Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-06-23
American Association at Cincinnati


business, INDUCED in wide range OF dis
cussion. in's nded to bear chiefly upon that
everlasting, and most unfortunate, "fourih
plank" q" The Business Committee being
absent, DR.. Newton was called on to furnish
the meeting with the necessary ora;or:cul
psbUium. which be proceeded to do in the
most graceful noncommtal manner. Hel
said that it WIS very evident to any one
that the Americans were placed in an un
pleasan, position. They had hoped for a
conservative and united Opposition to com-
pass the defeat OF the Democratic party
whose principles were the love of power,
bu; the platform of the State Republican
Convention was barrier. He did no: be-
lieve the Republican party as party were
any better pleased with the position of
things Than the American party. So far as
he was concerned, he felt that some means
should be qdo ted BY which there could be
combined opposition 10 the Democracy Of
Ohio. But with the action of the State
Convention before them, which went to
prevent large and respectable portion of
the citizens Of the State from cooperating
with them, what were they to do! He sup
posed that would be left to the deiberation
of the Convention which had been called.
So far as the Americans were concerned,
they had acted honestly and in good faith
no Republican could condemn their action.
He found disposition among the Opposi-
lion to get matters into a healthy, living
shape without taking advantage Of either
party. Regardless of consequences he could
never supper, the Ticket pith the present
platform. The DR.. then referred to the
article in Yesterday mornings Gazette, and
took exception to the statement that the
platform of the % of June was essentially
the same as the Opposition platform of
Pennsylvania. He certainly did not think
it was. Even the Philadelphia platform did
not go far enough for the majority of the
Columbus Committee, and they acted with
seeming determination to make things as
Objectionable to the Americans as possible.
In conclusion, he remarked that the object
of that association was to drive or force
things, but still to fight against the Demo-
c-acv. and in such way as to be ns sue
cessful as possible.
PROF. LIPPET's REMARKS.
Prof. Lippet was next called on. He
said that when he first read the "fourth
plank" it was as it appeared in The Com
n1ercial the next morning after its adoption;
italicised as it was, with the accompanying
editorial remarks, and his hasty reading. had
incensed him. Since then his attention had
been called to an Interpretation of it, similar
to that given in The Gazette. Mr.. Lippet
then proceeded to read the "fourth plank
clause by clause, commenting upon each in
a clear and forcble manner. The clause
reading as follows:
awe claim for citizens, native and natur.
allied, liberty Of conscience, equality oil
rights, and the free exercise of the right Of
suffrage. We favor whatever legislative and
administrative reform may be necessary to
protect these rights, and guard against their
Infringement or abuse"
He declared were the sentiments of the
American party-this referred to citizens
At this point it became very convenient for
him to allude to the doctrine set forth in
Gen. Cass' recent letter, which declared the
inability of the American government to
protect its own citizens. Snch doctrine
was degrading TO our country. Because a
man once owed military allegaace to Eu-
ropean government, the arm of the law,
forsooth, was not sufficient, and this effect it
should form plank in the American plat
form.
To the clause reading-"and we oppose
any abr'dgehent whatever of the right of
naturalization now secured by law to emi-
grants, and all discrimination between ma
tive and naturalized citizens, whether by
amendment of Staie Constitution or 9TH
erwise"-the Americans were opposed. Ii
referred to class of persons different from
the frst-to emigranfs. The abridging or
reforming of the naturalization law had al.
whys been cardinal principle in the Ameri-
can platforms. In conclusion, he said if the
language of the "iourth plank" was suscep-
tibla of that definition, The Gazette's article
was very pleasantly written.
De. WRIGHT
Followed Mr.. Llppet, and coincide with him
in his definition of the "fourth plank" He
however, did not attach much weight TO the
platform, and would not have given it much
attention had it not oeen for the clause re-
| ferred to which seemed TO reflect on the
Americans. He took occasion to state that
in conversation with prominent Republi
can the day before, and one who had some
thing to do in getting up the resolutions
that gent leman had expressed his surprise
that the Americans should object to that
fourth resolution. as he had supposed tina,
it was gotten up especially 10 please them
with the intention of embodying their opin
ions on the subject of emigration. The
DR.. thought that they had mistaken the
sentiments of the Americans, but had done
so honestly and sincerely. He believed
that it was well intended. He, however
did not believe that either party had any
thing 10 do with ether's platform, but should
aim only to give the people the best ticket
He regarded the Republican ticket as ar
excellent one, and such as should be elected
The only difficulty in the way of the sup
port of the Americans was that obnoxiou;
clause, which, however, he believed the Re-
publicans would take steps to strike out o
the platform.
Want of space forbids fuller notice o
the remarks made last evening. DR.. Wright
was followed by Mr.. Terrence, who made &
| very earnest speech in opposition TO fusion