafton, and entire absence of all prescription for
opinions sake, should be cherished a. one Of the
very fundamental principles of our civil. freedom,
and that any sect 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 totally at with the principles Of freedom of
opinion, and which is mischevous In its tendency,
and which principle, if carried into practice, would
prove wholly destructive of our religious and civil
liberty.
g. That the Bible in the hands of every free cit
izen is the only permanent basis of all true liberty
and genuine equality.
g. 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
all means of moral and intellectual culture by some
adequate and permanent provision for general ed
ucaton.
T. That the doctrine of availability, now so prev
alent and controlling in the nomination Of candi-
dates for Office, In total disregard to all principles
of right, of truth, and of Justice, Is essentially
wrong, and should be by all good men condemned.
s, That, as a general rule, the same restrictions
should be prescribed to the exercise Of the power
ofvemoval 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
8. That the sovereignty Of the States should be
supreme in the exercise Of all powers not express
ly delegated to the federal government, and which
may not be necessary and proper to carry out the
powers so delegated and that this principle should
be observed and held sacred In all organizations Of
the American party.
TO- That all sectarian intermeddling with politics
or political institutions, coming from whatever
source II may should be promptly resisted by all
such means as seem to be necessary and proper for
this end.
IL. That whilst the perpetuity Of the present
form of the federal government Of the United
States is actually necessary for the proper develop
ment Of all the resources Of this country yet the
principle of ofnon-interventon, both on the part of
the federal government and of the several States
ofthe Union, In the municipal affairs Of each other,
is essential to peace and prosperity of our country
and TO the well-being and pemanence Of our nsti-
tutions, and at the same time the only reliable
bond Of brotherhood and union.
IL. The red republication and ficentious 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, as
any of the forms Of monarchy and despotism.
Is. That the true interests and welfare of this
country, the honor Of this nation, the individual
and private rights ofits citizens conspire to do
mand that all other questions arising from party
organizations, from any other sonrce, should be
held subordinate TO and in practice made TO yield
to the great principles herein promulgated