Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-14


III a regular meeting Of. the National Council, of
the America,l Party, begun aud held at Phitadel-
phja, on the 5M of June, a. d., 1856, the fol-
ioaoing sods adopted as The PLATFORM and Prin-
ciples of the Organization
1.-The acknowledgment of that Almighty Be-
ing, who rules over the Universe, e,--who presides
over the councils Of nations,--who conducts the
affairs of men, and who, in every step by which
we have advanced to the character of an indepen-
dent nation, has distinguished us by some token Of
Providential agency. ~.s, -t t,
1.-THE cultivation and development of SEN
timent of profoundly intense American feeling; of
passionate attachment to our country, its history
and It's institutions; of admiration for the purer
days of our nat onal existence of veileration, for
the herosm that precipitated our Revolution and
Of emulation of the virtue wisdom, and patriotism
that framed our constitution and first successfully
applied its provisions. g..s. ....f.... s...,.,. s.
IIl--The maintenance of the union of these
United States as the paramount political good or,
to use the language Of Washington, /" the primary
object of patriotic desire" And hence n 4
lst. Opposition to all attempts to weaken or
subvert It.
I'd. Uncompromising antagonism to every prin-
cple OF policy that endangers it.
Sd. The advocacy of an equitable adjustment of
I'll political differences which threaten its integrity
or perpetuity. f8
4th The suppression of all tendencies to politi-
cal division, founded ON geographical discrmi-
nations, or on the belief that there is real differ
ence of interests and views" between the various
sections Of the Union. s
9th. The eul recognition Of the rights Of the
several States, as expressed and reserved in the
Constitutions; and careful avoidance, by the
General Government, of all interference with their
rights by legislative or executive action.
IV.--0bedience to the Constitution of these Uni
ted States as the supreme law Of the land, sacred
ly obligatory upon all its parts and members and
steadfast resistance to the spirit of innovation upon
its principles however specious the pretests
Avowing that in all doubtful Cur disputed points it
may only be LEGALLY ascertainad and expounded by
the judicial power Of the United States.
And, as corolary to the above:
j. A habit Of reverential obedience to the law,
whether National, State, or Municipal, until they
are either repealed or declared unconstitutional by
the proper authority.
a. tender aud sacred regard for those acts Of
Craftsmanship, which are to be contradistnguished
from acts of ordinary legislation, by the fact of
their being of the nature of compacts and agree
ments and So to be considered fixed and settled
national policy. ta
VA radical revision and mobilization Of the
laws regulating immigration, and the settlement Of
immigrants. Offering to the honest immigrant who,
from love of liberty hatred Of oppression seeks
an asylum In the United States a friendly recep-
ton and protection. But unqualRedly condemn
ing the transmission to our shores Of felons and
paupe,s.
vi The essential modification of the Natural.
The repeal by the Legislatures of the respective
States, of all State laws allowing foreigners not
naturalized to vote.
The repeal, without retroactive operation, of all
acts OF Congress- making grants of land to unnatu-
rallied foreigners, and allowing them to vote in
the Territories 1.ta tH tr F~H
Vu-Hostility to the corrupt means by which
the leaders of party have hitherto forced upon us
our rulers and our political creads. 2h
Impacable enmity against the prevalent demoral-
izing system OF rewards for political subserviency,
and of punshments for political Independence.
Disgust for the wild hunt after office which char
acterizes the age.
These on the one hand. On the other:--
Imitation Of the practice of the purer days of
tho Republic; and admiration Of the maxim that
"ofice should seek the man, and not man the of
6ce," and of the rule that the just mode Of ascer
tanning fitness for Office is the capabiity, tho faith
fulness, and the honesty of the incumbent or cam
didate. EaE s'5 aw rsses s#i d
vIII-Resistance to the aggressive policy and
&C .rupting tendencies of the Roman Catholic
Church In our country by the advancement to all
political stations xecutve, legslatv Judicial, or
diplomatic---of those only who do not hold civil
allegiance directly or indirectly, to any foreign
power, whether civil or ecclesiastical and who are
Americans by birth, education and training-thus
fulfilling the maxim: "AsERIoANs ONLY sHALL
GOVERN AMERICA
The protection of all citizens in the legal and
proper exercise Of their civil and religious rights
AMI privileges; the maintenance Of the right Of
every man to the full unrestraned, and peaceful en-
icyneLt Of his own religious opinions and worship,
and Jealous resistance Of all attempts by any sect
denomination or church, to obtain an ascendency
over any other in the State, by means of any
special privileges or exemption, by any political
combination OF it's members, or by division Of
their civil allegiance with any foreign power, po-
tentate, OF ecclesiastic.
IX.-The reformation Of the character of our
National Legislature by elevating TO that dignifed
and responsible position men of higher quslifca-
tions, purer morals and more unsel6sh patriotism
X.--The restriction Of executive patronage es-
pecialy In the matter of appointments to Office, 40
far as II may be permitted by the Constitution, and