American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-06-21
AMERICAN PLATFORM


in their successful Revolutionary struggle,
and hitherto manifested to us their descend
| ants, in the preservation Of the liberties, the
independence, and the union of these States.
3D. The Perpetuation Of the Federal Union
as the palladium of our civil and religious
| liberties, and the only sure bulwark of Amer
| ican Independence.
81. AMERICANS MUST RULE AMERICA, and
to this end, nGtire. born citizens should be Sc.
lected for all State, Federal, and municipal
Offices or government employment, in pref.
erence to natnralized citizens nevertheless,
4th. Persons born of American parents
residing temporarily abroad, should be emit
tied to all the rights Of native born citizens;
| but
J 9Th. No person should be selected for po-
4 litical stations whether Of native or foreign
lbirth) who recognizes any allegiance or OBJ.
igation of any description 10 any foreign
prince, potenta,e or power, or who refuses
TO recognize the Federal and State constitu-
lions (each within its sphere) as paramount
to al! other laws, as rules Of political action
9Th The unqualified recognition and MAIN
tenance 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 to- this end, non-inter-
ference by Congress with questions apper-
tanning solely to the individual States, and
non-in,ervention BY each State with the af-
fairs of any other State. -.
9TH. The recognition of the RICH, 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 and
social affairs in their own mode, subject only
10 the provisions of the Federal Constitution,
with the right Of admission into the Union
| whenever they have the requisite popula.
ton for one Representative in Congress-
| Provided. G!iSGys, that none but those who
are citizens of the United States, under the
| constitution aud laws thereof, and who have
fixed residence in any such Territory,
ought to participate in the formation of the
constitution, or in the enactment Of laws
for said Territory or State.
9th. An enforcement of the principle that
no State or Territory can admit others than
native born citizens TO the right Of suffrage,
or of holding political office, unless such
| person shall have been naturalized accord.
ing to the laws Of the United States.
9th. "A change in the laws Of naturalza
ton, making continued residence Of TWEEN
| ty.one years, of all not heretofore provided
for, an indispensable requisite for citizen.
! ship hereafter aud excluding all paupers and
persons convicted Of crime. from landing
upon ouT shores but no interference with
the vested rights OF foreigners.
10th Opposition to any union between
| Church and State no interference with re.
ligious faith, or worship, and no lest this
for Office, excep, those indicated in the 9Th
section OF this platform.
| l1th. Free and thorough investigation in.
to any and all alleged abuses Of public fuuc.
tionaries, and stric, economy in public ex.
penditures. ..
18Th. The maintenance and enforcement
OF all laws until said laws shall be repealed
or shall be declared null and void by compe-
tent judicial authority. r.... ...E
18th. Opposition to the reckless & unwise
policy Of the present administration in the
! general management Of our national affairs.
and more especially as shown in removing
"Americans" (by designation) and conserva-
iiyes in principle, from Office, and placing
foreigners and ultraiss in their places as
shown in trucking subserviency to the
stronger, and an insolent and cowardIy bra
vedo towards tho weaker powers as shown
in re-opening sectional agitation, by the re-
peal OF The Missouri Compromise as shown
in granting TO unnaturalized foreigners the
right to suffrage in kansas and Nebraska
as shown in its yascilaing course on the
Kansas aud Nebraska question; ss shown
in the removal OF Judge Bronson from the
Collectorsbip OF New York upon false and
untenable grounds; as shown in the corrup-
tons which pervade some Of the depart.
mcnis OF the government as shown in dis.
gfacIng meTl,orious naval officers through
prejudice or caprice and as shown in he
blundering mismanagemeni Of our foreg1
relations.
l4th. Therefore, 10 remedy existing evils
and prevent the disastrous consequences
otherwise resulting therelrom, we would
build up the American party" upon the
principles hereinbefore stated, esche " ing all
sectional questions. and uniting upon those
purely national, aud admitting into said
party all American citizens, (fefeued 10 in
The Sd, 9TH, and 9Th sections,l who openly a.
vow the principles and opinions heretofore
expressed, and who will eubscribo their
names TO this platform, Provided, never.
theless, that majority Of those members
present at any meeting of local council |
where an applicant applies for mem bership |
in the American party may, for any reason |
by them deemed sufficient, deny admission
TO such applicant.
10Th. A free end open discussion Of all /
political principles m6gacpd IN or ristfogm |