Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-25
From the N. o. Picayune.
Americanism in the Soufh.

We have lately taken occasion to dwell often
and at length upon the necessity of certain reforms
in the administration Of 'our general and State
governments, and have hailed with some earnest.
ness the movements in that direction of party
which has declared its principles openy and plain
y upon most Of the important points upon which
reform Is expedient. Thus far, the more consde-
rable results of the organization Of the new party
have taken place in other sections of the Union,
and there have been mingled with them some 9TH
ers that, to many Of our Southern contemporaries,
have seemed TO be even more deleterious than the
old evils themselves.
) But we have held, and we think with reason,
that these are but the tares sown with the pure
wheat which, If left alone till the harvest may be
easily distinguished, and then without difficulty
eradicated; but If now attempted TO be weeded
out win peril the good grain sown with them We
think that there Is enough m the platform of the
American party to furnish good aud permanent
foothold for the friends of reform and so believing,
we have been willing to give il q trial.
We have had ample proof Of the fact that the
American party bases itself distinctly on the basis
Of the constitution, and that ii is nothing more
decidedly an American party than in its advocacy
Of the invioabe rights Of the several States of the
Union. II could not be more clear, decided, dis
tinct, and unmistakable than il has been in this
declaration Of It's principles.
We are glad TO see that the friends of the new
movement are coming out, here and there, in this
section OF the country, and laying down the prin-
ciples upon which they are willing, nay, determin-
ed TO fight the battle In the coming contest.
With them, we advocate such modification
Of the naturalization laws win remedy the exist
ing evils growing out Of the came or, In case the
purity Of the elective franchise cannot be other
wise preserved, their repeal. Then We are in favor
Of the stringent law to prevent the immigration to
this country Of pauper and criminal foreigners /;
and at the same time we are in favor OF the most
vigorous maintenance and defence of the vested
rights Of all persons, whether they be natives or
foreign born.
We favor the principle Of the new party that
Americans should rule America, believing that to
be cardinal feature Of the American system, and
we, at the same time, in the language Of southern
contemporary, "oppose and protest against all
abridgment of religious liberty, holding IL al a
cardinal maxim, that religious faith Is a question
between each individual aud his God" With the
same contemporary, too, We are In favor of main
tanning and defending the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States as il is the Union as II was intended by
our fathers and the rights Of the States, without
dimnution insisting upon, and demanding faith
ful performance by the General Government Of all
the duties enjoined upon Il by that constitution.
This weundcrstand TO be good American doctrine
and the doctrine Of the American. party. What
fault can possibly be found with III
we may OF course, expect TO see II opposed by
those who advocate the policy Of the parties which
10 opposes, and is designed expressly TO defeat
And we have been thus explicit in putting forth
our understanding Of what the Southern interpre.
tation OF Americanism IL, because just at this mo-
ment we see jealous and desperate effort making
70 prejudice the new movement by assocating with
il some Objectionable features that for privatoand
partisan purposes, have been connected with II IN
other parts Of the country.
As FAR AZ IL Il national, constitutional, patriotic
and unsectional, we are in favor Of IL. And so
far il Is neither Of these, we have no fears that
IL can have sway in this Republic. ekt