Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-24


The Convention Of the AMERICAN PARTY
OF VIRGINIA, which met at Winchester, on
Tuesdey, the 18th of March, appointed the under
signed committee, to make publication, over their
names, Of the following
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
ci necessary for the attainment Of these ends, we
shall observe and carry out In practice the follow
ing principles:
1. That the suffrages Of the American people
for political offices, should not be given to any
other than those born on our soil, and reared and
matured under the influence Of our institutions.
q That no foreigner ought 10 be allowed to ex-
ercise the elective franchise till he shall have re-
sided within the United States sufficient length
of time 10 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.
8. That whilst no obstacle should be interposed
TO the immigration Of all foreigners of honest and
industrious habits, and all privileges and immuni-
ties enjoyed by any native-bom citizens Of our
country should be extended to all such immigrants,
xcept that Of participating in any Of our political
administrations; yet all legal means should be
adopted TO obstrnct and prevent the immigration
Of the vicious and worthless, the criminal and
psuper. "a,
4. That the American doctrine Of religious tol-
Grafton, and entire absence Of all prescription for
opinions sake, should be cherished as 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 oruupshtca
has The right 70 control the consciencc1 direct
the conduct of freeman, occupies posltim which
Is totally at war with the principles OF freedom OF
opinion, and which Is mischievous In its tendency
and which principle, if carried into practice wohd
prove wholly destructive Of our religious and civil
liberty.
8. That the Bible in the hands Of every free cit
iren Is the only permanent basis Of all true liberty
and genuine equality. n n.
9. That the intelligence Of the people Is neces-
sary 10 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
ucation.
Y. That the doctrine of availability, now 20 prev
slent and controlling In the nomination Of csndi-
dates for Office In total disregard 10 all principles
of right Of truth, and Of justice, Ia essentially
wrong, and should be by all good men condemned.
8. That, as a general rule, the same restrictions
should be prescribed 10 the exercise Of the power
of removal from Office ss are made necessary 10 be
observed in the power Of appointment thereto (;
and that executive influence and patronage should
be scrupulously conferred and jealousy guarded.
Q. That the sovereignty Of the States should be
supreme In the exeWise Of all powers not express
" delegated TO the federal government and which
may not be necessary and proper to carry out the
powers 90 delegated and that this principle should
be observed aud 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.
H. That whilst the perpetuity Of the present
form Of the federal government Of the United
States s actually necessary for the proper develop
ment Of all the resources Of this country yet the
principle OF fnon-intervention, both on the part Of
the federal government and Of the several States
of the Union in the municipal affairs Of each other,
is essential 70 peace and prosperity Of country,
and 70 the wellbeing and permanence Of our inst.
tutions, and at the same time the only reliable
bond of brotherhood and union.
IL. The red repnbIicauism and lioentious induL
gence in the enjoyment OF civil privileges, are az
much to be feared and deprecated by all friends
70 well-regulated government and true liberty, AZ
any of the forms Of monarchy and despotsm.
10. That the true Interests and welfare Of this
country, the honor Of this. nation, the individual
and private rights Of its citizens, conspre to de-
mand that all other questions arising from party
organizations, or from any other sonrce should be
held subordinate to and in practice made TO yield
to the great principles herein promulgated.
ANDREW e. KENNEDY, OF Jefferson,
GEORGE d. GRAY Of Cupeper,
JOSIAH DABBS, Of Halifax.