Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-23
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session of the National Council
Febru.ry q, 1856


Is An humble acknowledgement to tine Supreme Being for
his protecting care voucsafed fathers in their success
fu Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested to u.s.
their descendants in the preservation Of the liberties the
Independence and the union of these States.
Cd The perpeuaon Of the Federal Union the palla
dium Of our civil religious liberties, and the only
a bulwark Of American Independence
Sd Ameriodns Da rule A,asric0, and to this end, ma
born citizens should selected for all State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment in preference
10 all others nevertheless,
4h Persons American parents residing tempora-
ry abroad should be entitled all the rights Of natveborn
citizens; but
5 No person should be selected for political station
(whether foreign bh who recognises ale
glance obligation o description any foreign prince
poenate power who refuses to recognise the Federal
ans State Constitutions Teach within It's sphee paramount
TO an other laws, rules Of political action. -E
9th The unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights Of the several States and the cultivation Of
harmony and aterna good viii between the citizens OF the
States and this end interference by Congress
with questions apperanng solely the individual States
and nonnteryentiop by each State with the affairs u any
other State.
9Th The recognition Of the right Of the natiye-born and
natuazed citizens Of the permanently resd
ing in any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws and regulate their domestic and social affairs in their
mode subject only to the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution with the privilege Of admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite population for Repre-
sentative Congress POUded d1cdys, that none but
tho who are citizens Of the United States the
and laws thereof and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory ought participate in the formation Of
the constitution the Of laws for said Terri
tory or State.
sth An enforcement Of 'he principle that State Ter
rtory ought to admit than citizens Of the United
States to the right suffrage Of holding political Office.
9Th change in laws of naturalization making
tnued residence weny-one years Of all hereinbeore
provided for ndpens bic requisite FOR citizenship here
after and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores but no interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners
10th Opposition 10 any Church and State;
Interference with religious faith worship and test
Oaths for Office.
lth free and thorough investigation into any al al
Iedged abuses Of public funconaes and str ct economy
in public expenditures.
l2th The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
stutionaly enacted, until said laws shall be repealed
shall be declared null and void by competent Judicial au-
thorty.
18Th Opposition to the reckless and unwse policy the
present administration in the general management OF our
nation affairs. and more especially shown in removing
Am ricans (y designation and conservatives pnci-
Pile from Office and placing foreigners and ultras IN their
places shown trucking ube~viency 10 the stronger,
ana an nsoent and cowlrv bravado towards the weaker
powers shown reopening sectional agitation, by the
repeal Of the ssou Comprpm; shown in granting
upnatrazed foreigners the right II suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska; its vasciang the Kansas
Nebraska question: shown in the corruptOns which
pervade Of the departments of the Government;
dsgracug meritorous naval officers through pre-
judce CAPRICE and shown in the bunderng msman-
agement Of our foreign atoms
18th Therefore remedy existing evils. and prevent the
disastrous conzeauences otherwise resulting herefom
would build up the American Party" upon the principles
hereinbefore stated
18th. That each State Council shall have authority 10
amend their constitutions abolish the several
degrees, and institute pledge of honor, instead Of other
obligations Tor fell wshp and admission into the party.
18th free aud opel discussion Of all itica principles
embraced Ia our platform.