Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-09-04
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council,
Februqry 2l 1856

l humble acknowledgement the Supreme Being for
his protecting vouchsad 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.
% The perpeuaon Of the Federal Union, the palla
dum Of civil and religious liberties and the only
buwark Of American Independence
Sd AInericans naut se America and this end,
Ueborn citizens should all State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment in preference
TO all others: nevertheless,
4h Persons born Of American parents residing Temporal
riy abroad should be entitled all the rights Of natveborn
citizens; but,
5th No person should selected for political station,
(whether native foreign birth who recognises any allie
glance obligation any description any foreign prince,
potentate power who refuses recognise the Federal
ani State Constitutions leach within ts sphere as paramount
TO all other laWs as rules Of political action
9Th The unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
rights States and the cultivation q
harmony fraterna good win between the citizens of the
States and this end non-neerence by Congress
with questions apperning solely the individual States,
and nonntervenaon BY each State with the affairs any
other State.
7th The recognition right OF the natveborn and
naturazed citizens the United States permanently red
ing any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws regulate their domestic and social affairs in their
own mode subject only provisions Of the Federal
COnsttuton the privilege OF aonlaslon IIioh
whenever they have requisite population for Repre-
sentative in Congress PnoUided dt,oays that but
those who are citizens Of the United States the
stu0n and laws thereof and who have hxed residence in
any such Territory ought participate in the formation Of
constitution the Of laws for said Terri
tory State.
sth An enforcement Of the principle that no State or Ter
ritory ought others than citizens Of the United
States TO the right Of suffrage holding political Office
A in The Of naturalization, making
tnued residence twenyone years. Of all not herenbere
provided for ndspens be requisite for citizenship here
After excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores but interference
with vested rights Of foreigners.
10th Opposition any union between Church and state
no Interference with religious faith worship and test
oahs for office.
lith Free and thorough investigation into any
ledged abuses Of public funcOnares and strict economy
in public expenditures.
10Th The maintenance and enforcement of all laws
stitutonay enacted until said laws shall be repealed or
shall he declared null and void by competent Judicial au-
thority.
18th Opposition to the reckless unwse policy Of the
present administration in the general management Of our
Americans" (by degnatonl and conservatives in prnc-
pie from Office, and placing foreigners and ultrts in their
and cowardly bravadO towards the weaker
powers shown in reopening sectional agitation, by the
upnaturazed foreigners the right suffrage and
Nebraska; shown in its vasciatng the Kansas
and Nebraska question: a. SHOWN IN
pervade some Of the departments Of the Government
shown dsgracng meritoous naval officers through pre-
judce or caprice and shown in the bunderng msman
agement OF our foreign relations.
14th Therefore remedy existing evils, and prevent the
disastrous consequences otherwise resulting herefrom we
build up the American Party" upon the principles
hereirbefore stated.
18TH That each State Council shall have authority TO
amend their constitutions abolish the several
degrees aud institute pledge Of honor, instead Of other
obligations for fellowship aud admission into the party
18th free aud open discussion Of all political principles
embraced 10 platform.