Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-18
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council,
February q, 1855

An humble acknowledgement the Supreme Being for
his protecting vouced fathers in their
fu Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested to
their descendants preservation Of the liberties the
independence and the union Of these States.
Cd The perpetuaon Of the Federal Union, the paa-
dum civil and religious berties and the only
bulwark Of American Independence.
Sd Americans mpt y1Js Azaeica, and this end,
tirborn citizens should for al State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment in preference
to all others nevertheless,
4th Persons OF American parents residing Temporal
ry abroad should entitled all the rights Of natiyeborn
citizens but,
5h No person should be selected Tor political station
(vhether foreign birth recognises any ale
glance obligation Of any description any foreign prince
poteniae power who refuses to recognise the Federal
Constitutions leach within its pbere) paramount
70 all other laws rules Of political action.
9Th The unqualified recognition and maintenance q the
reserved rights Of States the cultivation Of
harmony good viii the citizens Of the
several States and to this end non-nteence by Congress
with questions appertaning solely the individual States
non-intervenon by each State with the affairs q any
other state.
7th The recognition Of the right Of the natveborn and
naturazed citizens Of the United States permanently esid
ing any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws and regulate their domestic and social affairs in their
own mode subject only the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution with the privilege of admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite population FOR Repre-
sentative in Congress. Pyocided al,cdys that but
tho who are citizens OF the United States
stituon aud thereof and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory, ought participate in the formation Of
the constitution or the enactment Of for said Terri
tory or state.
sh An enforcement 'he principle that State Ter
ritory ought to admit others than citizens the United
States right Of suffrage Of holding political office
9Th change laws II naturalization, making
nued residence Of weuyone years Of all not herenbefore
provided for ndpens bic requisite for citizenship here
after and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime, from landing upon shores but interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
1lth Opposition to any between Church state;
Interference with religious faith worship, and test
oathS for Office.
llh Free and thorough investigation into any ~ al
ledged abuses of public huconares and str ct economy
in pubic expenditures.
lZth The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws con-
additionally enacted until said laws shall be repealed or
shall be declared null and void by competent Judicial au
thoriiy
18Th Opposon TO the reckless and ungse policy Of the
present administration the general cement Of
nation affairs and especially shown removing
Amrricaps INV asgationi and conservative in prnr-
pie, from Office, aud placing foreigners and Ults ia their
"a IN T., IL, ana ,,3i, irr,,,,5, t,rS,r5. t,, y-Ear
powers, shown n reopcnng sectional agitation, by the
repeal Of the souu Compromise; shown in granting 20
unnatgrzed foreigners the right Of suffrage ia Kansas and
Netra shown in it, vascang the Kansas
and Nebraska question; shown IN the corruptions which
peryade Of the departments Of the Government
shown in dsgracng meorious naval officers through pre-
judice caprice; aud shown Ia the bunderng msman-
agement Of foreign r Htiuns
l4th Therefore remedy existing evils, and prevent the
disastrous otherwise resulting therofrom
would build up the American Party upon the principles
hereinbefore stated.
l5t That each State Council shall have authority to
amend their several constitutions abolish the several
degrees aud pledge Of honor instead Of other
obligations Tor fen whip and admission int" the party.
10Th free and ope discussion Of all litica principles
embraced ia platform.