Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-27
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council
February 81, 1856

m An humble acknowledgement to the Supreme Being for
his protecting vouchssd fathers in their success
fol Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to us
their descendants in the preservation Of the liberties the
Independence, and the union Of these States
Cd The perpetuation Of Federal Union, the Psa
duof civil and religious liberties and the only sure
bulwark Of American Independence.
Sd Anerfcdns re Azaericd, and TO this end, M
Hrborn citizens should be selected for all State Federal and
municipal Offices or government employment in preference
10 all others nevertheless,
9Th Persons born American parents residing Temporal
ry abroad should be entitled the rights native
citizens; but,
5th No person should be selected for political station
(whether Of native foreign brh who recognises any ale
glance OF obligation Of any description foreign prince
poentate or power recognise the Federal
and State Constitutions leach within its sphere paramount
TO all other laws, as rules Of political action.
9th The unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights States and the cultivation d
harmony good will between the citizens Of the
States and to this end nonnteerence by Congress
with questions apperning solely to the individual States
and nonntervenon by each State with the Affairs q any
other State.
7h The recognition Of the right Of the native-born and
uaturazd citizens Of the United States permanently resd
ing any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws and to regulate their domestic and social affairs in their
Conrtuton privilege Of admission into the Union
whenever they the requisite population for one Repre-
sentative Congress Pr0oided dICds, that none but
those who are of the United States under the
stuton and thereof and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory ought participate In the formation Of
constitution in the enactment Of laws for said Terri
tory State.
sh An enforcement OF the principle that State Ter
rtory ought others than citizens Of the United
,rofho rfnolif ra1
9th change the laws Of naturalization making on
tnued residence Of years Of all not herenbeore
provided for an ndspen. requisite for citizenship here
after excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores bat interference
with the vested rights OF foreigners.
10th Opposition to any union Church and State
no interference religious faith worship, and test
oaths for office.
11h Free and thorough investigation into any and all al
edged abuses Of public unctionaes, and strict economy
In public expenditure.
18th The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws con
stitutonay enacted until said laws shah be repealed
shall be declared null and void by competent Judicial au
thority.
18th Opposition TO the reckless and unwise policy Of the
present administration in the general management Of our
affairs and especially shown in removing
Americans" (by desguaon and conservatives in prnci-
pie from Office, aud placing foreigners ana ua7 ia the
places shown trucking sub-ervency TO the stronger,
and nsoent and cowardy brayado towards the weaker
powers as shown in reopening sectional agitation hy TIE
repeal Of the ssou Compromise shown in granting TO
unnaturaEed foreigners the right Of suffrage in Kansas AMI
Nebraska shown in its Vascatng the Kansas
Nebrask question; shown the corrupons which
pervade Of the departments Of the Government as
disgracng mertoous naval officers through pre-
JUDGE caprice and shown in the blunderng msman-
agement Of our foreign ations.
l4h Therefore remedy existing evils and prevent the
disastrous consequences otherwise resulting therefrom
build up the American Party" upon the principles
hereinbefore stated.
18TH That each State Council shall have authority to
amend their constitutions abolish the several
degrees aud institute pledge of honor instead OF other
obligations for fell wshp and admission into the party
10Th free aud npen discussion Of all political principles
embraced ia platform.