Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-17

ourselves from foreign influence, political,
NJ or In whatever form it may be attempted
lesly withhold myself from joining in the
llos Dean that there were an ocean of lire
this and the old world '"--sJe6ersoa.
Ata regular meeting of the National Council, Of
the American Party, begun and held at Phiiadel-
phia, on the 5th of June, A. d., 1855, the fol-
loDing uas adopted as The Platform, and Prin-
cipfes of the Organization.
1.-The acknowledgment of that Almighty Be-
ing, who rules over the Universe, who presides
over the councils of nations,--who conducts the
affairs of men, and who, in every step by which
we have advanced to the character of an indepen-
dent nation, has distinguished by some token of
Proyidental agency.
1.-THE cultivation and development of SEN
timent of profoundly intense American feeling of
passionate attachment to our country, its history
and its institutions; of admiration for the purer
days OF our nat onal existence; of veneration, for
the heroism that precipitated our Revolution and
of emulation of the virtue wisdom, and patriotism
that framed our constitution and first successfully
applied its provisions.
IH.-The maintenance of the union Of these
United States as the paramount political good or,
to use the language Of Washington, the primary
object of patriotic desire" And hence
1st. Opposition to all attempts to weaken or
subvert it.
4 3D. Uncompromising antagonism to every prin-
ciple of policy that endangers it.
Sd. The advocacy of an equitable adjustment Of
all political differences which threaten its integrity
or perpetuity.
4th. The suppression of all tendencies to polti-
cal division, founded on geographical discrimi-
nations or on the belief that there is real differ
ence of interests and views" between the various
sections of the Union.
9th. The eull recognition Of the rights of the
several States, as expressed and reserved in the
Constitution; and careful avoidance, by the
General Government, of all interference with their
rights by legislative or executive action
IV.-Obedience to the Constitution of these Uni
ted States, as the supreme law Of the land, sacred
ly obligatory upon all its parts and membeS and
seadfast resistance to the spirit of innovation upon
its principles, however srecious the pretexts.
Avowing that in all doubtful or disputed points it
may only be legally ascertained and expounded by
the judicial power of the United States. II.
And, as a corolary to the above:
I. A habit of reverentia obedience to the law,
whether National, State, Municipal, until they
are either repealed declared unconstitutional by
the proper authority.
2. A tender and sacred regard for those acts of
statesmanship, which to be contrad stinguished
from acts of ordinary legislation, by the fact Of
their being of the nature of compacts and agree
ments and 30, to be considered fixed and settled
national policy.
VA radical revision and modification of the
laws regulating immigration, and the settlement of
immigrants. Offering to the honest immigrant who,
from love of liberty or hatred of oppression seeks
an asylum in the United States, friendly recep-
ton and protection. But unqualiRedly condemn
ing the transmission to shores Of felons and
paupers.
VL-The essential modification of the Natural
ization Laws.
The repeal by the Legislatures of the respective
States, Of all State laws allowing foreigners not
naturalized to vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation, of all
acts of Congress making grants of land to unnat-
uralized foreigners, and allowing them to vote in
the Territories
VII.-Hostility TO the corrupt means by which
the leaders of party have hitherto forced upon us
our rulers and our political creeds.
Implacabe enmity against the prevalent demoral-
izng system Of rewards for political subserviency,
and OF punishments for political independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office which char
acterizss the age.
These on the one hand. On the other -
Imitation Of the practice of the purer days OF
the Republic; and admiration of the maxim that
"office should seek the man, and not man the of
fce," and of the rule that, the just mode of ascer-
tanning fitness for Office is the capability, the faith
fulnese, and the honesty of the incumbent or can
didate.
VIII.-Resistance to the aggressive policy and
corrupting tendencies Of the Roman Catholic
Church in our country by the advancement to all
political stations-executive, legislative, judicial, or
diplomotic--of those only who do not hold civil
allegiance directly indirectly, to any foreign
power, whether civil or ecclesiastical, and who are
Americans by birth, education and training--thus
fulfilling the maxim: "ANERIcANs ONLY SHALL
GOVERN AMERICA"
The protection of all citizens in the legal and
proper exercise Of their civil and religious rights
and privileges the maintenance Of the right of
every man to the full, unrestrained and peaceful
enjoyment of his own religious opinions and wor-
ship, and jealous resistance of all attempts by any
sect denomination or church, TO obtain an ascen-
dency over any other in the State, by of any
special privileges or exemption, by any political
combination OF its members, or by division of
their civil allegiance with any foreign power, po-
tentate, or ecclesiastic.
K.-The reformation of the character Of our
National Legislature, by elevating to that digni6ed
and responsible position men Of higher qualifca-
tions, purer morals, and more unselfsh patriotism
X.--The restriction Of executive patronage, es
peci4l the matter of appointments to office so
far asY bay be permitted blythe Constitution, and
consistent with the public bd.
XI-The education Of the youth Of our country
In schools provided by the State; which schools
shall be common to all without distinction Of creed,