Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-14
PLATFoRN OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session OF the National Council,
Febru,ry 81. 1856

It An humble acsnoVeg cement to the Supreme Being for
his protecting vouchsaied fathers in their
fu Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to u.s.
their Descendants in preservation n the liberties the
Independence, and the union of these States.
Cd The perpetuation the Federal Unon the pala
diun of civil and religious liberties, and the only
buwark Of American Independence.
Sd ABeio0Bs 1,ff y7,Le AH,eri,d, and TO this end,
tbor citizens should selected for State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment IN preference
20 all others nevertheless,
4h Persons born Of American parents residing tempOra
rly abroad should entitled TO all the rights Of
citizens; but
5th No person should be selected for political station
(wheter native foreign brth recognises any ale
glance obligation Of any description any foreign prince,
potenae power who refuses recognise the Federal
State Constitutions leach within its sphere paramount
70 al other laws as rules Of political action.
9th TIE unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights Of the several states and the cultivation Of
harmony good citizens Of the
States and this end nonnteerence by Congress
with questions apperainng solely the individual States,
and nonnteryenton by each State with the affairs any
other state.
9Th The recognition OF the right Of the nativeborn and
naturazed the United States permanently resd-
ing any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws and 10 regulate domestic affairs
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. Pro,i5e7 0touys, that but
tho who ctzns Of the United States under the
sttuion thereof and who have fixed residence
any such Territory, ought participate the formation Of
the constitution in the enactment Uf laws for said Terri
tory STATE.
sth An enforcement The principle that State Ter
ritory ought 10 admit others citizens Of the United
States 70 the right suffrage Of holding political Office
9th change in TIE law, of naturalization making
tnued residence of twcuyonc years Of all hereinbcore
provided for indspen 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.
10th Opposition any union between Church and State;
interference with religious faith worship, and test
oaths for Office.
1lth free and thorough investigation into any and al al
ledgei abuses o pnbic uuctouaes, and str Ct economy
in public expenditure.
12h The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
stit onaly enacted until said laws shall be repealed
shall be declared null and void by competent judicial
thority.
18th Opposition reckless and unwi.e policy Of the
present administration in the general management of our
national Affairs and more especially a. shown IN removing
American" tby deSgnnonl and CONSERVATIVES in prnci-
pie from Office and placing foreigners and uaists in their
places, shoTn in trucking subscrvrncy 10 the stronger,
and nsoent and cowadv bravado towards the weaker
power shown in reopening sectional agitation by the
repeal Of the ou Compromise; shown in granting 10
unuaturazcd foreigners right Of suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska shown in its vascilatng course on the Kansas
and Nebraska question; shown the cprrupous which
perva4r departments Of the Government;
sgraCng meritoruus naval officers through pre-
judre caprice and as Sh wn in the blunderng misman
agemcnt of our foreign atons
1il Therefore, remedy existing evils and prevent the
disastrous otherwise resulting therefom,
would build uP the American Party" upon the principles
herein before -tatrd.
5th That each State Council shall have authority 20
amenI their several constitutions abolish the several
dege apd institute pledge Of honor instead Of other
obligation for fell wshp and admission into the party.
10th free and opeo discussion OF all Political principles
embraced % platform.