American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-12-01
The American Platform.

!. The acknowledgement of that Almigh- |
~ Being, who rules over the Universe, who
preSideS over the Councils Of Nations-who
conducts the affairs OF men, aud who, in e.
very step by which we have advanced to the
character OF an iudependen, nation, has dis.
tinguishcd us by some token Of ProYideniial
agency.
H. The cultivation and development of
sentiment Of profoundly intense American
feeling; OF passionate attachment TO our
| country, its history and its institutions; of
admiration for the purcr days of our nation
al existence; Of vcGera,iou for the hcrosm
| that precipitatCd our Revolution, and Of EN-.
| ulaton for the virtue, wisdom and patriot
ism that framed our Constitution and fits,
successfully applied its provisions.
Ill. The maintenance Of the Union Of
these United States us the paramount politi-
cal good or to use the language of Washing.
| din, "thc primary object of patriotic desIe.n
And hence:
lsi. Opposition 10 all attempts to weaken
or subyetl it.
2ud. Uncompromising nntagonism to ev-
cry principle OF policy that endangers it.
81. The advocacy of an equitable adjust.
meat Of all political differences which ,hrea-
tens ITS integrity or pcrpetuity.
4lh. The suppression Of all tendencies to
| ltopolicat visions, founded on "ceographi-
| cui Determinations, or on the belief that
there is real difference of interests and
virws' between the various sections Of the
Unioa.
9Th. The full recognition of the rights of
| the several States, as expressed and reserved
| II the Constitution, and careful avoidance,
10y the General Government OF ali interfcr-
rmce wish the rights by Legislative or en-
eCulivc action.
~. Obedience 10 the Constitution Of
these United Safes as the supreme law Of
the land, sacrediy obligatory upon all its
parts and members; and stead(ast resistance
10 the spirit OF innovation upon its principles,
however spccious the prctcxts. Allowing
lha, IN all doubtful OF disputed points it may
only be- legally usCertuincd and expoundcd
10y the Judicial power Of the United States.
And as corolIary TO the above
\ habit OF rcvcrcniial obedience to the
laws, whether National, State, or Municj.
pal, until they IRE either repealed or decar.
ed unconstitutional 10y the proper authority
,. tender and sacred regard for those
acts OF S!atcSmamShip, which are to be con.
tradiStlngulShrd from acts or ordinary lrgi5.
| laliJu, by the tact OF their being Of the ia
tue Of cpmpurts aud 0gyccmcuts anil so, to
be considered It fixed and settled national
policy.
V. \ radical revision and modification Of
the laws regulating immigration, and the
settlement OF immigrants. Offering 10 the
honest Immi Grant, WHO from love OF liberty
or hatred OF oppression, seeks an asylum in
The United States, friendly reception and
protection. Bat uuqualiedly condcmniug
tEc transmission 10 our shores, of .elOms and
Paupcfs.
N.---The essential modification Of the Ma
turall2ution Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures Of the res.
pectvc States, OF all the Safe laws allowing
foreigners no. naturalized to vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation
OF all acts Of Congress making grants of land
to ummaiuraliZai foreigners, and allowing
them to vote i'm Inc Territories.
EII.--iioslility to the corrupt means by
which the leaders Of party have hitherto
| forced upon us our rulers and political creed.
lmpiacabIe euuuty against the present
demurU!iZiu9 sy 81, M OF rewards for pUlili-
Cal subservitnry, aud OF Punishmcuts for pU-
IIiicai Independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office
which ChaTaclerizes the age.
These on the one hahd. On the other
Imitation of the'praclco Of purer days Of
the Republic; aud admiral OF of the maxim
that coffee should seek the man, and not
man tie Office" aud Of the rule that, the
Just mode Of asceridLlng fitness for Office,
Is the c0pabiily, the talihfuincss, and the
honesty Of tho incumbent or candidate.
NIiI.--Resjs,anCc to the aggressive policy
and corrupljng tendencies of the Roman Ca
Iholic Church in our country by the advance
ment to all political stations--cxccutiyo
legislative, judicial and dplomalic-uf those
only who do not hold civil allegiance, di-
rcClly Or indirectly, TO any foreign powef,
whether civil or ecclesiastical, and who are
Americans by birth, education and lroinng;
thus fulfilling IhC maxim "AMGRICANS ONLY
SHALL GoVERH AMERICA.'
The protection OF all cilizcns in the legal
and proper exercise Of their civil and Iei.
GioHs rights and privileges; the maintenance
OF the right OF every man to the fell. unre-
strained and peaceful enjoyment Of his own
religions opinions and worship, and JEALOUS
resistance Of all attempts, by any sect, de.
nomination or church, to obtain the asCen-
dcncy over amy other i'll the State, by means
al any special privileges, or exemption by
any practical combination Of its members, or
by division Of their civil allegiance with
any foreign power pOleEtU!Cs or ecClesils.
tic.
IH.-Tho reformation Of the character Of
our National Legislature, by eleyatng TO
that djg"iiieJ ond responsible position
men Of higher qualifications, purer morals,
aud more uns'it!sh patriotism.
X.-Thc restriction Of executive patron.
age especially in the matter Of appoint
mrntS 10 onCc--so far as it may be permit
ted by the Constitution, and consistent with
the public good.
Nl.-Thc education Of the youth Of our
county in schools provided by tho State;
.iflp i,,.y,t IL, Il