Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-01-18
Ap,ychbur0 EfrNtaiam.
The American Patty

the subjects which engage their attention, but
presume the most important are embraced in the
propositions submitted by the convention of the
10Th October, held in this city. These were the
afir,nance of tho Philadelphia platform, with a
special approval Of the 18th section--and re-
commendaton that all oaths, obligations and
ceremonies Of initiation be disused, and the par.
~ be organized on tbs basis. and in conformity
with the usages, of other political parties in the
State. We hope the Council will carry out
these suggestions to the letter. and thus rid the
party Of all that is obnoxious about it. We
never yet have seen a man that could make n rea-
sonable objection to the fairly stated objects OF
the American party--but there was much IN tho
character Of its organization and the modes OF
its proceedings. which If not really objectona-
BILE. at least had the appearance Of being so. 1t
is right to be taught, even by an enemy, aud the
managers of the American party will show them
selves to have been very inapt scholars, it they
did not learn from their canvass in this Safe tho
proprie,y of dscontinuing their secret meetings
and sworn membership.
A paper put forth during the canvass in Penn
sylvania states very clearly what we consider
to be the leading objects of the American party.
The organization, according TO that authority,
sprung from conviction that both the old parties
of the country, especially the Democratic par
ty. in seeking 10 acquire power had given n
dangerous influence in the government 70 that
class of voters which known to be control
ed by priesthood. Against this insdous and
portentous element in our politics, there seemed
,al
resistance. The movement was, accordingly,
commenced. butt has never, either in its origin
or in its progress contemplated improper inter
ference with tho civil or religious rights of any
portion of the people, whether foreign or native.
Catholic or Protestant. For while leaving those
who may choose 10 make their political privileg-
es subservicnt to the requirements and interests
of church, entirely freeso act In that matter
agreeaby TO their own pleasure. the American
party merely undertakes 10 protest against such
a wrong and to render ii harmless by opposing
for public office all persons who will subordinate
their conduct and authority us citizens to the
service of hierarchy which has ever claimed TO
be supreme in civil, as well as in ecclesiastical
affairs, and which, for the purpose of enforcing
that pretenson, imposes ON its ministers and
subjects an allegiance superior to that which
they owe to the State. In this tho Americans
purpose to invade no mans franchises, but sim
ply assume the liberty to exercise their own,in
conformity with what they believe TO be a sol
emn and manifest duty. They did not in the be-
ginning nor do they now, desire to introduce re-
ligion into the arena of politics, but the
trary, to reprvbate and resist its introduction
They mean to prescribe no one politically on ac-
count of his religious faith and connections, but
only to preserve that separation between Church
and State which is a marked popularity. and an
elementary guarantee Of American constitution
al freedom. They who have attempted to des-
troy that distinction, not they who seeking
to maintain it, are amenable to censure,
As respects the adopted oitizens of the ooun-
try, the American party, as we understand its
policy, has no desire, even habit the power, to
deprive them Of any of tho privileges they enjoy
nor even to exclude them from civil positions in
the governments; except in so far they may be
obnoxious to the mputation of owing to foreign
potentate fealty Incompatible with their Loyalty
to the United States. But while it has no pur-
pose of opposition to them beyond this, j, holds
that the rights of citizenship are too easily ac-
gured, and that a Modification of the naturaliza-
ton laws is imperatvely demanded for the pre-
servaton of those libe ties and institutions which
should be equally dear to the hearts of oil who
are Americans either by birth or adoption. 1t
is not to be denied that while a large number Of
those who immigrate to this country from other
lands are persons Ofintelligence and virtue, desi
rous only to enjoy the blessings of frcer and
more binignant system of government than any to
which they have been subject, the U. States have
for years past been sort ofpenal colony for the
reception of the guilt and pauperism of Europe,
and that not few Of the very worst of tho out
casts of the prisoners and aims houses of the old
world are clothed here after five years residence,
with all the responsible prerogatives Of cit-
zenship. The evil is real and growing one,
of which we warned by every days expert
ence, and unless corrected, ii must be productive
of exceedingly fatal consequences to our socia
and political welfare. Our compassion for i'm
migrants. without distinction. is becoming prac
teal curse, that threatens to destroy the very
liberties to which it is thought so magnauimon'
to invite every yagabond upon tue earth, without
considering whether he be ft OF unfit to enjoy
them. 1t is time the American people had go
over this absurd aud pernicious sentimentality
1t is time they had ceased to convert the lazaro
nj and convicts of the world into full fedged den.
liens Of the Republic by term of probation toe
brief to prove whether man into whose soul the
spirit of u slave has been rooted by despotic dis
ciplins for third, or half Of his natural life, i.
capable Of the sovereignty to which We would ell
oyate him.
For quarter of a century, or more, there has
been too little Of q generous, comprehensive spir