American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-06-27
know who, under tho constitution and
by the law were cntitled to vote.

mind have either Of the two great or
CARNATIONS opposed to the American
party endcavorcd to secure those whole
some reforms which are essential either
to an intelligent or honest exercise of
the rights ofsfranchise. Even where
an attempt has been made, as in New
York, to secure n practical reform I'M
dor the naturalization laws, so that
while the clause would not extend the
hive years residence previous to natu-
RADIATION, provided by the laws Of the
United States, it would nevertheless,
secure small portion of this limited
residence before the alien was allowed
to vote, the attempt has failed by the
combined opposition Of both the Dem
ocratic and Republican parties, who
not unfrequently, work together at the
North to destroy the American organ
ization. And while there has been a
neglect to maintain apurc franchise for
white voters, and an open and earnest
opposition to all reforms, proposing
simply remedial measures for admitted
great public evils, there has also been
enacted in New York a successful meas
ure looking to such an amendment of
the Constitution as would secure u gen
cral system Of suffrage to the negroes
of the State. Thus in one part of the
Union a State Constitution is opened
to sustain the question of negro suf-
/ tragc, while in another part of the u
Mon the alien has had conferred upon
him privileges wholly unknown to the
natlve.born citizen. To-day foreign
paupcr or foreign criminal, driven or
banlshcd from the pest or prison houses
of Europe, is made in all things, and
regardless of his residence in the coun-
try, an equal with the citizen whose
service has been life long, patriotic,
and useful in the land of his birth. -
Tomorrow again, States in another
section of the country become revolu-
tionary in their plans of opposition to
tho Federal Government, and exhaust
their patriotism and labor in measures
OF mere speciality and favor for the ne
gro.
We seek to avoid such anomalies of
legislation in both our Federal and
State Governments. Their tendency
IS neither toward humanity nor mercy.
They benefit neither the white nor the
black race, and whether well meant or
lIi'mcant, result in that spirit of strife
and Observation-Disclosures in different States
and among different classes of people
which the true men of the country can
not fail to dcplorc.
Higher aims and noblcr objects ami
mate the American party. I'VE know
OF no political differences between the
rights of the North and the rights of
the South. All subordinate to the
constitution of our common country
The union Of the States, the rights of
! the States, the privileges of the people
in the States, and under the Union, is
our chief glory and our greatest good.
When differences Of opinion come, as
come they will, they must be settled, mot
by elimination and hate, but by refer
ence to that great principle Of common
right and common protection-THE Con-
STITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES :;
and if there shall unfortunately again
be differences of opinion as to what is
granted and what is denied by the Con-
stitution, the Judiciary of the land,
/ through the authorized courts of the
nation, can alone make up and decide
/ the final issue. The Constitution and
the law must, therefore, at all times and
IN all places, become our rule of action.
federation Of opinion, the freedom
Of speech and Of the press, the right Of
the people peacefully to assemble and
petition the government Cor redress
OF grievances, arc among these spcci.
fed constitutional personal rights, and
cannot be abridged except as the abuse
of these privileges is restrained by the
laws Of the land. Equally explicit are
the rights Of the States over their own
territories, and interference with them
becomes both public abuse of pow
or andan act ofpcrsonal impertineancc.
If all men in all sections of the coun-
try could realize where their powers
commence, and where they ceaso-if
they could understand that they arc
no more responsible for other mems
sins than they are secure in their own
sclf-assumcd virtues, all would be COM
paratively well.
There arc many and vital questions
on which the American party can a.
gree, andto whitehall other subjects shoe
be subordinate. They are, in brief,
condensed in the following spirit of our
National platform. We hold for OK.
ample as cardinal maxims of public
justice and private duty, to the follow.
ing rules of faith and action: