Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-04-10
AMERICAN PLATFORM.


preme Being for his protecting care vouchsafed
to our fathers, in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to us, their de-
scendants, in the preservation Of the liberties, tie
independence, and the Union of these States.
2. The ferpetuaton of the Federal Union, as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties
and the only safe bulwark of American Indepen-
dence.
g. .Americans must rule america, and to this
end, natiue- born citizens should be selected for
State, Federal, and municipal Offices or govern
ment employment, In preference TO all others;
nevertheless,
A. Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the
rights of native-bon citizens but
5. No person should be selected for political
station, (whether of native or foreign birth, )who
recognizes any allegiance or obligation of any de
scrption to any foreign prince, potentate or power
or who refuses to recognize the Federal and State
constitutions, (each within its sphere,) as para
mount to all other laws, as rules of political ac-
ton.
6. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
Of the reserved rights of the several States,
and the cultivation of harmony and fraternal
good will between the citizens of the several
States, and to this end, non-nterterence by Con-
gress with questions appertalning solely to the in
dividual States, and the non-interventon by each
State with the affairs Of any other State.
7. The recognition of the right of the native
born and naturalized citizens of the United States
permanently residing in any Territory thereof, to
| Al -, lo4o
their domestic and social affairs IN their own
mode, subject only to the provision of the Fed
eral Constitution, with the right of admission into
the Union whenever they have the requisite pop
ulation for one Representative in Congress. Pro-
u1ded dltrayS, that none but those who are citi-
zens of the United States, under the constitution
and laws thereof, and who have a fixed residence
in any such Territory, ought TO participate in the
formation of the constitution, the enactment OF
of laws for said Territory or State.
8. An enforcement of the principle that nc
State Territory ought to admit others than cit
izens of the United States to the right of suffrage
or of holding political Office.
Q. change in the laws of naturalization
making continued residence of twenty -onC
years, of all not herenbefore provided for, an in
dspensable requisite for citizenship hereafter
and excluding all paupers, and persons convicted
r of crime, from landing upon our shores; but nj
Interference with the vested rights of foreigners
10. Opposition to any union between Churcl
and State; no interference with religious faith,
worship and no test oath for Office.
IL. Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionaries anc
a strict economy of public expenditures.
y. The maintenance and enforcement of al
laws constitutionally enacted until said laws shall
be repealed, or shall be declared null and void by
competent Judicial authority.
10. Opposition to the reckless and unwise pol
icy of the present administration in the genera
management of our national affairs, and more es
D pecially as shown in removing "Americans" (b,
designation and conservative in principle, from
Office, and placing foreigners and ulraists in thei
e places; as shown in atrucking subservience to tn
stronger, and an insoent and cowardy bravad
towards the weaker powers; as shown in reopen
ing sectional agitation, by the rpeal of the Nilsson
ri Compromise; as shown in granting unnatural
lied foreigners the right of suffrage in Kansas an
Nebraska; as shown in its vsscIlating course o.
the Kansas and Nebraska question: as shown il
the cQrrupions which pervade some of the de
partments of the government; as shown insdisgrac
ing meritorious naval officers through prejudice o
S caprice; and as shown in the blundering misnian
agement of our foreign relations.
E IA. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, an
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re
sulting therefrom, we would build up the "Ameri
u can Party" upon the PRINCIPLES herein befor
: stated.
S l5. That each State Council shall have author
ity to amend their several constitutions so as
abolish the several degrees, and institute pledg
r of houor instead of other obligations for fellow
o ship and admission into the party.
g l6. A free and open discussion of all politics
a principles embraced in our platform.
d JEThe present cost TO an emigrant