Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-13
Basis Principles of the American Party OF
Virginia. ST.

Determined to preserve our political institutions
in their original purity and ygor and 10 keep them
unadulterated and unimpared 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
cal necessary for the attainment OF these ends we
shall observe and carry out in practice, the follow
ling principles:
4 /. That the suffrages of the American people
for political Offices, should not be given 10 any
other than those born on our soil, and reared and
4 matured under the influence Of our institutions.
O. That no foreigner ought to be allowed 10 ex-
orcse the elective franchise, till he shall have re-
sided within the United States sufficient length
of time 10 enable him 10 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.
3. That whilst no obstacle should be interposed
20 the immigration Of all foreigners Of honest and
industrious habits, and all privileges and mmuni-
ties enjoyed by any natiye-boIn citizens OF our
country should be extended TO all such immigrants,
exces that of participating in any of our political
administrations yet all legal means should be
adopted 10 obstruct and prevent the immigration
Of the vicious and worthless, the criminal and
pauper.
4. That the A,nerican 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 or party which believes and main
tans that any foreign power, religious or pstical,
has the right 70 control the conscience or direct
the conduct of freeman, occupies position which
Is totally at war with the principles OF freedom OF
opinion, and which is mischievous In its tendency,
and which principle, IL carried into practice, would
prove wholly destructive of our religious and civil
hberty.f
s. That the Bible in the hands Of every free cit
izen is the only permanent basis Of all true liberty
and genuine equality.
8. 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 aud permanent provision for general ed
ucation.
T. That the doctrine Of availability, now so prey
alent and controlling, In tho nomination OF caadi-
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 general rule, the same restrictions
should be prescribed to the exercise Of the power
Of removal from Office, made necessary to be
observed in the power Of appointment thereto
and that executive influence and patronage should
be scrupulously conferred and jealousy guarded.
, o. 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 20 delegated and that this principle should
be observed and held sacred in all organizations Of
the American party.
TO- That all sectarian intermoddling with politics
or political institutions, coming from whatever
source il may, should be promptly resisted by all
such means as seem 10 be necessary and proper for
this end.
IL. That whilst the perpctuity of the present
form Of Che federal government OF the United
States is actually necessary for the proper develop
mont Of all the resources ofthis country, yet the
principle Of ofnon-intervention, both on the part of
The federal government and Of the several States
Of the Union, IN the municipal affairs Of each other,
IA essential to peace and prosperity Of our country,
and TO the well-being and pernanencc Of our nsti-
tutions, and at the snme time the only reliable
bond Of brotherhood and union.
IL. The red repnblicanism and licentious indul-
gence in the enjoyment Of civil privileges, are as
much to be feared and deprecated BY all friends
TO wcllregulated governments and true liberty, as
any Of the forms OF monarchy and despotism.
Is. That the true interests and welfare Of this
country, the honQr Of this nation, the individual
and private rights ofits citizens conspire to de-
mand that all other questions arising from party
organizations, from any other sonrce, should be
held subordinate to and in practice made to yield
IN the 0reaf priucipIea herein promuipatpd