Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-01-15
American State Council.


American State Council
II is understood that the American State Council
assemblies in this city to-day but from the charac
ter Of the weather for the past days, and the
consequent difficulty and danger of travelling,
presume there will be but a thin attendance of dele
gates But whether few or many be present it is
important IT the council tranSactS any business at
all that what is done shall be right in itself and
feet the sentiments of majority of the American
party of the State. We have only one or two sug-
geSuonS TO make upon this subject, which are dcta-
ted by two considerations only, to wit sense OF
public duty. and earnest wish to advance the IN
teresls Of the American party, aud promote the
cess of those great and comprehensive national prin-
oiples which the cornerstone of its creed
In the first place, then we respectfully call the
attention Of the council to the recommendations ct
the Lymchburg conv ention which, We are gratihed
10 saw have met with the almost unanimous appro-
val of the American press and voters of Virginia
One of those recommendations is 10 this eect-that
the secrecy ceremonies Of initiation oaths, obliga-
uons and all the other ioolery and fummery ofthe
der. be abolished. We suppose there will be no differ
ence of opinion nregar to the proprety and policy OF
this recommendation. All now admit the necessity
of dispensing with these obnoxious features of tn
old Know Nothing organization, and all without eN
ception are in favor Of open meetings open discus
sions and open nominations. Ia word, the uni
versal desire is that the American party should III
all these respects put itself upon the exact footing
occupied by all other political parties, which have
ever existed in this country.
Taking il for granted then, that this rccommcn-
dation will be sanctioned and approycdby the Conn
ellis we suggest further that this matter should be
the first IN be considered and that Immediately there
upon the doors OF the Convention be thrown wide
omen 10 the admission of every body, friend or Toe,
who may choose to attend and witness It's debe'a
tions And if the rooms in this city usually employ
ed for the meetings of he Council are not sufficient
IL commodous for the accommodation Of delegates
and spectators both as presume they are not lei
the Convention adjourn 10 the African Church, ami
thus afford the public a chance &c Ice present and 10
see and hear or themselves.
The last suggestion We have to make IS thst the
public sentiment of the American party in Nirgini
REQUIRES the prompt and emphatic endorsement 81
the 18th section Of the Philadelphia platform. ",
will not permit ourselves 10 entertain the shghte-
suspicion tlst the state Council viii prove recreanl
to It's duty on this point We know that, OUTSIDE
of the small, misunderstanding, contemplate Bots
elioue in this city. the opinion is almost unanimoa
in favorof the 18th section and that if the State
Council should dare to repudiate that section, tn,
American voters of the State would promptly rcTu
diate IT, But we have 40 fears Ola this score what
ever The l2th SECTION will be endorsed and tn,
'ignoriug" Mr. Bolts told, in so many words, tha
he T., u dis.urbcr Of the peace and harmony OF tn'
party, an aililiator and sympahiscr with the Bs'l
Republicans OF the North traitor 10 the rights au,
honor of the South and unworthy either the conf
denc, or III, respect Of Southern and Southern
gentlemen.
10 refresh the recollections Of readers and L,
let the world again see what we and those Wild
whom We act are contcnding for, append the l2ui
section Of the Philadelphia platform, IS follows
.'XlI-The American parts having arisen upon the
ruins aud ia spite of the opposition OF the Wing an'
Democratic parties, cannot be in any manner responsible
for the obnoxious violated pledges Of either. AM
the systematic agitation OF the slavery question by tu>
parties having elevated sectional hostility into positive
element OF political power, and brought institutions
INTO peril. t has therefore become the imperative dut
Of the American party 10 interPose for tile purpose
giving peace the country and perpetuy 10 tue Union
And a. experience. has shown it impossible to reconcile
opinions those which separate the d~pu
taut- AMI there De di,hOnOr IN submitting e.
the laws the National Council ha- deemed 1t the Toe
guarantee Of common justice aud O future peace 20 uud
hy aud maintain the existing Laws upon the subject u
slavery ~ final and conclusive settlement Of HAT -u
ect iu spirit and iu substance.
Aud regarding it the highest duty to avow th"
opinions ulOu subject important distinct aud 200
eauyocnl terms IL is hereby declared the ui t
National Council that Congress Possesses power.
der the Constitution, to icg-ate upon the subject Of slave
~ in the States where IL does may exist or 20 eXciul
nny State from admission into tho DnOn because 3
Constitution does does recognise tine institute,
of slavery - a part Of it, social system; and expires
pretermting any expression Of opinion upon the POI"
of Couerrs. TO establish prohibit slavery iu any Ter
tory ui. the seu., National Council that Congo
ought lrgi-iatr upon iLs subject Of slavery with
the Teritors the United Stltrs aud that any iuictit
ence bv Congress with Slavery &c exist. BOO the Di-tI
OF Columbia would be violation Of the spiit aud iut-
ton Vi the compact Dy which the State Of Maryland ccd
the District 10 the United states and breach OF the
tioual faith