Daily American organ., 1856-02-27
From the Richmond American.
The New Platform.

The Democracy have practised upon tho prnci-
Pile of the celebrated French Diplomatist, that
words were given to enable us to conceal our ideas
until they have become adopts at equivoke, and
platforrnmaking is therefore emphatically the De
mocrdtic forte A.t
ANY intelligent and candid man who viii take
the trouble to read the Baltimore Democratic plat
form of 1852, and compare its professions with the
acts OF the administration and of Congress since
the Inauguration of President Pierce, cannot fail
that there is scarcely section which really
contains pledge in the whole batch Of Democratic
resolves which has not been shamelessly and re-
pcatedly violated by the party now in power. !,
THE scriptural rule, BY their fr4its ye shall
know them" furnishes far better test of the sin
cerity and reliabteness of parties, as well indi-
viduals, than the most solemn protestations can
possibly do) With implicit faith in the integrity
of the National American party, and confidently
relying on the majority of it members to carry out
in good faith the principle of dscountenancing the
further agitation Of the slavery question: by
lutely maintaining the laws of the United States as
they exist, we were Indifferent about the pledges
which the National Council might see proper to
adopt, because we knew that no article could be
ingrafted upon the American creed prejudicial to
the rights Of the South. But as it seems to have
been deemed by the National Council indiepensa-
bic to the future success of the party that we
should have q new platform, we are happy in being
aDie 10 Tue Americans Oh virginia up
the adoption of one which is to say the least of
it. unexceptonable, as far as it goes, upon the sec
tonal question.
Although more words are used than are neces-
sary to convey the ideas presented, the great
principles OF the party are distinctly announced.
The Roman Catholic disability, and secrecy fea-
lures are oblterated, and the party relieved from
the incubus of test oahs the right Of the citizers
of the Territories to frame" their own laws and
tbair ci.1 rala rIu@
the provisions and restrictions of the Federal Con-
stitution, is clearly recognised whilst the odious
heresy of "squatter sovereignty is distinctly re-
pudiated the right of a Territory to admission
into the Union whenever its population entities it
to a place in the Confederacy, with or without
slavery, is distinctly set forth, not as constitu-
tionai doctrine, but as principle founded on the
obligations ofjustice and good faith, and one by
which the members Of the party are solemnly
pledged to adide; radical change in the natu-
ralzation laws, SO as to exclude all paupers and
criminals, and to require a permanent residence
Of twenty-one years in the United States as pre-
requisite to naturalization, whilst the rights of
those who have already become citizens shall be
sacredy respected, and the exclusion Of foreigners
and persons acknowledging allegiance to any pow
or other than the Government of the United States
aud the State in which the party is citizen, are
emphatically reaffrmed as the basis Of the Amer
ican organization.
With such declaration Of principles, adopted
by the votes of majority of the delegates from
both sections of the Union, we need but stand
ard bearer In whose ability as st Itesman and f.
deity to the constitution all may confde, to lead
us to victory. We have no doubt that such lead
er win be chosen, whether the nomination shall be
made now or in June and we are prepared to 90
heartily to work for the success Of the great prin-
ciples which called the American party into exist
ence.