Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-06-21
THE AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL.
Its Adjournment
THE PLATFORM OF THE ORDER.

The National Council OF the Know Moth
ings adjourned on Friday evening 10 meet in
New York on the first Tuesday in June next.
The principal matter Of interest in the re-
port of the closing sessions is The platform and
principles of the organization, as adopted
We extract from them:
The cultivation and development OF a sem
timent of profoundly intense American feeling
of passionate attachment 10 our country, lis
history and It's institutions OF admiration for
the purer days OF our national existence /; oil
veneration for the heroism that precipitated
the revolution; and of emulation of the virtue,
wisdom aud patriotism that framed our consii-
tuition, and first successfully applied its pro-
visions.
The maintenance OF the union Of these Uni
ted States as the paramount political good or
Ia the language of Wasl 'gton' ";he primary
object Of patriotic desire"
The full recognition OF the rights OF The sew
eral States, as expressed and reserved in the
constitution, and q careful avoidance by the
general Government Of all interference with
their rights by legislative or executive actions.
Obedience to the constitution OF these Uni
led States as the supreme law Of The land, sa-
credg obligatory upon all lis parts and mem.
beers: and Steadrast resistance 10 the spirit Of
innovation upon its principles, however sre-
cious the p~retexts. Avowing that in all doubt
full or disputed points, it may only be legally
aScertained and eSpounded by the judicial
power of the United States.
A radical revision and modification of the
laws regulating immigrn'ion,and the settlement
of immigrants. Offering TO the honest immi
grant who, from owe Of liberty or hatred OF
oppression, seeks an asylum in the Uniteu
States, a friendly reception and protection;
but unqualiiedly condemniIg the transmission
to our shores Of felons and poupers.
The essential modification Of the naturaliza-
lion laws.
Tie repeal by The Legislatures OF the re
~snectiye States OF al! State law allowing for
~eigners naturalized 10 vote.
The repeal, without retro active operation,
of all acts Of Congress making grants Of land
to unnaturalized foreigners, and allowing them
10 vote in the Territories.
Hostility 10 the corrupt means by which the
leaders of p9rty have hitherto forced upon our
rIlers and our political creedS.
Resistance 10 the aggressive policy and cor
rupt tendencies Of tie Roman Catholic Church
in our country by the advancement Of all po.
lilical administrative, legislative, judicial
or diplomatic-of those only who 10 not hold
civil allegiance, directly or indirectly, 10 any
foreign power whether civil or cecil '%iaStical,
and who are Americans by birth, education
and training thus fulfilling the maxim,
"AmericanS only shall govern America"
The protection of oil citizens in the legal and
proper exercise of their civil and religious
rights and privileges the maintenance Of the
right OF every man 10 the full, unreStrained
and peaceful enjoyment Of his own religious
opinions and worship aud a jealous resist
ance OF ali attempts by any sect, denomination
or church 10 obtain an asccndency over any
other. il tic SAFE, u Means Of any special
privileges or exemption, by any political com
binailon Of lis members, or by a division OF
their civil allegiance with any foreign power,
potentate and ecclesiastical.
The education OF the youth OF our county
in schools provided by the State, which
schools shall be common l. all, without dis
"tinction of creed or party, or free from any in
huencc Of q denominatiOnal or partisan char
acter,
And, inasmuch as Christianity by the con
s~titutions of nearly all The States, by the de-
ciSionS of Tho most eminent judicial a%uthori-
ties, and by the consent oftbe people OF Amer
lea, is cons idered an element Of our political
system ; and as the Holy Bible is al once the
source of Christianity, and the depository and
fountain Of all civil and religious freedom, we
oppose every attempt 10 exclude it from the
schools thus established in the States.
Regarding it the highest duty 10 avow theif
opinions upol a subject so important, in dis
t,nct and unequivocal terms, ii is hereby de-
clared as the sense of this National Council,
that Congress possesses no power under the
constitution, 10 l~egislate upon the subject Of
slavery in the States where it does or may tx
iSt, or 10 exclude any State from admission
into the Union, because its constitution does
+ or does not recognize the institution Of slavery
as o part Of its social system md expressly
p, prelermitting any expression Of opinion upon
the power Of Congress t, establish or prohibit
slavery in any Territory; it is the sense Of lie
T National Couacil that Congress ought moi &c
! l~egislale on the subject of slavery within lie
territories Of the United States, and that aui
. interference by Congress with slavery as tex,
+ ISIS in the District Of Columbia, would be
e violation Of the spirit, and intention Of tht
compact by whichth State Of Maryland ceGe,
the district 10 the United States, and brencl
Of the national faith.
This National Council declares that all th,
principles Of the Order shall be hencefoiw0r
openly avowel; and that each member shal
g be at liberty 10 make known the existence o
" the Order, and the fact that lie himself IS
member and it recommends that there be n
u co]ncealment Of re places Of meeting Of sub
ordinate Councils.