Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-04
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted az the Session Of the National Council,
Febru .rY q. 1856

t An humble acknowledgement the Supreme Being for
his protecting vouchsaed fathers in their
fu Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to
their descendants in the preservation Of the liberties the
independence, and the union Of these States.
Cd The perpetuaon Of the Federal Union, the paa
dum Of civil and religions liberties snd the only sure
bulwark Of American Independence.
Sd Americans must yte Alaerica, and to this end
tuborn citizens selected for all State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment in preference
20 all others nevertheless,
9Th Persons born Of American parents residing Temporal
ry abroad should entitled all the rights Of natveborn
citizens; but,
5t No person should be selected for political station
(wheter of foreign brth who recognises ale
rance obligation Of any description to any foreign prince
poten'ae or power who refuses recognise the Federal
AMI State Constitutions leach within its phere paramount
70 al other laws, as rules Of political action.
9Th Tie unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights Of the several tes and the cultivation q
harm and raternal good viii between the citizens Of the
States and this end non-neerence by Congress
questions appertaning solely the individual States
aud uounterventon by each State with the affairs
other state
eth The recognition right Of the naveborn and
nat allied citizens Of the United States permanently resd
ing any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws and 70 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 one Repre-
sentative in Congress PrOri6ed dldcdys that but
tho.e who are citizens the United States under the
sttuon thereof and who have fixed residence in
any Territory ought participate in the formation OF
the constitution or in the Of laws for said Terri
tory state.
sth An enforcement Of principle that State Ter
ritory ought to admit others than Of the United
States to right Of suffrage Of holding political Office.
9Th change in laws of naturalization, making
residence Of twenyone years Of all not heeinbefore
provided for ndspens BILE requisite for citizenship here
after and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime landing upon shores but no interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
10th Opposition 10 any union between Church and State;
interference with religious faith worship, and no test
oaths for Office.
llth free and investigation into any and all al
ledged abuses Of public nctonares, and str Ct economy
in public expenditures.
18th The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
sttut0uay enaced until said laws shall be repealed
shall be declared null and void By competent Judicial au
thority.
18Th Opposition to the reckless and unwse policy
present al nnstraon ia the general management Of our
nation affairs and especially as shown IN removing
Am -cns" by designation aud conservatives in prnci-
Pile Office and placing foreigners and ultras in their
place shown trucking subServency 10 the stronger,
and and cowardy brayado towards the weaker
powers shown in reopenng sectional az aton by the
repeal Missouri Conpomise shown in granting to
unnauazed foreigners the right o suffrage in Kansas and
Nebfd-ka' sll"Wh IN lt Vas'ltllg course Oh
Nebraska question shown in the corrupons which
peryade the departments Of the Government;
in dsgaclng meorious naval officers through pre-
judice caprice; and sh in the bunderng misman-
agement of our foreign ations.
1h Therefore remedy existing evils and prevent the
disastrous consequences otherwise resulting therefrom
would build up the American Party" upon the principles
hereinbefore stated.
18Th That each State Council shall have authority to
amend their several constitutions TO abolish the several
degrees and institute pledge Of honor instead Of other
obg for fell wship and admission into the party
10Th. free aud opeo discussion Of all cal principles
enb-a -aced ia platform.