Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-03-12
From the Savannah ga Republican, March 9th.
The New American Platform,


Pursuant to a promise made some DAYS ago. we
proceed to offer some suggestions upon the action
of the recent American Conventions The first was
called for the purpose of agreeing upon platform
of principles to be submitted to the people at the
next presidential election and the second for the
nomination of candidates for President and Vice
President of United States We shall confine our
remarks for the present to the platform, at least
such portions of it may be deemed necessary to
elucidate the position of the American party upon
the most important of questions now agitating the
public mind.
The new platform, with two exceptions does not
vary materially from that laid down by the Grand
Council Of June, 1855.
The first exception consists in the abrogation OF
Sth article of the old platform which declared ere
sstance to the aggressive policy of the Roman
Catholic Church" Justly interpreted, this article
was never deserving the abuse that has been heap
ed upon it, yet it rendered the party obnoxious
TO the charge OF religious prescription, whether
justly or not glad it has been stricken
from the platform. The following has been substi
tuted in its place
9Th No person should be selected for political
station, whether of native foreign birth,) who
recognises any allegiance obligation of any des-
cription to any foreign prince potentate or power
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions leach within its sphere) paramount
Taking it for granted, Roman Catholics were
admitted to seats il the convention that the above
positions correct. We would state, in connection
that we oppose to any interference with the
religious relations subss.ing between the citizens
and the head of his church, let that head be loca
ted where il may. So far, then, We may consider
the action OF the convention on this point gain to
the platform Of the party.
The point, though; to which the public attention
has been mainly directed, is the action Of the con.
vention on the subject OF slavery. This was & vi
tai contingency at the South and upon their deter
mination rested the future existence of the party
as a national organization. The convention threw
overheard the celebration Twelfth Section Of the
June platform, and adopted another in its stead.
This movement has been much complained of at.
the South, but to determin its merits it is ueces
sary to understand fully what has been overthrown
aud what set up and established in its place. The
twelfth article which has been repudiated, after
declaring that the party not responsible for
the obnoxious acts and violated pledges OF either"
Of the old political parties, aud expressly porter
hitting any expression Of opinion upon the pow
er Of Congress TO establish or prohibit slavery ia
shy Territory" proceeds to lay down the entire
position OF the party on the question of slavery in
the following words:
1.-THE National Council has deemed Il the best
guarantee OF common justice and of future peace
TO abide by aud maintain tie existing laws upon
the subject OF slavery, final aud conclusive
settlement ohhat subject in spirit and in substance
Il will thus be that the June platform eX
presses no opinion whatever upon the proper mode
article refers only to civil allegiance, we think its
Of disposing Of the question Of slavery In the Ter.
rtories, and merely agrees TO abide by the legisla
ton that already exists on that subject.
Now let us come TO the platform aud see
what IL SAYS on this question We have been as
founded TO see il graVely asserted by respectable
editors in many portions Of the country, that the
late convention wholly ignored" the slavery ques-
ton and gave il the go by Il will be seen that
they did no such thing. but TO the contrary took
up the question and declared their opinions upoC il
with holiness to which, we regret TO say IL, the
South, aided by the constitution aud truth, has
never before been able to force the party. After
declaring Ia favor OF 'non-interIerence by Congress
with questions apperiAnng solely 10 the individual
State, and non.nterventio By each State with the
affairs OF any other State the convention proceeds
to lay down the following doctrine upon slavery as
connected with the Territories:
7th. The recognition Of the right Of the Hafise
born and RafKTalized eii of he UHiied States,
permanently residing in any Territory thereof.
10 gress ir cOasfifsfiOa aud lara, AID 10 regulate
their domestic aud social sairs 81 lleir o,ra mode
EHtjet only 20 she pEOsisioHs Of tie Federal COHsti
tuition, lrith tie privilege Of adRiAsiOs iAfo n.
Union Ae'erxr thew kape he reqsisits opNlaliOa for
one Represealafips IN Congress.
Now what Is the plain and obvious meaning OF
this langurges To our mind il contains a clear,
direct add anequ,voeal assertion % tie doctrine Of
nOninseFveBtion, and full endorsement OF the
kansAs~Nebraska act, with soitary exception.
and that the clause allowing uenataraizsd loFeign
ers TO vote at eIeciiona We can make nothing
elss oat OF u. and DEFY any else 20 give Il .
difference construction.
Upon the great issue nov before the country
they are expieis and 20 the point aeclas Tag thai
the people Of the Territories have alone, the pow.
er to control their domestic iasttntious. What
ever else may be alleged against the American
convention, she South can have no complaint
against them 90 this qaeslioa for they have march.
"a holds 90 10 our own line. and stand side BY
side eth ss In the stFnegels ios noa~nteFvension
AvisgIsIa Postmaster has been lnquiring Of the
department. thu msaning Of The Htlle spieiaFes
stnek 90 the letter." and another efEsisl m iosa
desired the Department 10 sustain him 10 deci-
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