American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-09-08
The American Platform.
The following are the platform and prin.
ciples OF the American Organization, adopted
by the National Council at Philadelphia.
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.

PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.
]. The acknowledgement Of that Almigh-
| ~ Being, who rules over the Universe, who
presides over the Councils OF Nations--who
| conducts the affairs o! men, and who, in e.
very step by which we have advanced to the
! character Of an Independent, nation, has dis.
,ingushed us by some token Of Providential
agency.
H. The cultivation and development Of a
| sentiment Of profoundly intense American
feeling; of passionate attachment TO our
| country. its history and It's institutions: OF
| admiration for the purer days OF our nation
nj existence: Of venera.ion for the heroism
that precip,ated our Revolution, and Of en-
uaiion for the virtue, wisdom and patriot
| ism that framed our Constitution and first
successfully applied its provisions.
III. The maintenance Of the Union of
these United States as the paramount politi.
cal good; or to use the language of Washing
dm, 1.-THE primary object Of patriotic desiie."
And hence:
list. Opposition to all attempts to weaken
or subver, it.
2ud. Cncompromisng an,agonism TO ev-
cry principle OF policy tina, endangers it.
81. The advocacy of an equitable adjust
ment Of all political differences which tlIrea-
tens ITS integrity or pepetuity.
4th. The suppression OF all tendencies 10
Itopolical visions, founded on geographic
cal Determinations, or on the belief that
there Is u real difference of interests and
views between the various sections of the
Union.
9th The full recognition Of the rights of
the several States, US expressed and reserved
III the Constitution, and careful avoidance,
10y tho General Government, Of all interter-
enco with the rights by legislative or eX-
cCu,ive action.
". Obedience to the Constitution Of
these United States, as the supreme law Of
the land, saCredly obligatory upon all its
parts and members; and steadlast resistance
TO The sp'rlt OF innovation upon its principles;
however spccious The pretcXts. Avowing
That in all doubtful on disputed points il may
only be legally ascer,ainod and eXpounded
10y the judicial power of the United States.
And as ii coroIiary to the above
a habit Of rcverenlia obedience to the
laws, whether National, State, or Munici.
! pal, until they are either repealed or decar.
cd unconstitutional by the proper authority.
2. a tender and sacred ragard for those
acts ot craftsmanship, which are to be con-
tradistin9uishci from acts or ordinary egis
| lAuo", by the fact Of their being Of The ma
| iu'c OF compacts and agreements: and so. 10
he considered fixed aud settled national
policy.
| V. a radical revision and modification Of
the laws regulating immigration, and the
| settlement OF Immigrants. Offering to the
honest immigrant who from love Of liberty
I or hatred OF oppression, seeks an asylum in
1 The Unted States, a friendly reception and
/ pfote cilOn But unqualIiedly condemnimg
4 tee 1IansmissOn TO our shores, OF iclons and
panpers.
\ Vl-The essential modification of the Ma.
! turaII2atlou Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures of the res.
! pectlvc States, Of all the State laws allowing
foreigners no. naturalized 10 vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation
o' all acls o. Congress making grants o. land
to unnaturalized foreigners, and allowing
them 10 vote in the Territories.
Nll.-liosiiIity to the corrupt means by
winch the leaders OF party have hitherto
forced upon us our rulers and political creed.
/ impacabie enmIty against the present
oemoral'zImg system OF rewards for poi,i.
Cai subservIency, and OF puulshments for DO
lIllcal independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office
which characterizes the age.
These on the one hand. On the other
limitation OF the practice of purer DAYS of
The Republic; and admira, on of the mn vim
lhat office should seek the man. and mo,
man the Office" and of the rule that. ths
just mode of asCertainlng fitness for Office
IS The copNhlIiiy, the fallhiulncss. and the
honesty OF The incumbent or candidate.
Eiil.-RasISanCe to the aggressive poiicv
ana cofrnpilDg tendencies Of the Roman Ca.
'h"lIc IhurCh IN our C0untry hy the advance
ment 10 all political stations-executivn
i've, judicial and dplomaric--of those
only who do not hold civil allcgionce III.
Tec'iy or indirectly, TO any foreign mower
Whelhrr civil or ecclesiastical. and who are
Americans 10y birth. education and ,raiuing.
mus fulfilling the maxim "AMERIcANs oyLy
SHALL GOVERN AMERICA.p
The protection Of all citizens in the Local
ana proper exercise Of their civil and rel;.
GlouS rights and privileges; the maintenance
oi the iiGht OF every man 10 the full. unrn.
strained and peaceful enjoyment of his own
rc'lSions OPINIONS and worship, and iralous
resistance OF all attempts, by any sect, de
I"min"uOh or chhtch, to obtain the ascen.
uchcy over any other in tie State, by means
OF any SptclaI privileges, or exemption BIZ
any practical combination OF lis members ~,
by division Of their civil allegiance ,";,t -,
any lore,gn power, potemtuies or ecclesias.
tic.
IX:--The reformation Of the character Of
our Na'ionai Legislature, By elevaing 10
'hat d9nIIed and responsible position
men Of higher qualifications, pnrer moraIs
and more umscish patriotism.
rrhn