Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-02-14
American Platform or PrincipIe,.

| party Tor the District of Columbia. composed q
delegates from the subordinate councils of sai,
District the following platform of principles anc
| opinions was recommended TO the National ane
State Councils of the American party for adop
| ton:
lst. An humble acknowledgement Of the Su
! preme BENG who rules the universe for hi
protecting care vouchsafed TO our fathers in the
successful Revolutionary struggle, hitherto mani
ifested TO us, their descendants, in the preserya
ton OF the liberties, the independence, and the
union of these States
"a. The perpetuation of the Federal Union. as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties
and the only sure bulwark of American Indenen
| dence.
3D. americans must rule A,nerica, and to tbi,
END nat'veborn citizens should be selected for al
state, Federal and municipal offices or government
employment, in preference to naturalized citizens
| nevertheless.
4th. Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be- entitled TO all the
rights OF native-born citizens; but
9th. No person should be selected for political
station whether of native or foreign birth. who
recognise any allegiance or obligation of any de.
scrlption to any foreign prince potentate or power
or VINO refuse torecognise the Federal and State
constitutions leach within its sphere) as paramount
to oil other laws, or rules of political action.
9th. The unqualified recognition and ma;nte-
nance 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
10 TINS end, non-interlerence by Congress- with
questions appertaming solely to the Individual
States, and non-intervention by each State with
the affairs OF any other State
TN. 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 constitution and laws, and to regulate
| their domestic social affairs i'm their own mode
subject only to the provisions of rhe Federal Con-
stitution, with the right of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula.
ton for one Representative in Congress. Provfded
arrays, that none but those who are citizens OF
the United States. under the constitution and laws
Thereon, and who have a fixed residence in any
such Territory, ought to participate in the forma-
tlon oi the constitution or in the enactment OF
laws for said Territory or State
oth. An enforcement Of the principle that NO
state or Territory can admit others than native.
born citizens to the right of suffrage or of hold
ing political Office unless such persons shall have
been naturalized according to the laws of the United
| States
9th. change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence Of twenty-one wears
OF all not heretofore provided for an Indispensable
requisite of citizenship hereafter, and excluding all
paupers, and persons conyicted of crime from land
ing upon our Shores but no interference with the
vested rights of foreigners.
10TH Opposition to any union between Church
and State, no interference with religious faith. or
worship, and no test oath for office, except those
Indicated in the 9Th section Of this platform.
llth Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionaries. and
strict economy in public expenditures.
| 18th. The maintenance and enforcement of all
laws until said laws shall be repealed or shall be
declared null and void by competent judicis au-
| thority
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwise
policy OF the present administration in the general
management of our national affairs, and more es.
peeially as shown in removing Americans (by
designation) and conservatives in principle, from
Office, and placing foreigners and ulraists in their
places; as shown in a trucking subserviency to
the stronger, and an insolent and cowardly bravo.
do towards the weaker power; as shown in re-
opening sectional agitation, by the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise.
As shown in granting to unnaturalized foreign
ers the right TO suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska
As shown in its vacilating course on the Kansas
and Nebraska question. AS shown in the removal
OF Judge Bronson from the Collectorship of New
York upon false and untenable grounds As shown
in the corruption which pervade some of the de.
partments of the government. AS shown in dis.
gracing meiitorious naval officers through preu.
dice or caprice. As shown in the blundering mis-
management of our foreign relations.
18th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
suting therefrom, we would build up the "Ameri.
can party" upon the principles heretofore stated,
eschewing all sectional questions, and uniting upon
those purely national, and admitting into said par
ty all American citizens, Gas provided in the Sd,
4th, and 9th sections who openly avow the prin-
ciples and opinions heretofore expressed and who
will subscribe their names to this platform Pro-
yided, nevertheless, that majority Of those mem.
bcrs present at any meeting of local council
where an applicant applies for membership in the
American party may, for any reason by then
deemed sufficient, deny admission to such appli
| can't,
| 10Th. free and open discussion Of all potica
principles embraced in our platform.
| Respectfully submitted
JOSEPH II. BRADLEY,
President.