Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-30
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Aaopted at the Session Of the National Council,
Tebru ~ q, 1885

I An humble noWledgemcnt the Supreme Being, for
his protecting care voucsacd fathers their success
fu Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested TO US,
their descendants the preservation Of the liberties the
Independence and the union Of these States
3D. The perpeuaon Of the Federal Union, the paa-
dium Of our civil and religious liberties and the only
bawark Of American independence.
81 Americans HH rate ABierico, and to this end ma
freborn citizens should be selected for all state Federal and
municipal Offices or government employment in preference
to all others nevertheless,
4h Persons born American parents residing tempora-
ry abroad be entitled to all the rights Of nativeborn
citizens but
5 No person should be selected for political station,
(whether Of native or foreign brh recognises any ale
glance or obligation any description any foreign prince
poenate power who refuses to recognise the Federal
ami State Constitutions leach within its sphere paramount
70 al other laws, as rules Of political action.
6s, The unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
rights Of the States and the cultivation
harmony and faterna good win between the citizens OF the
several States and this end nonntererenee by Congress
with questions apperanng solely the individual States
and non-interventon by each State with the affairs ID any
other State.
9Th The recognition Of the right Of the nativeborn and
nauralzed citizens United States permanently resid
ing in any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws and TO 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 ProUed alay., that none but
tho who are ctz ms Of the United States the
stution and laws thereof and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory, ought participate in the formation Of
the constitution the Of laws for said Terri
tory or State.
s An enforcement Of he prime pie that State Ter
rory ought 70 admit others than citizens Of the United
States to right Of suffrage Of holding political Office
9th change in laws # naturalization, making n
tnued residence twentyone years. Of all not hereinbeore
provided for pens bic requisite for citizenship here
after and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores but no interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
10th Opposition to any between Church and state;
interference with religious fah or worship and no test
oaths for Office. ~.
11tb free and thorough Investigation into anyand a al
dged abuses Of public functionaes and strct economy
in public expenditures
l2 The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
sttuonay enacted, until said laws SHAH b. repealed or
shall be declared null and void b. competent judicial au
tho~ity.
1s Opposition to the reckless and policy the
present administration in the general management of oug
naon affairs. and more especially As shown IN removing
Am rcans" (by designation and conservative in pnc
pie Office aud placing foreigners and ultrass in ther
piace- sh3gn trucking ub-crveucy 70 the stronger,
pJ m insont and c,wt-,y bravsdo toward, the weaker
power; shown in reopen ng secton agitation, by the
bepea Of the ssou Comp shown In granting TO
unnaturaled foreigners the rgt 4 sun age in Kansas and
Nebraska; shown Us vsclsng course the K7usas
and Nrbra,ka question: shown in the co~ruptions which
p.rvads Of the departments Of the Government
sgrac Rg meroripus naval officers through
judice caprice: and sh IN the bundering msman-
agenent Of our foreign re alfonso . '' IT
l4h Therefore remedy existing evils. and prevent the
disastrous otherwise resulting herefron we
would build up the Amerean Party" upon the principles
hereinb fore stated.
18Th That each state Council shall have authority 70
AMEND constitutions abolish the several
degres and institute pledge Of honor, instead Of other
obligations for fell w,hip and admission into the party.
10th free aud opep discussion Of all liica principles
embraced Ia platform.