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

49, 1
The following are the platform and prin.
etpies'ol the American Organization, adopted |
BY The National Council at philadelpais.
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES.
]. The acknowledgement Of chat Almigh- |
ty Being, who rules over the Universe, who
presides over The Councils of Na,ions--.who
conducts tho affairs of men, and who in e.
very step by which we have advanced to the
character OF all independent nation, has die
nnguished us by some token of Providcn;isl
agency.
II. The cultivation ard development Of e
sentiment of profoundly intense hnlerican
feeling; OF passionate attachment 20 oar
country, it's history and its institutions; OF
admiration for he puter days of our nation
al existence; of veneEation for the heroism
that precipi,ated our Revolution, and of EN-
ulation for the virtue, wisdom and patriot
ism that framed on, Constitution and iiss,
successfully applied lis provisions.
III. The maintenance Of the Union Of
these United States as the paramount poI;,i-
cal good; or to use the language Of Wsshing-
dm, 'the primary object of patriotic 1osiIe."
And hence: -
LIST. Opposition to all a,,ern pts to weaken
! or suhvett it. ~
2nd Incorporating an,agouiam ,oev-
cry principle of policy that ondangers il.
Sd. The advocacy OF an eaustaolc adjust-
ment of all political differences which threa-
tens its integrity or perpetu,y.
| 4th. The suppression Of all tendencies TO
itopolical visions, founded on 'gcogruriii-
cal Determinations. or OH the belief tina,
| there is u real difference OF interests and
views between the various sections Of the
Union. ... ... ..-
| 9th. Tho full recognition Of the rights Of
the several States, as expressed end reserved
in the Constitution, aud careful avoidance,
| by the General Government, of all intcrier-
ence with the rights by legislative or ex-
ecutive &ction.
| ". Obedience to the Constitution of
theEe United States, as The supreme law Of
the land, sacredly obligatory upon sil its
parts and members; and s.cadtast resistance
to the spirit Of innovation upon itS fpri;icplss,
however specious the pretsxts. Avowing
tina; in all doubtful or disputed points j, may
only be- legally asCeHa:ned and egpoanded
| by the judicial power OF the United States
And as a corol!ary TO lie aboye:- .......
A habit OF reverenliol obedieLas 90 the
laws, whether National, State, OF Mrmici-
| pal, until they are either repealed or dee,ar-
| ed unconstitutional by the pfGper authority
2. A tender and sacred regard for those
acts OF craftsmanship, which are to be con
tradstinguished from acts or ordinary legis-
lstion, by the fact of their being of Re ma
| ture Of compacts and agreements; and so, 10
be considered fixed and settled rational
policy.
" A radical revision and modification Of
the laws regulating immigIation and the
| settlement OF immigrants. Offering to Che
| honest Immigrant, who from love of liberty
| or hatred Of oppression, seeks IN asylum in
the United States, friendly reception and
protection. But unqualife5ly condemning
| the transmission to our shores, Of felons and
| paupers. ... .... ...... . ....... .... r..
VI.--The essential modification OF the Ma
turalization Laws. t.-
The repeal by the Legislatures OF the res.
pec,ive States, Of all the State laws allowing
foreigners no: naturalzed 10 vote.
TIE repeal without retroactive operation
| of all acts of CoDgres. making grants Of land
to unna,nraIized foreigners and allowing
them to vote in the Territories.
Hostility TO the corrupt means BY
which the leaders of party have hitherto
forced upon us our rulers and political creed
1mplacable emmity against the present
dcnioraliZing system OF rewards for polti-
cal subserviency, aud OF punishments for 20
lltical Independence
Disgust for the wild hunt after Office
which chasacleiizes the age. ~
These OIL the one hand. On the other
Imitation Of the practice of purer days of
the Republic; and admiral on of the maxim
that "oiiice should seek the man, and not
man tue Office" and Of the rule that, the
just mode OF ascertainlng fitness for Office,
IS the capaoiiiiy, the fathfulness, and the
bn., n tb.,; 4
Vlil.--Resis,suce 10 the aggressive policy |
and corrupting tendencies of the Roman Ca |
lhoic Church in our country by the advance
ment 10 all political s,ations--executiye |
legislative, judicial and diplomatic--o those |
only who do not hold civil allegiance, di. |
rectIy or indirectly, TO any foreign power,
whether civil or ecclesiastical. and who are
Americans by birth, education and training;
thus fulfilling she maxim "AMERIoANs ONLY |
SHALL Govern AMERICA" ....a.
The protection Of all citizens in The legal
and proper exercise Of their civil and reli-
g,ous rights and privileges; the maintenance
OF the right OF every man 20 tho fall, nnre-
strained and peaceful enjoyment Of his own
religious opinions aud worship, and Jealous
resistance Of all attempts, by any sect de.
nomination or church, TO obtain the ascen-
dency over any other in the Stale, by rnt ans
OF any special privileges, or exemption by
any practical combination Of its members, or
by division OF their civil allegiance with
any foreign power, potentates or ecclesias.
lie. |sET
IX.--The reformation Of the character of
bur National Legislature, by eloyating TO
hat dgnifed and responsible position
ncn ofbigher qualifications, purer morals,
Ind more unselfish patriotism.
X.--Tbc restriction Of executive patron.
'ge especially in the matter of appoint.
nents TO ohico--so far az it may be pernit.
ed by the Constitution, and consistent with
lie public good. ~
HL-The education Of the youth of our
'ountty in schools provided by the Satc;
which schools shall be common 10 ALL with.
MT distinction of creed or party, aud free