The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-29
The Principles and Objects of Ameri.
can Party at South Carolina

The Principles and Objects of Ameri.
can Party at South Carolina.
ADOPTED alta meeting of the State Councii
6fgdn and held at Charleston, on IAN
Of August, 1855.
/. Resolved, That we ratify and accede
to the principles ofthe American Order,
promulgated by the National Council OF
the Organization, held ut Philadelphia, in
juno last, subject TO the notifications
herein contained. To this ratification we
attach the following declarations:
1. That with reference to the organiza
ton Of the American party in the United
States, the American order Of South Car
olina is an independent body, whose self.
government is supreme, and acknowledges
no obligations and duties other than those
imposed or adopted, aud ratified by its
State Council, in due form of Constitution,
Ritual platform or resolves.
2. That the primary and fundamental
principle and objects of the Order were
and are-to the consummation Of end
-"that Americans shall rule America"
the essential modification of the naturali-
cation laws, with proper safeguards to
preserve purity of the elective franchise;
that citizenship shall be constituted the
basis condition of the privileges of office
and suffrage; and, incidental to these, the
restriction by its influence, through suf.
frage and in official appointments, Of all
politico.sectarian designs, and of all other
than native civil influences. That the iu
risdiction of the Order does not extend to
and over the political and private opinions
ofindividual members, or the political nc.
ton OF subordinate Councils, upon any
other subjects political or religious. That
any agreements upon the latter can on
ly be binding to an extent which good
faith may impose
3. That the judicial power of the Uni
ted States extends to all legal questions
under their Constitution, treaties and laws;
but that the States, like sovereign parties
to acompact, are the final Judges ofthe
nature and extent Of the federal com
pact, and that "each has an equal right
to judge for itself, as well of its infrac.
ton, as of the mode and measure of
redress"
4. That constitutional liberty is the
supreme object Of our republican system.
Subject to this principle, do we construe
and accede to third article of the Phila-
delaphia platform, to wit:
Ill. The maintenance of the union of
these United States rs the paramount DO.
titical good; or, TO use the language of
Washington, "the primary object of patri
otic desire" And hence
1st. Opposision 10 all attempts to weak
en- or subyert it. -.
Cd. Uncmpronising atagonism to eve
ry principle Of policy that endangers. it.
3rd. The advocacy of an equitable ad-
justment Of all political differences which
threaten its integrity or perpetuity.
4til. The suppression OF all tendencies
TO political division, founded on "ceo.
graphical discrimination, or on the belief
that there is real difference Of inter.
-ests and views" between the various sec.
tions Of the Union. 7
9th The full recognition of the rights
OF the several States, rs expressed and
reserved in the Constitution, and care.
ful avoidance, by the General Govern
ment OF all Interference with their rights
by legislative or executive action.
8. That we hold no obligations into
which we have entered, and especially
those which have relation TO the Union.
TO be inconsistent with our allegiance
TO our State, with our duty under eth.
or the State or Federal Constitution.
with the rights and powers reserved to
the States respectively, or the people," or
with our rights as freemen under The lat
ter to resist wrong and injury. That those
obligations have sole reference to Con
stitutional Union, and we hold none other
TO be binding upon us, either as members
'of the American order, or as citizens.
2. Resolved, That the term "Catholic.n
and all semblanee ola religious test, be
stricken from the official records and obi.
cations Of the American Order of this
State, and that all natives be eligible TO
the order, capable of its suffrage, who shall
renounce all foreign and ecclesiastical ju-
risdiction and influence.
3. Resolred, That wEile we deprecate
homish Politico-sectarian influence in A.
merica, We are inexorably opposed to any
Law respecting an establishment of relia-
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" or
any law which implies ga religious test. ~.
That Jour opinions as men, however, an.
prove only the principle Of self government
IN Church as State, and we do not an.
prove an ecclesiastical polity which has
ITS source and authority in foreign land
and single potentate. And that we for.
bear to sustain those, who, from either DO
iitical or sectarian motives, oppose our
contemplated reforms.
4. Resolged, That we disapproye Of
the adoption ofany law which shall effect
or disturb the previous existing legal priv.
hedges conferred on naturaIizel citizens.
s. Resoiped, That in view Of mobocra.
tive tendencies and radical doctrines and
practices, we shall ever seek TO maintain
conserve claw and order,n in consonance
with onr American republican system.
@. Resoired, That we renounce and
repndiate all connection with those Coun.
ellis, Estate and subordinaie,) or member
IN the nonslayebolding States, who have
rejected the American platform Of Nation.
al Council on the slavery issues. and hoi,,