Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-16
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council,
February 81, 1856

st An humble the Supreme Being for
his protecting care voucaed fathers in their success
full Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to
their descendants in the preservation Of the liberties the
Independence, and the union Of these States.
ID The perpetuation Of Federal Union the paa
dun Of our civil and religious liberties, and the only sure
bulwark Of A,perican Independence
81 Americans y7ls Anaeic0, and to this end, pa
trborn citizens should be selected state Federal and
municipal Offices government employment in preference
to all others nevertheless,
4t Persons born or American parents residing tempora
ry abroad should entitled all the rights Of natvebOrn
citizens but,
5h No person should selected political station
wheher foreign brth) who recognises any ale
glance obligation Of any description any foreign prince
poentate or power who refuses recognise the Federal
CONSTITUTIONS leach within its sphere paramount
70 all other laws As rules Of political action.
eth The unqualified recognition and maintenance of the
rights of The several States, and the cultivation Of
harmony and aternal good will between the citizens Of the
States and this end non-iner by Congress
with questions appertaning solely to the individual states
and nonntervenon by each State with the affairs u any
other State
7h. The recognition Of the right Of the natvebon and
naturazed citizens Of United States permanently esid
ing in any Territory thereof 20 frame
laws and to regulate and social affairs ia their
mode subject only the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution the privilege Of admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite population for Repre-
sentative in Congress Prorided oiDras that hut
tho who citizens Of the United States under the
and laws thereof and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory ought to participate in the formation Of
the constitution the Of laws for said Terri
tory or State.
s An enforcement Of he principle that State or Ter
rtory ought to admit others citizens Of the United
States to the right of suffrage Of holding political Office
9Th change in laws q naturalization, making
tnued residence Of twenone years of al not hereuDeiore
provided for indspeus be requisite for citizenship here
after, and excluding all paIper and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores; bat Interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners
l0,h Opposition 90 any union between Church and State:
Interference with religious faith or worship aud no test
oayhs for office.
llh tree and thorough investigation into any and an al
ledged of public functonaros and economy
in public expenditures
lgth The maintenance and enforcement Of all Laws con
stuuonay enacted, until said laws shall BE- repealed
SHAH be declared null aud void by competent judicial
thorty.
18Th Opposition to the reckless and unwse policy Of the
present administration in the general management of our
na1nu affairs. and more especially as shown iu removing
AMERICANS" tbv designation and conservative n prnc
pie from Office and placing foreigners and uitra in their
places shown in rucEuE subscryeHcy Go the stronger
and nsoeut and cowardy hravado towards the weaker
powers; shown in reopcunE sectional agitation, by The
Tceal the -suui CBunrDmi-,: shown granting
unnaurt-d foreigners the right Of suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska; shown in it vascatag cour the Kansas
and Nebraska question: as shown in the co~ruptous which
pvrvlds of the departments o the Governments a
shown IN gracng meoriDus naval officers through
judice caprice: and sh wn IN the bunderng msnau-
agement of our foreign re- ations
i4h Therefore to remedy existing evils and prevent the
disastrous consequences otherwise resulting theetom
would build Up the American Party" upon Tie principles
hcreubeflre .t1trd.
l5l. That each State Council shall have authority to
amend ster several constitutions 10 abolish the several
d-g.rs and institute pledge Of honor instead Of other
tiitaFt f1T U-l lIU i'm HE
10Th. free aud oTet discussion Of all Itica principles
embraced ia platform.