Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-04-24
AMERICAN PLATFORM.

! l. An humble Acknowledgement 10 the Su-
preme Being for his protecting care vouchsafed
10 our fathers, in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to us, their de-
scendants, in the preservation of the liberties, the
independence, and The Union of these States.
| 2. The perpetuation of the Federal Union, as
the palladium of civil and religious liberties,
and the only safe bulwark of American Indepep-
dence.
3. .4mericdns must rule .dmerica, and to this
end, natire- born citizens should be selected for
! State, Federal, and municipal Offices or govern
ment employment, In preference to all others;
nevertheless,
4. Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled TO all the
rights of natiTe-born citizens but
5. No person should be selected for poIitical
station, (whether Of native foreign birth, )who
recognizes any allegiance or obligation of any De
scripton TO any foreign prince, potenae or power.
or who refuses TO recognize the Federal and State
constitutions, (each within its sphere as para
mount to all other laws, as rules of political ac-
ton.
6. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
nance of the reserved ri ghts of the several States
and the cultivation of harmony and fraternal
good will between the citizens of tile several
States, and TO this end non-interference by Con-
Gress with questions appertaning solely 10 the in
divdual States, and the non-nterventon by each
State with the affairs of any other State.
I. The recognition of the right of the native
born and naturalized citizens of the United States
permanently residing in any Territory thereof, TO
frame the constitution and laws, and to regulate
their domestic and social affairs IN their own
mode, subject only 10 the provision of the Fed
eral Constitution, with the right of admission into
the Union whenever they have the requisite pop
ulation for one Representative in Congress. Pro-
u,ded a'trdyS. that none but those who are citi-
zens OF the United States, under the constitution
and laws thereof, and who have a fixed residence
in any such Territory ought 10 participate in the
formation of the constitution, or the enactment of
of laws forsaid Territory or State.
s. An enforcement of the principle that no
State or Territory ought 10 admit others than cit
liens of the United States to the right Of suffrage
or ofhodiug political office.
0, A change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty -one
years, of all not herenhefore provided for an in
dspensable requisite for citizenship hereafter.
and excluding all paupers, and persons convicted
of crime, from landing upon our shores; but no
Interference with the vested rights of foreigners.
TO- Opposition to any union between Church
and State; interference with religious faith, or
worship and no test oath for office.
II. Free and thorough investigation into any
ard all alleged abuses of public functionaries and
strict economy of public expenditures.
: -. The maintenance and enforcement Of all
laws constitutionaIy enacted, until said laws shall
be repealed, or shall he declared null and void by
competent judicial authority.
/ 10. Opposition TO the reckless and unwise pol
icy of the present administrator in tie general
management of our national affairs, and more es-
peciay as shown in removing "Americans'' (by
designation) and conservative in principle, from
Office, and placing foreigners and ult alsts in their
places; as shown in trucking subservence to the
stronger, and an insolent and eowardly bravado
towards the weaker powers; as shown in reopen
ing sectional agitation, by the peal of the Nilsson.
ri Compromise; as shown in granting unnatural
lied foreigners the right OF suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska; as shown inits vascllating course on
the Kansas and Nebraska question; as shown in
the corruptions which pervade some of the de-
partments of the government; as shown in disgrace
ing mertorious naval officers through prejudice or
caprice; and as shown in the laundering misman-
agement Of our foreign relations.
IA. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
sulting therefrom, we would build up the "Ameri-
can Party" upon the principles herein Before
stated.
Is. That each State Council shall have author
ty to amend their several constitutions SO as to
abolish the several degrees, and institute pledge
of houor instead of other obligations for fellow
ship and admission into the party.
l6. A free and open discussion OF all political
principles embraced in our platform.