American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-02-16

And, lnasmuch as Christianity, by the .
Constitutions Of nearly all the States; by tho |
decisions OF the most eminent judicial au. |
thorities; and by the consent OF the people !
OF America, is considered on element Of our |
political system, and us the Holy Bible is |
at once the source Of Christianity: and the
depository and fountain Of all civil and rel.
gouS freedom, we oppose every attempt to
exclude il from the schools thus established
in the States. a
&ll.--The American party having arisen
upon the ruins and in spite of the opposition
OF the Wing aud Democratic parties, cannot
De held IN any manner responsible for the
obnoxious acts or violated pledges OF either.
And the systematic agitation OF the slavery
question by both those parties having ele-
waited sectional hostility into positive ele-
ment OF political power, and brought our in-
sti,utions into peril, it has heretofore become
the imperative duty Of the American party
to in,erpose, for the purpose OF giving peace
to the country and perpe,uity to the Union.
And as experience has shown it impossible
| TO reconcile opinions so extreme as those
which separate the disputants, and as there
can be no dshonorin submitting 10 the laws
the National Council has deemed il the best
| guarantee of common Justice and future
| peace, to abide by and maintain tho existing
| Jaws upon the subject of slavery, as u final
and conclusive settlement of that subject, in
| spirit and in substence.
! Aud regarding il the highest duty to avow
their opinions upon y subject so important,
| in distinct and unequivocal Terms, il is here.
by declared as the sense of this National
Council that Congyess posseses no power un-
der the CONSTITUTIONS, to leSislato upon the
subject of slavery in the States where it does
or may exist, or exclude any State from adj
mieson into the Union because its Constitu-
ton dae5 or does not recognize the instiu.
ton OF slavery as 4 part OF lis social q, stem;
and especially pie,erIniiing any expression
OF opinion nronlhe power of Congress- to es
taSlsh or prohibit slavery in any Territory
il is the sense OF the National Council thai
Congress ought ao, TO !egislate upon The
subject of slavery within the Territory Of IN,
United States, aud that any interference b,
Congress with slavery, as it exists in th'
District of Columbia, would be Violation
OF the spirit and intention of the compac
by which the State OF Maryland ceded In,
District 10 the United States, ard breach
of tie National faith.
Aii.--The policy of the Government o
the United States, IN its relations with For
eisn governments, lis 20 exact justice from
the strongest, and do justice to the weakest
restraining, by al. tie power Of the Govern
ment, all its citizens fro.a Interference wit
the internal conCep.s 81 nations with when
we are 81 Peace. E.
XIV.-This'National Council declares tina
oil the principlesof the Order shall be henc,
forward every where openly avowed; az
, that each member shall be at tie liberty {
make known the existence Of the Order, an,
the fact that aashimcalf is member; and i
! recommends that tlare bs no conceament q
the pieces OF meeting of the Snbordius.
> Councils.
L. B. BARTLETT, of Kentucky
Piesidentof tie National Coua ci
s G. D. DGsuLea, Of New jersey.
+ Corresponding Secretary.
$ JAAEs IL. STErHEEG, OF Maryland
, e.. necOrdinr Spcrc.e-y