True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-11-26
Principles Of the American Council,
OF Steubenville, Ohio,

WE, whose names are hereunto subscribed,
do hereby adopt, and agree to be governed in
our political action, by the following princi
pies -
lst. None but Americans to rule America.
I'd. The Union must be preserved.
Sd. No Foreign interference in American
affairs.
4th. No union of Church and State.
5th. Inviolability of National Treaties.
9Th. Personal morality indispensable to
office.
7th. An open. Bible, without note or com.
ment, in all our Public Schools.
9Th. Thorough reform of the Naturalization
Laws.
9th. A capitation tax that will exclude
foreign paupers and convicts.
10th. No appointment Of foreigners on
diplomatic posts.
llth. Strict economy in the administration
of the Government
18th. No interference with the right of cti
zenship already acquired by foreigners, and
the protection Of law TO all who immigrate
from love OF liberty, but uncompromising
opposition to Political Catholicism, whether
in the person Of an American demagogue, OF
a foreign Ecclesiastical Despot.
In such Americanism as is set forth in
the above declaration Of principles, there
is nothing sectional or iliberal, nothing
exclusive, sectarian, or unjust. The
Americanism which is held in these pro.
positions to contain the true policy of our
Government, is confirmation strong as
proofs of Holy Writ" to The judicious
practice of the benevolen, sentiment, that
America should ever be the asylum of the
oppressed. For we'll does every intelli-
gent man know, that the only way by
which to continue America the refuge of
the down-trodden Of the nations oppress-
ed by tyrants, is to preserve her free from
the control Of all the elements by which
those nations have been trodden down.
This we hold to'be a self-evident PROPOSE
ton. Is America destined to be the light
of the political world ? Then must she
trim the lamp of her destiny with her
own hands. Is America designed by
Providence to be the salt of the political
world! Then must she hold forever pure
the SAVIOR of her birlhright We are not
disposed to hide our Americanism under
bushel, nor sell our Inheritance for a
mess of pottage. The cup wherewith
we pledge our faith to the world, should
be the cup of Jacob, and not Of Esau.
From this day henceforth. on all our
banners, on all our escuteheons, should
shine forth the declaration " None but
americans shall rule .America!"
This sublime sentiment must be openly,
boldly, and fearlessly proclaimed. Ii
moves as steadily 10 the impulses of the
heart of every true friend of America, as
lhe needle moves to the pole. Let it 60
forth, then, through the length and
breadth o! the land. Let it be published
upon the house tops let it be read as
was the sacred law Of old, in the market
places of the people.
1t is with US no new-fangled doctrine
no Iatter-day article of faith; no eleventh
hour plank in the platform no moderr
shibboletl.
We rejoice. yea, and we will rejoice, ii
the onward march of that great sentiment
lei who W i'll embrace il, and let who viii
oppose. There il stands in all its origi
nal grandeur and beauty. The tinsel o
aatlely and the insignia Of power canno
add one cubit TO its stature nor can sian
der and envy, malice and revenge. mar it
fair proportions, nor move it from it
deep foundations. As Americans, all ou
dearest memories Of the past, all our bes
enjoyments of the present, all our cher
ishcd hopes of the future, are garnered uI
in this. The sons of America are fit Il
rule their own country; and by the hell
of Almighty God, they will rule it to Ih'
end of time.
-" Tell our invaders this and tell them too
We seek no change, and least Of all such chang
As they would bring u.s."
+ America owes it not only TO herself
but to the exile, too, that she should holC
in her own grasp the covenants Of he
power. Our country is well called th'
home of the oppressed, not the strong
hold Of outlaws. sIt is the house Of th'
pilgrim and the wanderer, not the castl'
where the malcontents may concoct thei
schemes Of war. 1t is the field for hon
est enterprise, for peaceful labor, for vir
tuous repose, not the pyrotechnic labora
tory where masked engineers, skilled il
their foreign plots against foreign tyranis
may manufacture their wild torpedoes
and launch their internal machines.
Are we enemies to the foreigner becaus,
we telI him these vital truths I No; Nv