Washington telegraph., 1856-10-29
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES
OF THE
4 NEE RIG A II p a X Il \

n ~ IL
l., An humble acknowied .,unent to The
Suoreme Being. for His protecting care
voucbsaf..d to our fathers in their successful
Revolutionary struggle, aud hitherto mani-
tested to u, their descendants. IN the pre-
servation of the liberties, the independence,
and the Union of these States
2l The perpe,uation of the Fedora
Union. as the palladium of our civil and
religious liberties, and the only sure bull
uark os American Independence
Sd. AMERICANS bust RULE AMERICA.
and to this end. natsre burn citizens should
be selected for all State. Federal, ana nu-
uicipai Offices. or Government employment
in preference To all others nevertheless,
ith Persons born of American parents
resi,.inc temporarily abroad. should be enti
tied ,o all the benefits of natIve-bOrn cltI
zens but
5th, No person should be selected for po-
litical station, (whether of native or foreign
birth who recognizes any allegiance or OBJ
liration of any description TO any f"reig1
prince. p0ientate. or power, or who refuses
TO reco.uizs the Federal and State COn~'i
,u,inns leach within It's sihere) "a para
mount to all other laws, as rules of politIca!
acton.
9th. The unqualified recognition and
maintenance of the reserved rights of the
several States. and the cultivation of haruln-
nv and fraternal good will. between the cit
liens of tho several States, and to this end.
nnn-in,erference by Congress with questions
appcrtainirg solely to the individual States,
and n-intervention by each State with the
affairs of any other State.
9TH. 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 canstitu
ton and laws, and to regulate their domes
tic and ,Ocial affairs in their own mode, sub
iect only to the provisions of the Federal
Constitution. with the privilege of admission
into the Union when they have the requI-
site population fur one Representative in
Congress ProUided Gi,oays, 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
the formation OF the Constitution. or in
the enactment Of laws fer said Territory or
State.
Sth. An enforcement Of the principle that
no State or Territory ought to admit others
than citizens of the United States 10 the
right Of suffrage. or of holding political of
fee
9th. 4 change in the laws of naturaliza-
ton. making continued residence of twen-
ty-one wears. Of all not hereinbefOre provI
dei for, ALI Indispensable requisite for ciii-
IL hui al
pers. and persons convicted Of crime. FROM
landing upon our shores; but no Inierfer
ence with the vested rights Of foreigners
10Th Opposition to any union between
Church and State; no interference with re-
ligious faith or worship. and no tests
for Office. except those indicated in the 18th
section of this platform.
Ilth Free and thorough investigation
into any and AL alleged abuse OF public
functiOnaries, and a strict economy in pub
lie expenditures.
I2th The maintenance and enforcement
of all laws consiitutOnally enacted, until
said laws shall be repealed, or shall De de-
clared null and void by competent judicial
authority.
18Th. Opposition to the reckless and un
wise policy Of the present administration in
;he general management of our national a.
fairs, and more especially shown in re-
moving "Americlns' (by de<isnaii"n) and
conservatives in principle, from Office, and
placing foreigners and ultraists in their pla
ces as shown in Il trucking subserviency
to the stronger. and an iuSolent aud coward
ly bravado towards the weaker powers; a.
shown in re-opening sectional agitation. by
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; a.
shown i'll granting to unnaturaiized foreign
ers the right of suffrage in Kansas and Ne
braska as shown in its vacillating course
on the Kansas and Nebraska question;
shown in the corrnpiions which Pervade
some of the departments of the government;
As shown in disgracng meritorious naval
officers through prejudice or caprice and
as shown in the laundering mismauagemeut
of our foreign relations.
4th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils,
and prevent the disastrous consequences
otherwise resulting therefrom. we would
build up the American party upon the
principles hereinbefo.e stated
18th That each State Council shall have
authority to amend their several constitu-
tons, 50 as to abolish the several degrees,
and institute a pledge of honor. instead Of
other obligations for fellowship and admiS-
sion into the party
10Th A free and open discussion of all
political principles embraced in our plat
form.