Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-16

Our Principles.

Our Principles.
First. We shall advocate q repeal of the
laws of naturalization, or if that cannot be ac-
complished. then such modification Of those
laws, as win prevent future immigrants from
becoming citizens, short of residence Of
twsnty-one years, after taking the oath Of ale
glance to the United States, and Of a5juration
Of all other powers, potentates, and princes.
Second. We shall advocate the passage of a
stringent law by Congress to prevent the Inn
migration hither Of foreigners, who are either
pGupers or criminals, and to send back to the
countries from which they come, an such for
eigners Of these classes as may, in violation Of
such law, hereafter reach our ports; and to
require the President Of the United States to
demand from any government, which may
send hither such classes Of its subjects, imns-
aiate and ample sativaction for such outrage,
and proper indemnity against the repetition
thereof
Third. We shall oppose the election or ap-
pointment Of any Joroign-5orn citizen to any
office Of trust honor or emolument, under the
Federal or State governments, or the employ
ment or enlistment Of such persons in the army
or navy in time Of ,oar maintaining, as we
do the opinion, that the natioe-6oyn citizens Of
the United States have the right to govern the
land of their birth; and that all immigrants
from abroad should be content with the enjoy
mcnt Of life, liberty and property, under our
institutions, without seeking to participate in
the enaction, administration, or execution Of
our laws.
Fbnrth. We shall advocate and urge the
adoption of such an amended form Of an oath
to support the Constitution Of tho United
States, and to be administered to all persons
elected or appointed to any Office Of trust, honor,
or cmolument under the Federal or State gov
ernments, as viii effcctually exclude from such
offices all persons, whe shall not directly and
erplicit1y recognise the obligations and bind
ing force Of the Constitution of the United
States, as paramount to all obligations of adhe-
sion or allegiance to any foreign prince, power,
potentate, or authority whatever, under any and
all circumstances
Fifth. We shall maintain the doctrine that
no one Of the States of this Union has the right
to admit to the enjoyment of Jres suffrage any
person oftoreign birth, who has not been FIRST
made citizen of the United States, according
to the " uniform rule" of naturalization pre-
scribed by Congress, under the provisions Of
the constitution.
SictA We shall oppose, now and hereafter,
any union Of Church and State no matter
what class Of religionists shall seek to bring
about such union
SecentA. We shall vigorously maintain the
pested rights of all persons, of native or orsign
birth, and shall at all times oppose the slightest
interference with such vested rights.
/. Eighth. We shall oppose and protest against
all a6ridsment of religious liberty, holding
it as a cardinal maxim, that religious faith is 4
question between each individual and his God,
and over which no political government orother
human power, can rightfully exercise any s,i-
pervision or control, at any time, in any place,
or in any form.
Ninth We shall oppose all "higher law"
doctrines, by which the constitution is to be set
Ct nought, violated, OF disregarded, whether by
politicians, by religionists or by the adherents
or followers Of either or by any other class Of
persona '.
Tenth We shall maintain and defend the
constitution as il stands, the Union as It ex-
lists, and the rights of the States, without di-
minution as guaranteed thereby: opposing at
all times, and TO the extent of our ability and
influence, all who may assail them, or either Of
them.
ElecsnM We shall oppose no man, and sus-
tain no man, on the ground Of his opposition
10, or his support Of, Democratic measures, or
Wing measures; but we shall oppose those who
oppose our doctrines, and sustain those who
sustain our doctrines Bee
Tsoeltth. And lastly, we shall use our utmost
exertions to build up an american party, y
whose maxim shall be:
AMERICANS SHALL RULE THEIR CoUrTRYi
AN ACT for establishing religious freedom, passed
In the Assembly of Virginia In the beginning Of
the yeasl7s6;
Well aware that Almighty God hath created the
mind free that all attempts to influence Il by tenn
poral punishments or burdens, or by civil incapa-
citations, tend only TO beget habits Of hypocrisy
and meanness, and are departure from the plan
of the Holy Author Of our religion who, being Lord
both Of body and of mind, yet chose not to prop
agate by coercions either, as was in his almighty
power TO do; that the impious presumption Of leg
isatures and rulers civil as wen as ecclesiastical
who, being themselves but hllible and uninspred
men, have assumed dominion over the faith of
others, setting up their own opinions and modes Of
thinking as the only true and infable, and as such
endeavoring 10 impose them upon others, hath es-
tablished and maintained false religions over the
greatest part Of the world, and through all tine ;
that TO compel man TO furnish contributions Of
money for the propagation Of opinions which he
disbeieves, is sinful and tyranncal that even the
forcing him to support this or thatteaoher Of his
own religious persuasion is depiving him Of the
comfortable liberty Of giving his contributions
to the particular pastor whose morals he would
make bis pattern, and whose powers he feels most
persuasive torghteousness, and is Withdrawing from
the ministry those temporal rewards, which, pro-
oeeding from an appreciation Of their personal CON
duct, are an additional incitcment TO earnest and
unremitting abors for the instruction OF mankind
that our civil rights have dependence on our re-
ligious opinions more than our opinions in physics
or geometry; that, therefore, the prescribing Of
any citizen as unworthy the public confidence by