The Georgetown news., 1856-04-03
THE National American Platform.

the Supreme Being who rules the universe,
for his protecting care vouchsafed to our
fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to us,
their descendants, in the preservation OF the
liberties, the independence, and the union
of these States.
Second: The perpetuation of the Federal
Union, as the palladium of our civil and re-
ligious liberties, and the only sure bulwark
of American Independence.
Third: americans must rule Amer1ca, and
to this end, natiUe-born citizens should be
selected for all State, Federal and munich
pal officers of government employment in
preference to naturaliZed citizens; neUerthe-
less:
Fourth: Persons born of American pa
rents residing temporarily abroad, should
be entitled to all the rights of native-born
citizens; but:
Fifth: No person should be selected for
political station, whether native or foreign
birth,) who recognizes any allegiance or OBJ
legation, of any description, to any foreign
prince, potentate, or Power, or who refuses
to recognize the Federal and State Consti-
tutions leach within its sphere) as para
mount to all other laws as rules of political
action.
Sirth: The unqualified recognition and
maintenance Of the reserved rights of the
several States, and the cultivation of har-
mony and fraternal good will between the
citizens of tie several States, and, to this
end, non-interference by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the individ-
ual States, and nOn-interventiOn by each
State with the affairs of any other State
!, Seventh: The recognition Of the right of
the native-born and naturalized citizens of
the United States, permanently residing in
any Territory thereof, to frame their Con-
stitution and laws, and to regulate their do
mestic and social affairs in their own mode,
subject only to the provisions Of the FEEDER
al Constitution, with the right IF admission
into the Union whenever they have the re-
quisite population for one Representative
) in Congress. ProUided allrayS, That none
but those who are citizens of the United
States, under the Constitution and laws
thereof, and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory, ought to participate in
J the formation of the Constitution, or in the
enactmentof laws for said Territory or State.
Eighth: An enforcement of the principle
that no State or Territory can admit others
than native-born citizens to the right of
suffrage, or Of holding political Office, unless
such persons shall have been naturalized
according to the laws of the United States.
Ninth: A change in the laws Of naturali-
zatiOn, making a continued residence of
| twenty-one years, Of all not heretofore pro-
t vided for, and indispensably requisite for
citizenship hereafter, and excluding all pau
perS, and persons convicted of crime, from
landing upon our shores; but no interfer-
ence with the vested rights of foreigners.
: Tenth: Opposition to any yuniOn between
Church and State; no interference with re-
ligious faith, and no test oaths for Office ex-
cept those indicated in the fifth section Of
this platform.
Eleventh.: Free and thorough investiga-
l tiOn into any and all alleged abuses CT pub
) lie functionaries, and strict economy in
public expenditures.
TtceLfh: The maintenance and enforce
ment of all laws until said laws shall De re-
peaIed, or shall be declared null anA void
by competent judicial authority.
Thirteenth: Opposition to the reckless
and unwise policy Of the present Admins
tration in the general management of onr
national affairs, and more especially as
shown in removing "AmericanS' (by desig-
, natiOn) and conservatives in principle, from
f office, and placing foreigners and ultraists
in their places; as shown in trucking sub
serviency to the stronger, anI an insolent
and cowardly bravado towards the weaker
. powers; as shown in re-opening sectional
agitation, by the repeal of the Missouri
] Compromise; as shown in granting to I'M
naturalized foreigners the right to suffrage
in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in its
, yaScillating course on the Kansas and Ne
braska question; as shown in the removal
of Judge Bronson from the Collectorship of
New York upon false and untenable
grounds; as shown in the corruptionS which
pervade some of the Departments of The
, Government; as shown in disgracing meri-
; torious naval officers through prejudice or
+; caprice; and as shown in the blundering
mismanagement of our foreign relations.
Fourteenth: Therefore, tOromedy existing
, evils and prevent the disastrous consequen-
ces otherwise resulting therefrom, we would
7 build up the american party" upon the
principles hereinbefore stated, eschewing all
sectional questions, and uniting upon those
purely national, and admitting into sad
party all American citizens (referred to in
the Sd, 4th and 9TH sectiolls,) 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 at any meeting of local council
J where an applicant applies for membership
3 in The American party may, for any reason
q by them deemed sufficient, deny admission
# to such applicant.
Fifteenth: A free and open discussion OF
all political principles embraced in our plat
/ form.
+ ICE.=The nioneer load Of ice for the dir.