Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-06-27
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council,
Fehruary q, 1856.

I An humble acknowledgement the Supreme Being for
his teng care voucsafed fathers in their success
ful Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to us
their descendants the preservation Of the liberties, the
INDEPENDENCE and the union Of these States.
% The perpeuaon Of the Federal Union the palla-
dum civil and religious liberties, and the only sure
buwark Of American Independence.
Sd Americans must rule Asaeioa and 10 this end, Hd
born citizens should be selected for all State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment in preference
o. al others nevertheless,
4h Persons American parents residing Temporal
y asrOad should be entitled all the rights Of nativeborn
citizens; hut
er Of native or foreign birth who recognises any ale
obligation Of any description to any foreign prince
tate or power who refuses to recognise the Federal
Constitutions leach within its sphere) as paramount
10 all other laws rules Of political action.
9Th The unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights the several States and the cultivation Of
harmony and fraernal good will between Of the
several States this end nonntererenoe by Congress
with questions appertaning solely the individual States
and nonnervenuon by each State with the affairs Of any
other State.
9TH The recognition OF the right Of the nativebon and
naurazed citizens Of the United States permanently resid
ing in any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws regulate their domestic and social affairs in their
mode, subject only TO the provisions Of the Federal
whenever they have the requisite population for Repre-
sentative in Congress Procided d'ndys, that but
those who are citizens the United States under the
Ututon and thereof who have fixed residence in
any such Territory, ought participate in the formation Of
the constitution the enactment Of laws for said Terri
tory State.
sh An enforcement Of the principle that State Ter
rtory ought TO others than citizens Of the United
States the right Of suffrage OF holding political Office
,IivatI aLfrFr4 4,r0T,-
tnucd residence Of twenyone years. Of all not hereinbefoe
provided for ndpcn b requisite FOR citizenship here
after and excluding an psupers and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores but no interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners
10th Opposition to any union between Church and State;
interference with religious faith worship, and test
oaths for Office.
1lth Free and thorough investigation any and al al
edged abuses Of public uuctonares and strct economy
in public expenditures.
12th The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
stuuonay enacted, until said laws shall be repealed,
shall be declared null and void by competent judicial au-
thority.
18Th Opposition TO the reckless and policy Of the
present administration the general management Of
national affairs, and more especially as shown IN removing
Americans" (by designation and conservatives in princi-
Pile from Office and placing foreigners and uasts 10 their
places shown in trucking suhseryency to the stronger,
ana an nsoeut and cowardN towards e weaker
power shown in reopenng sectional agitation by the
repeal Of the Msouri Compromises shown In granting to
uunaturzed foreigners the right oil suffrage IN Kansas ana
Nebraska shown in its yascatng on the Kansas
and Nebraska question: shown in the corrupons which
prrvade or the departments of the Government;
shown disgracng meror0us naval officers through pre-
JUDGE caprice; and shown in the laundering misman-
sgement Of our foreign ations.
l4th Therefore remedy existing evils, and prevent the
disastrous consequences otherwise resulting ererom, We
would build mp the American Party" upon the principles
hrrsiubef1rs stated.
18th That each State Council shall have authority 10
umeud their several constitutions 60 abolish The several
degrees institute pledge Of honor instead Of other
cations for fell wship and admission into the party
10th free open discussion Of all political principles
embraced Ia platform.