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

any practical combination Of its members, or
by division OF their civil allegiance with
any foreign power, potentu,es or eccesias.
tic. blEaI So ~ EsEt y tfEsaf
M.--The reformation Of the character of
our National Legislature, b. eleva,ins TO
that dignifed and responsible position
men OF higher qualifications, purer morals,
and more unseltish patriotism.
X.--The restriction of executive patron
age especially in the matter Of appoint.
ments to oflice-so far as it may DO permit
ted by the Constitution, and consistent with
the public good.
Al.-The education Of the youth Of our
| country in schools provided by the State;
which schools shall be common 10 all. with
out distinction of creed or party, aud free
from any influence or direction of denomi-
national or pariiZau character.
And, lnasmuch as Christianity. by the
| Constitutions of nearly all the Sta,es; BY the
decisions OF the most eminent judicial au.
| thorties: and by the consent of the people
| OF America, is considered an element of our
| political system, and sS the Holy Bible is
at once the source of Christianity: and the
depository and fountain of all civil and reli.
gous freedom, we oppose every attempt to
exclude 1t from the schools thus established
in the States. .e... -s staa aE
| Ml.--The American party having arisen
upon the ruins and in spite Of the opposition
Of the Wing and Democratic parties, cannot
be held in any manner responsible for the
obnoxious acts or violated pledges OF either.
And the systematic agitation Of the slavery
question by both those parties having elc-
waited sectional hostility into a positive cle-
ment OF political power, and brought our in
situations into peril, it has heretofore become
the imperative duty Of the American party
10 interpose, for the purpose of giving peace
to the country and perpe,uity to the Union.
| And as experience has shown it imposs bic
to reconcile opinions se extreme as those
which separate the dis pu,auts, and as there
can be no dishonor in submitting to the laws
the National Council has deemed il the best
guarantee of common justice and future
peace, to abide by and maintain the existing
Jaws upon the subject of slavery, as final
and conclusive settlement of that subject in
spirit and in substance.
And regarding it the highest duty to avow
their opinions upon subec so important,
III distinct and unequivocal terms, ii is here
BY declared as the sense of this National
Council that Congress possesses no power UNI
der the Constitution, to legis)ate upon the
subject OF slavery in the States where il does
or may exist, or exclude any State from al
mission into the Union because its Constitu-
ton of slavery as part of its social system;
and especially pretermiting any expression
OF opinion upon the power of Congress to es-
taohsh or prohibit slavery in any Territory
it is the sense Of the National Council that
Congress ought not to !egislate upon the
subject of slavery within the Territory of the
United States, aud that any interference by
Congress with slavery, as it exists in the
District Of Columbia, would be violation
OF the spirit and intention OF the compact
by which the State OF Maryland coded tho
District to the United States, and breach
Of the national faith.
XllI.-The policy Of the Government OF
the United States, III its relations with For
egn governments, is to exact justice from
the strongest, and do justice to the weakest
restraining, By all the power of tho Govern
ment, all its citizens from interference with
we are at peace.
( XiV.--This National Council declares tina
all the principle of the Order shall be hence
forward every where openly avowed; and
that each member shall be at the liberty to
make known the existence of the Order, and
the fact that he himself is member; and ii
recommends that there be- no concealment OF
the places of meeting of the Subordinate
Councils
E. B. BARTLETT, Of Kentucky,
President Of the National Coun Gil
G. d. DEsuLER, Of New Jersey.
Corresponding Secretary.
JAMES NJ. STEPHENS, Of Maryland,
Recording Secretary.