Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-09-20


theAmericnl Party begun and held at Philadel
phla, on the 5M of June, a. d., 1855, the fol-
lo,oing ,uas adopted as The Platform and Prin-
ciples Of the Organization.
THE acknowledgment of that Almighty Be-
ing, who rules over the Universe, who presdes
over the councils of nations,--wh conducts the
affairs of men, and who, in every step by which
we have advanced to the character of an indepen-
dent nation, has distinguished us by some token Of
Providential agency
1.-THE cultivation and development of SEN
timent Of profoundly intense American feeling; Of
passionate attachment to our country, its history
and its Institutions; of admiration for the purer
days OF our nat onal existence; of veneration for
the heroism that precipitsted our Revolution and
of emulation Of the virtue, wisdom, and patriotism
that framed our constitution and first successfully
applied its provisions.
iII.-The maintenance Of the union Of these
United States as the paramount political good or,
TO Lse the language Of Washington, the primary
OBJ ect of patriotic DESIRE And hence
Let. Opposition to all attempts to weaken or
subvert it.
ID Uncompromising antagonim to every prin-
ciple OF policy that endangers it.
Sd. The advocacy Of an equitable adjustment Of
Gll political differences which threaten its integrity
or perpetuity.
4th. The suppression of all tendencies to polfti-
cal division, founded on geographical .dscrimi-
nations, or on the belief that there Is a real differ
ence OF interests and views between the various
sections of the Union.
5th The sull 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 interference with their
rights by legislative or executive action.
1v.-0bedience to the Constitution Of these Uni
ted States, as the supreme law Of the land sacred
ly obligatory upon all its parts and members and
steadast resistance to the spirit OF innovation upon
its principles, however spccious the pretexts.
Ayowing that In all doubtful disputed points II
may only be legally ascertaflcd and expounded by
the judicial power Of the United States.
And as a corollary to the above
|. A habit Of reverential obedience TO the law,
whether National, State, or Municipal, until they
are either repealed or declared unconstitutional by
the proper authority.
2. A tender and sacred regard for those acts Of
statesmanshp which are to be contradistingushed
from acts OF ordinary legislation, by the fact Of
their being OF the nature Of compacts and agree
ments; and 30, to be considered fixed and settled
national policy.
VA radical revision and mobilization of the
laws regulating immigration, and the settlement Of
immigrants. Offering to the honest immigrant who,
from love Of liberty or hatred OF oppression, seeks
an asylum In the United States, friendly recep-
ton and protection. But unqualiaedly condemn
ing the transmission to our shores Of felons and
paupeif. -.
vi. The essential modification Of the Natural
ization Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures Of the respective
States of all State laws allowing foreigners not
naturalized to vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation, Of all
acts OF Congress making grants Of land to unnatu-
ralized foreigners, and allowing them to vote in
the Territories.
VII. Hostility TO the corrupt means by which
the leaders Of patty have hitherto forced upon us
our rulers and our political creeds.
Implacable enmity against the prevalent demora-
izing system Of rewards for political subservency,
and Of punishments for political independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after Office which char
scterizes the age.
These on the one hand. On the other -
Imitation OF the practice Of the purer days Of
tho Republic and admiration of the maxim that
"office should seek the man. and not man the OF.
6ce" and Of the rule that the just mode Of ascer-
tanning fitness for Office IL the capabty, the faith
fuluess, and the honesty of the incumbent or can
didate.
VIII.--Resstance to the aggressive policy and
&C rupting tendencies of the. Roman Catholic
Church IN our country by the Advancement TO all
political stations legislative judicial
diplomatc--of those only who do not hold civil
allegiance, directly or indirectly, to any foreign
power whether civil or ecclesiastical, and who are
Americans by birth, education and traning--thus
fulfilling the maxim; AMERICANS ONLY SHALL
GOVERN AMERICA"
Tho protection Of all citizens ia the legal and
proper exercise Of their civil and religious rights
an i privileges; the maintenance Of the right Of
every man TO the u unrestrained, snd peaceful en-
icy nehl OF his own religious opinions and worship,
nd jealous resistance Of all attempts by any snc
denomination or church, TO obtain an ascenJF ocy