American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-01-05


eiplSsoi the American orsanization adopted |
by the National CounciI at Philadelpaia
PLATFORM AND PRINCIPLES. |
l. The acknowledgement, of that Almigh.
~ Being, who rules over the Universe who
presIdes over The Councils Of Na,ions--who
conducts the ailtIrs OF men, and who, in e. !
very step by which we have advanced TO the
character OF an Independent nation, has dis !
'lnguiShcd us by some token OF ProyIential
agency. ...... ....
III. The cultivation and development, Of
sentiment OF profoundly intense American
feeling; OF passionate attachment To our
country, its history and its institutions; of
admiration Tor the purer days Of our nation
nj existence; Of veneraion for the heroism
that precipiIated Our Revolution, and of EN-.
ulaiion for the virtue, wisdom and patriot
ism that framed our Constitution aud first
successfully applied It's provisions.
III. The maintenance OF the Union OF
these United States as the paramount poiitl-
cal good: or 10 use the language of Washing.
dtn, "the primary object OF patriotic desne."
And hence:
is,. Opposition 10 all attempts to weaken
or subycg IL.
end Cncompromsing an,agonism to ev-
cry principle OF policy that endangers il.
81. The advocacy OF an equitable adjust.
ment OF all political differences which threa-
tens its integrity or perpetuiy.
4,h. The suppression fall tendencies 10
itopohcai visions, founded on "gengraph-
cal Determinations, or on the belief tina,
there is a real difference of interests and
views between the various sections OF the
Union.
5lh. The full recognition Of the rights Of
he snl ypI
in the Constitutions, and a careful avoidance,
by the General Government Of all iutcrier-
ence with the rights by legislative or ey-
eculive action.
". Obedience to the Constitution OF
these United States, as the supreme law Of
the land, sacredly obligatory upon all its
parts and members; and steadlast resistance
TO The spirit OF innovation upon its principles
however specious the pretexls. Avowmg
that III all doubtful Of disputed points il may
only be legally ascer,uincd and cXpounded
by the judicial power Of the United States.
Aud as a coroIiary to the above:-
a habit of reverenIal obedience TO the
laws, whether National, State, or Munici-
pal, until they are either repealed or dcciar-
ed unconstitutional by the proper authority
.. A tender and sacred regard for those
acts Of craftsmanship, which are to be con-
tradlstlnguished from acts or ordinary legis
lation, by the fact Of their being of the ma
ture OF compncts and agreements; aul SO, TO
be considered fixed and settled national
policy.
V. A radical revision and modification Of
the laws regulating immigration, and the
settlement OF immigrants. Offering TO the
honest immigrant, who from love Of liberty
or hatred OF oppression, seeks an asylum III
The United States, a friendly reception and
RuI III llv 10 M
The transmission 10 our shores, Of iclons and
pGupers.
Vl.--The essential modification OF The Ma
turallzation Laws. 3D..
The repeal by the Legislatures Of the res
rec,ive States, -of all the Safe laws allowing
foreigners no. naturaiZcd 10 vote.
The repeal without retroactive operation
OF all acts Of Congress making grants of land
10 unnQ,uraliIed foreigners, and allowing
them TO vote in the Territories.
VIt.-Hosility TO The corrupt means By
which the leaders Of party have hitherto
forced upon us our rulers and political creed.
lmpacabe emmty against the present
demoTaZing Sy stem OF rewards FOR puliIi.
cal subservirncy, and OF Punishments for po-
lllcai independence.
Disgust for the will hunt after office
which CharacteriZes the age.
These Oh the one hand. On the other
lmiialion OF The practice Of purcr days of
The Republic; and admiral on Of the maxim
that "uilicc should seek the man, and not
lnan the Office" and Of the rule that, the
just mode Of asceriuinlng fitness for Office,
is the capabl!Iiy, the iaithiuInesS, and the
honesty OF the incumbent or candidate.
Nlll.-Rcslsancc TO tie aggressive policy
and corruptIDg tendencies Of The Roman Ca
lncnt to all political StatiOnS-eXecutiye
legislative, judicial aud diploma,c--uf those
oLly who do not hold civil allegiance, Iii.
rtClly or indirectly, TO any iOrrlgD power,
whether civil or ecclesiastical, and who are
Americans by birth, ciucatioE and training;
thus fulfilling the maxim "AMgRrcAN& oNbY
SHALL GOVERN AMERICA.'
The protection Of all citizens III the legal
and proper exercise Of their civil and rcli.
gious rights and privileges; the maintenance
oi the right OF every man to the full. unre-
strained and peaceful enjoyment of his own
religious opinions and worship, and JEALOUS
resistance OF all attempts, by any seci, de
nomination or ch0rch, 10 obtain The asccn-
dPncy over any other in the State, by means
OF any special privileges, or exemption by
any PRACTICAL combination OF its members, or
by division Of their civil allegiance with
any foreign power pOtentalcS or eCCcsias.
tic.
IX.--The reformation Of the character Of
our National Legislature, BY cleyaing TO
that di2nfeJ AMI responsible position
men Of higher qualifications, purer morals,
aud more unseliish patriotism.
X.--The restriction Of executive patron
age especially III the matter Of appoint.
Inents TO oniCcso far as i, may be permit.
ted By the Constitution, and consistent with
the public good.
XI.---The education Of the youth Of our