The true Democrat., 1856-03-18
Grand Know Nothing Council.

!
 Yesterday the Know Nothing council met at l0oclock, the Rev. Mr. Campbell, of Tennes. see, offering a prayer for the benefit of all present.
 Mr. Bennett, of New York. upon the con. cillslon of the reverend gentlemans remarks rose, and amid great excitement, submitted the following charges against Thomas H. Ford of Ohio. They were, however, ruled out of order:
 First, That during the political campaign in the fall of 1855, he visited the State of New York, and used his influence, and expended his efforts to secure the success of the black repub- llcan and foreign party A party whose prn- clples are antagonstc to those of the Ameri- can party.
 Second, That as a seeding member of this national council, at its June session, he is not entitled to a seat with us at this time.
 Third, That he is now in conference with the black republican and foreign party. and pledged to use his influence to divide and dis tract the American party, and to rally all the party he can command in favor of the Pitts burgh black republican convention, which is to meet on Friday, the 22d inst, in that place
 The consideration of the restitution of Mr. Brewster, for the repeal of the twelfth section ot the platform, was then resumed and after some brief remarks from Mir. Wood, of Califor ma, Mir. F. $. Evans, of Washington, D. C., submitted the following new platform of Ame- rlcan principles:
 l. An humble acknowledgment to the Su- preme Being who rules the universe for his protecting vouchsafed to our fathers in their successful revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to us, their descendants, in the pre- servation of the liberties, the independence and the Union of these States.
 2. The perpetuation of the federal Union, as the palladium of our civil and religious liber- ties, and the only sure bulwark of American in- dependence.
 g. Americans must rule America, and to this nd native-born citizens should be selected for all state, federal and municipal offices or go- vernment employment, in preference to natura- liZed citizens, nevertheless;
 4 Persons born of American parents residing t. 4porarly abroad should be entitled to ali the rights of native-b born citizens; but
 ,. No person should be selected for political station, (whether of native or foreign birth), who recognizes any allegiance or obligation of any description to any foreign prince, potentate or power, or who refuses to recognize the fede- ral and state constitutions, (each within its sphere) as paramount to all other laws as rules of political action.
 6. The unqualified recognition and mainte- nance of the reserved rights of the several States, and the cultivation of harmony and fraternal good will between the citizens of the several States, and to this end, non-interference by Congress with questions appertaning solely to the individual States, and non intervention by each State with the affairs of any other State
 7. The recognition of the right of the native born and naturalized citizens of the United States, permanently residing in any territory thereof, to frame their constitution and laws, and to regulate their domestic and social affairs in their own mode, subject only to the provi sons of the federal constitution, with the right of admission into the Union whcnevr they have the requisite population for one Representative in Congress. Pro0idei aIt0ays, That none but those who are citizens of the United States, under the constitution and laws thereof and who have a fixed residence in such terri tory, ought to participate in the formation of the or in the enactment of laws for said territory or state.
 5. An enforcement of the principle that no state or territory ought to admit others than native born citizens to the right of suffrage, or of holding political office. unless such person shall have been naturaliZed according to the laws of the United States.
 9. A change in the laws of naturalization, making a continued residence of twentyone years, Of all lot heretofore provided for, an ln- dispensable requisite for citizenship hereafter and excluding all paupers and persons convict ed of crime, from landing upon our shores; but no interference with the vested rights ot foreigners.
 10 Opposition to any union between church and state; no interference with religious faith or worst and no test-oaths for office, except those indicated in the 5th section of this plat form.
 H. Free and thorough investigationinto any and all alleged abuses of public function aries, and a strict economy in public expenditures.
 12. The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws until said laws shall be declared null and void by competent judicial authority.
 13. OppoS ton to the reckless and unwlse policy the present administration In the gene ra management of our national affairs, and more especially as shown in removing Amencans" (bv designation) and conservatives Tn prlnclpe from office, and placing foreigners and ultraists in their places, as shown ln trucking subserV- ency to the stronger and an insolent and cow ardlv bravade towards the weaker powers; as shown in re-opening sectional agitation, by the repeal of the Missouri compromise; as shown Tn granting to unnaturalized foreigners the right ot suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in it's vacillating course on the Kansas and Ne braska question: as shown in the removal of Judge Bronson from the collectorship of New York upon false and untenable grounds; as shown in the corruptions which pervade some of the departments of the government; as shown in disgracing meritorious naval officers through prejudice or caprice; and as shown in the blundering mismanagement of our foreign rela- tions.
 14th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and prevent the disastrous consequences otEer- wise resulting therefrom, we would build up the "Amercan party' upon the principles here inbefore stated, eschewing all sectional ques- tions, and uniting upon those purely national, and admitting into said party all American clt- zens, Preferred to in the 3d, 4th and 5th sec tions,) who openly avow the principles and opinions heretofore expressed, and who will subscribe their names to this platform: Provld- ed, nevertheless that majority of those mem bers present at any meeting of local council where an applicant applies for membership in the American party may for any reason by them deemed sufficient, deny admission to such ap- plcant.
 15. A free and open discussion of all politi- cal principles embraced in our platform.
 After speech from Mir. Evans, the repeal of tue 18th section was resumed.
 Mir. Reedy, of Tennessee took the floor, and spoke at length. He contended strongly for the right of the people of the new territories to decide for themselves the question of the character of their domesti cinstitutions.
 Several delegates claimed the foor
 A delegate moved that the subject be laid upon the table, and that the Washington plat form given above be adopted
 It was moved that the vote of Wednesday, calling for the previous question on M:. Brew, ster's resolution of repeal, be reconsidered, and the ayes and nays be taken upon the question:
 Mr. Ellie moved to lay the question to recon' sider upon the table. Lost by avote ot Il ayes to 35 nays.
 The question to reconsider was then before the council. Several points of order were rals- ed. Great confusion Several delegates were