Washington telegraph., 1856-03-26
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES
OF THE
4 NJ E RI @ A N p A r 7 Y i.
Adopted at the Session of the National
Council, Feb. 21st, 1856.

1st An humble acknowledgment to the
Supreme Being, for His protecting care
vouchsafed to our fathers In their successful
Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto mani
tested to Us, their descendants. IN the pre-
serva.ion of the liberties. the independence,
and the Union of these States.
q. The perpetuation of the Federal
Union. as the palladium of our civil and
religious liberties, and the only sure bull
Nark of American Independence
Sd. AMERICANS MUST RULE AMERICA,
and to this end, ,aatire- born citizens should
be selected for all State, Federal, and mu-
l.icipai offices, or Government employment,
in preference to all others: nevertheless,
4th. Persons born of American parents
residing temporarily abroad, should be enti
tied to all the benefits of native-born citi-
zens: but
5th, No person should be selected for po-
ltical station, (whether of native or foreign
birth who recognizes any allegiance or OBJ
LEGATION of any description to any foreign
prince. potentate. or power, or who refuses
to recognize the Federal and State Consti-
tutions Teach within its sphere) as para
muunt to all other laws, as rules Of political
acton.
Cab The unqualified recognition and
maintenance of the reserved rights of the
several States, aud the cultivation of harmo-
ny and fEaternal good will, between the cit
izens of the several States, and to this end.
noE-interference by Congress with questions
appertainirg solely to the individual States.
h. sh 81
affairs of any other State.
Ith- The recognition of the right of the
native born and naturalized citizens of the
United States. permanently residing in any
Territory thereof to frame their constitu-
ton and laws, and TO regulate their domes-
tic and social affairs in their own mode. sub
iect only to the provisions of the Federal
Constitution. with the privilege Of admission
into the Union when they have the requi-
site population for one Representative in
Congress. Provided aLtcays. that none
but those who are citizens of the United
States, under the constitution and laws
thereof. and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory. oughS to participate in
the formation of TIE Constitution, or in
the enactment Of laws for said Territory or
State
Sih. An enforcement of the principle that
no State or Territory ought to admit others
than citizens of the United States to the
right Of suffrage. or of holding political of
6ce.
9th. A change in the laws of naturaliza-
ton. making continued residence of TWEEN
ty-One years. of all not hereinbefore provi-
ded for, ali indispensable requisite for citi-
zenshIp hereafter, and excluding all pau
pers. and persons convicted of crime, from
landing upon our shores; but no interfer-
ence with the vested rights of foreigners.
10Th Opposition to any union between
Church and State; no interference with re-
IglOus faith or worship, and no tests
for office, except those indicated in the 5th
section Of this platform
llth- Free and thorough investigation
into any aad AL alleged abuse of public
fane'iOnaries. and a strict economy in pub
lie expenditures
18th. The maintenance and enforcement
of all laws cons;itutionally enacted, until
said laws shall be repealed, or shall be Ge-
elared null and void by competent judicial
authority.
l3th- Opposition to the reckless and un
wise policy of the present administration il
the general management of our national af
fairs. and more especially as shown in re
moving Americans" (by deSignation) ant
conservatives in principle. from Office, anc
placing foreigners and uliraists in their pla
ces; as shown in trucking subserviency
the stronger. and an insolent and coward
ly bravadO towards the weaker powers; a
shown in re-opening sectional agitation, b.
the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise a
shown in granting to unnaturalized foreign
ers the right of suffrage in Kansas and Ne
braska; as shown in its vacIllating cours,
on the Kansas and Nebraska question a
shown in the corruptions which pervad,
some of the departments of the government
as shown in disgracing meritoriOns nava
offleers through prejudice or caprice: anC
as shown In the blundering mismanagemen
OF our foreign relations.
l4th- Therefore, to remedy existing evils
nd prevent the disastrous consequence:
iherwise resulting therefrom, we would
uild up the American party" upon the
-inciples bereinbefore stated
10Th That each State Council shall have
lthority to amend their several constitu
ms. as to abolish the several degrees
I'd institute pledge of honor. instead o.
her obligations for fellowship and admis
lion into the party.
10th A free and open discussion of al
political principles embraced in our plat
form.