The Empire County argus., 1856-10-11
National American Platform.

(4d0pted at PblE0deIphia, February 22d, 1860
First-An humble acknowledgment to the Supreme
Being who rules the universe, for his protecting
vouchsafed to fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle and hitherto manifested to u.s. their descendants
in the preservation OF the liberties the independence and
the union Of these States.
SecondThe perpetuation of the Federal Union as the
palladium of civil and religious liberties, and the only
sure bulwark of American Independence.
Third-Americans must rule America and to this end,
native born citizens should be selected for all State Fede-
raj and municipal Offices of government employment in
preference to naturalized citizens, ne0erthelesS
Fourth.-Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the rights of
natve-born citizens; but
FfthNo persons should be elected for political station
(whether native of foreign BIRTH who recognizes any
allegiance or obligation of any description to any foreign
prince poenate Power or who refuses to recognize
the Federal and State Constitutions each within its
sphere as paramount to all other laws rules of poti
cal action.
the reserved rights of the several Staes and the cuva
ton of harmony and raternal goodwill between the cit
of the several States and to this end nonnererence
by Congress with questions apperainng solely to the ndi
ydua Sates and non-ntervenon by each State with the
affairs of any other State.
SeventhThe recognition of the right of the native born
and naurazed citizens of the United States permanently
residing in any Territory thereof to frame their Consttu-
ton and Laws and to regulate their domestic and social
affairs in their modes, subject only to the provisions
OF the Federal Constitution, with the right of admission
into the Union whenever they have the requisite popua
ton for Representative i'll Congress- Provided always,
that none but those who citizens of the United States,
under the Constitution and laws thereof and who have
fixed residence i'll any such Territory ought to participate
in the formation of the Constitution the enactment
of laws for said Territory or State.
Eighh.-An enforcement of the principle that no State
Territory admit others than natveborn citizens to
the right Of suffrage of holding political office unless
such persons shall have been naurazed according to the
laws Of the United States
Nnth.-A change in the laws of naturalization, making
continued residence of twentyone years. of all not here
tofore provided for, indispensable requisite for citizen
ship hereafter and excluding all paupers, and persons
convicted of crime from landing upon shores but no
interference with the vested rights OF foreigners.
Tenth.-Opposition to any union between Church and
State interference with religious faith worship, and
no test oahs for office except those indicated in the 9th
section of this platform.
Eleventh.-Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public funconaries and strict
economy in public expenditures.
TwelfthThe maintenance and enforcement of all laws
until said laws shall be repealed shall be declared null
and void by competent judicial authority.
Thirteenth-Opposton to the reckless and unwse pol
icy of the present Administration in the general manage
of national affairs, and more especially shown
in removing "Amercans" (by designation and conserva-
tves in principle from office and placing foreigners and
ultrasts in their places shown in trucking subser
viency to the stronger and an insoen and cowardly
bravado towards the weaker powers shown in reopen
ing sectional agitation by the repeal of the Missouri Com
promse shown in granting to unnaturazed foreign
the right suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska shown
in its vascllang course the Kansas and Nebraska
question; shown in the removal Of Judge Bronson from
the Colectorshp of New York upon false and untenabe
grounds shown in the corruptons which pervade
of the Departments of the Governments as shown in dis
gracing mertorious naval officers through prejudice
caprice and as shown in the bundering mismanagement
of our foreign relations.
Fourteenth h.-Therefore, to remedy existing evils and
prevent the disastrous otherwise resulting
therefrom, would build up the american party upon
the principles herenbefore stated eschewng all sectional
questions, and uniting upon those purely national, and
admitting into said party all American citizens (referred
to in the 3d. 4h and 9TH secons) who openly avow the
principles and opinions heretofore expressed and who will
subscribe their names to this platform Provided never
theless that majority of those members present any
meeting of local council where applicant applies
membership in the American party may, for any reason
by the deemed sufficient deny admission to such applicant
Fifeenth.A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform.