Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-02-11
Americanism In Virginia.

We published in our daily of the 9th instant
the preamble and resolutions Of a convention
of the American party of Monongalia county,
Virginia, held on the 18th ultimo, at Morgan
town, which convention was very largely at
tended and its deliberations were character
lied by the utmost harmony and enthusiasm"
as we are informed by the Morgantown Union.
We may add, that they were also character
lied" by an exhibition of sound, practical good
sense, --an evident patriotism,--a strict adhe-
renee to truth, and a disposition to meet our
brethren Of other States on fair and national
basis Of adjustment of existing discussions.
The Monongalia Convention present, in their
preamble, and in three resolutions Immediately
following it, the doctrines which we have
sought earnestly to enforce, and which doc
trines arc SO forcibly expressed therein, that
we again insert them, and invite their perusal
by all our readers, to-wit:
Whereas, In the opinion of this meeting, the
great and prime of the agitation OF the slave
nv question at the present time In this country was
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the
enactment of the Kansas N ebraska act and where
az while we view the distracng and baneful infu-
ences arising from the above action OF the party
now in power, upon the prosperity and permanent
CIV of our beloved Union, we hereby renew our
united and individual obligations to stand by the
compromises of the constitution to the last ex-
tremity: and whereas the excitement now exist
ing upon the subject OF slavery in the American
party throughout the country should be speedily
allayed by the adoption of a sound national and
conservative basis, upon which all Americans
throughout the length and breadth of the whole
country may unite: therefore,
Resolved lst. That while we feel entirely dis
posed to support and abide by the principles as
laid down in the 18th section OF the Philadelphia
platform. we do not feel inclined to force urviews
or ipse diait upon those who honestly differ with
us by saying to them that we alone are right, and
they are wrong.
the only adjustable ground upon which all true
hearted Americans can meet this otherwise allah
sorbing and damning question.
Resolued, Sd. That the subject OF slavery should
never have been introduced into our National
Councils; that it is sectional question, and that
the principles of the American party should ever
be held sacred and aloof from its entanglng nfiu-
ences and alliances.
1t is peculiarly gratifying to us to find that
the Americans of Monongalia county, Virginia,
thus, with the utmost harmony" endorse the
opinions we have advanced and urged, and for
which portion of our Southern brethren have
denounced us. 1t is also gratifying to us to
perceive by the last resolution adopted by the
Monongaia Convention, that though we have
been parned by the Richmond Wing to let
Virginia politics alone" the convention "re-
quested" us to publish the resolutions, which
we have done with great pleasure, though per-
haps at some hazard.
1t is our most earnest desire to carry out the
principles contained in the above preamble and
resolutions by the adoption at the ensuing
National Council, to be held on the 18th inst,
of "a sound, national and conservative basis,
upon which all Americans throughout the length
and breadth of the whole country may unite"
and we shall carefully cooperate with all who
are influenced by the spirit which moves our
Monongalia friends, in establishing platform,
long enough, broad enough, and strong enough
to hold all true Americans, from Maine to Cali
fornia-