Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-03-28

FRIDAY, MARCH IS, 1856.
rhe RirhI PInlforn..

The Right Platform.
We have repeatedly alluded to certain pro-
sentative features in the platform of the
American party of this State, as forming
bar to the cooperation of all the oppo-
pen,s Of Slavery extension in the ensuing
Presidential contest, if the determination
should be persisted IN of making adherence
70 such extreme native" sentiments con-
dition OF such co operation. To illustrate
this, we have pointed to the American plat
forms of other States. where Americanism
and Republicanisn have walked baud in
hand. winning common victory on substan-
TALLY the same platform of principles, as evil
dence of the good policy of relaxation Of
the stringent doctrines CT q Americanism,"
which are deeaed to bear so heartily upon
our emigrant population. In Maine, New
Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and 9TH
er States, this good policy of harmony and
concession prevails, as we have before shown,
to such an extent as TO make The combined
action Of these two parties almost a unit
at their elections. In Wisconsin, and other
Western States, the creed of the American
party admits protestant foreigners into its
COUNCILS, and is otherwise liberia, and the cleo
ton of Republican Governor is the result
At the recent session of the American
council of Ohio. to take into consideration
the Philadelphia platform and nominations,
both were formally repudiated in toto, by a
vote Of 81 to 46. and the following resolu-
tons. among Others, passed, which show the
readiness of the great mass of the party in
that State 10 eo-operate with the Republicans
end Others in the coming Presidential strug-
gle, on the same platform on which they went
into the last State election, and chose Chase
and Ford Governor and Lieut.. Governor:
q Slavery is local, not national We oppose
its extension into any of our Territories, and
the increase Of its political power, by the ad-
mission, into the Union, of any Slave States
or otherwise; and we demand Of the General
Government an immediate redress of the great
wrongs which have been inflicted upon the
cause Of Freedom and the American ehaTac-
ter by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise,
and the introduction of Slavery into Kansas
in violation of law. by the force of arms, and
the destruction Of the elective franchise.
ResolDed, That we hereby declare our readi-
ness to cooperate with any political party
pledged to sustain those great principles of
freedom which underlie our political institu.
tons, and to restore to the North those rights
of which she was unjusty deprived by the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise of 1920,
and to resist all other encroachments af Slave
ny upon Freedom
And their liberal spirit on the "American''
issue was shown in their declaration, that they
propose no prescription on account of birth or
creed, but aceleome er'les and Immigrants from
other lands to free participation in the benefits
of American institutions, and the prioileges of
american citizenship, with such restrictions as
are needful to make sure that those who avail
themselves of this liberality understand and
will defend these institutions against all ag-
gressions, civil or ecclesiastical"
The wide difference between such declar-
alton as this and the proscriptive spirit shown
in requirement Of residence of twenty one
years before the naturalization of foreigners, is
manifest. No one will object to such " re-
strictions as are neeful," to properly PIE.
pare the immigrant for citizenship, to pre-.
serve the purity of the ballot box, &c., but this
object Is accomplished rather in taking the
foreigner by the hand and educating him than
by prescribing him--rather in offering him in
ducements to become citizen, and make him
self respected among us, than by removing
from him all hope of mingling in our political
institutions, until be shall have become old
enough to drop into his grave. To say that
an extension of the term of naturalization he
yond Ave or seven years. is necessary, tor the
furtherance of true American" interests, or
principles, betrays an alarming ignorance of
our institutions. which we ore happy to sec
finds no foothold in the great West. The ma
terial interests of that growing section, as well
as sound political policy, forbid any such idea.
And the same will be found equally true of
all sections of the country, in the long run.