American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-11-17

!. The Acknowledgement of that Amigh-
ty Being, who rules over the Universe, who |
presides over The Councils OF Nations-who |
conducts the affairs oil men, and who, in G.
very step by which we have advanced to the
character OF an Independent nation, has dis |
,inguished us by some token Of Providental
agency.
IL. The cultivation and development Of
sentiment OF profoundly intense American
feeling; OF passionate attachment to our
country, its history and lis institutions; of
admiration for the purer days Of our nation
al existence; of venera,iou for the heroism
that precipitated our Revolution, and of en-
ulaiion for the virtue, wisdom and patriot
ism that framed our Constitution and frs,
successfully applied lis provisions.
ILL., The maintenance Of the Union Of
these United States as the paramount poli,i-
ca good; or TO use the language OF Washing
dtu, "thc primary object Of patriotic deshe."
And hence:
lst. Opposition TO all attempts to weaken
or subverl it. .... .... m--.
2nd. Incorporating antagonsm TO ev-
cry principle ofpolicy that endangers it.
81. The advocacy Of an equitable adjust
ment of all political differences which threa-
tens ITS integrity or perpetuity
4ih. The suppression OF all tender lies 10
itopolicai visions, founded on topographic
cal Determinations, or on the belief that
! there is a real difference Of interests and
| views' between the various sections of the
| Union.
| 9th. The full recognition Of the rights Of
the several States, as expressed and reserved
in the Constitution, and a careful avoidance,
BY the General Government, of all intcrfer-
ence with the rights by Legislative or en-
| eCutive action.
! ". Obedience to the Constitution Of
these United States, as the supreme law OF
! the land, sacredly obligatory upon all It's
| parts and members; and steadfast resistance
| to The spirit Of innovation upon its principles;
however specious the pretexts. Avowing
that in all doubtful or disputed points il may
only be legally ascertained and eXp0unded
by the Judicial power Of the United States.
And as a corollary TO the abovc:-
l a habi, of rcverenliaI obedience to the
laws, whether National, State, or Munich
pal, until they are either repealed or declar.
ed unconstitutional by the proper authority
2. A tender and sacred regard for those
acts of craftsmanship, which are to be con-
tradistlnguishcd from acts or ordinary lcgis-
lation, by the fact of their being Of the ma
iure Of compacts and agreements; and so, to
be considered fixed and settled national
policy.
V. A radical revision and modification Of
| the laws regulating immigration, and the
settlement OF immigrants. Offering to the
honest immi2 rant, who from love Of liberty
or hatred OF oppression, seeks an asylum III
the UnteL Slalrs, a friendly reception and
protection. But unqualiedly condemning
;he transmission to our shores, OF ielonS and
paupers.
.Vi.-The essential modification of the Ma
turallzat laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures Of the res
pective States, Of all the State laws allowing
foreigners not naturdliZcd 10 vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation
OF all acts OF Congress making grants Of land
to uunaturaliIed foreigners, and allowing
them TO vote in the Territories.
VN.-HosIility to the corrupt means by
which the leaders Of party have hitherto
forced upon us our rulers and political creed.
Implacabie enmlty against the present
dcmoralIZiug system OF rewards for poit.
cal subservienry, and Of puushments for po-
Utica! Independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office
which CharaCteriZes the age.
These on the one hand. On the other
Imitation Of the practice of purer days of
the Republic; and admiral OH of the maxim
that "ottice should seek the man, and not
man the oliire.n and Of the rule that, the
just mode OF aScerlainng fitness for Office,
is The capahiIty, the fal,hfulness, and the
| honesty of the incumbent or candidate.
| lI.--Resis,ance to the aggressive policy
and corrup,ing tendencies of the Roman Ca
| tholic Church in our country by the 2dvance-
ment 10 all political stations-executive,
| legislative, judicial and diploma,ic-of those
only who do not hold civil allegiance, di-
reclly or indirectly, TO any foreign power,
whether civil or ecclesiastical and who are
Americans by birth, education and training;
| thus fulfilling the maxim "AMERICANs ONLY
| SHALL GOVERN AMERICA"
The protection Of all citizens in the legal
and proper exercise of their civil and reli.
| gious rights and privileges; the maintenance
OF the right 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.
nominate or church, to obtain the ascen-
dency over any other in the State by means
! Of any special pri, ileges, or exemption By
| any practical combination Of its members, or
| by division Of their civil allegiance with
| any foreign power, potentacs or ecclesias.
tic
K.-The reformation Of the character of
| our National Legislature, b. eleva,ing to
that dIgniiieJ and responsible position
men OF higher qualifications, purer morals,
and more unsPIfish patriotism.
X.-ThG restriction OF executive patron.
age especially in the matter of appoint.
ments to ohice--so far as it may be permit
ted By the Constitution, and consistent with
tile public good.
XI.-The education of the youth Of our
country in schools provided by the State;
which schools shall be common TO all. with.
out distinction Of creed or PARTY, and free
Irr... LA. A.