The Empire County argus., 1856-10-11
For the Empire County Argus.
DIAMOND SPRINGS, Oct. l

DIAMOND SPRINGS, Oct. 10, 1856
MEssRs EDITORS A correspondent of a paper
dated "Placervile, Sept. 27" commences his commu-
ncation with this question "What policy is to be
followed out by the American party?" and after a
hgh-hown dissertation upon the "mushroomike rap
idty" with which the American party sprang into
existence and its present sinking decay" he answers
the interrogatories to suit himself Now as am ma
turay good natured well disposed individual and
not at all inclined to quarrel with any person, will
in "spirit of Kindness, point out some errors in the
communication above alluded to and at the same
time endeavor to show that the writer was not per-
sonaHy to blame for those mistakes.
In the first place, 20" does not hail from any par
tcular locality To some persons, this would be a
stumper they would "give it up" in despair. But it
does not trouble me in the least do not even ask,
"Whar does he come from?" or "Who does he belong
to-" But 1 say right out openly and above-board
ted on the underground railroad" His duties con-
fine him there, and consequently he could not leave
his station, he was obliged to found his communca
ton upon hearsay The date of the communication
is also mystery. Did l say date? 1t has none ;
and l should Immediately pronounce it an 'ancient
composition" were it not that certain assertions con-
ained therein remind me very forcibly of the "ater
day style of argument. The "policy of the Amer
can party" has always been, and will ever be, nation
al and conservative with view to the perpetuty of
the Union, now and forever That policy will be fol-
lowed out For the basis of the American party,
will refer to the National American Platform, adopt
ed at Philadelphia, February %, 1856, the third
article of which says that "Americans must rule
America" We have distinguishing name, and this
is the distinguishing principle. That "O," during the
whirlpool of excitement" overlooked that principle
dcnied-for it is not only national but ma
tural; it is innate in the bosom of every American
and even before the organization of the American
party, every true American belonged so far prin-
cipes are concerned to what is now the only national
party in the field. 1t is not then in my opinion, ul,-
reasonable to suppose, that the American party will
exist as long the name is known and reverenced.
AS party we do not as 90" intimated, dodge any
issue or any question, of national Importance. l
admit that we have got no railroad plank in our plat
form but we have got what is much better, viz: a
candidate for the Presidency, who has always been in
favor of Pacific Railroad. Vide his introduction of
the measure in almost every message during his ad-
minstration. How does the Democratic party stand
upon this question? They have no railroad plank in
their PLATFORM and at the same time assert that they
have. If they had dozen, would they not be null
and void, so long that little plank" remains that
has inscribed upon it, Congress has constitutional
power, &c?'-and particularly, when one of the scar
dnal principles" of the Democratic party is, opposi-
tion to internal improvements by the General Gov
ernment.
The Republican party has railroad plank in its
platform Have we any guarantee that the road will
be built, because the subject is embodied in their
platform? None at all it may be a mere election
eering trick. 1t will be easy to say railroad until
after election. They may never whisper the word
again. l consider the position of the American par
ty, upon the slavery question, as clearly defined by
their National Platform the sixth article of which
reads as follows:
"The unqualified recognition and maintenance of
the reserved rights OF the several States and the cu
tvatlon OF harmony and fraternal goodwill between
the citizens OF the several States, and to this end,
nonlnterlerence by Congress with questions apper-
tanning solely to the individual States and no-inter-
venton by each State with the affairs of any other
State
The seventh article, says in regard to Territories
"The recognition of the right of the native born
and naturazed citizens of the United States pcrma-
nently residing in any Territory thereof to frame
their Constitution and Laws, and to regulate their
domestic and social affairs in their own NODES subject
only to the provisions of the Federal Constitution,
&C."
This then, believe to be the true position of the
American party upon the question of slavery in the
Territories; that Congress has no power to legisate
upon the subject" and that at the time of the adms
sion of u Territory into the Union as State, the
bona residents of that Territory and they alone,
have the right to say whether that State shall be free
or slave.
In conclusion, will say that while the American
party is not neutral it is conservative; and this of
itself is a-sulicent to prevent any of its members
from joining sectional party against the South, or
an equally sectional one against the North
TROPNEVAD.
The DEMOCRATIC MEETING ON WEDNESDAY Eve
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