Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-09-25
WASHINGTON C-sTHURsDAY AFTERNOON SEPTEMBER @ 1856

Platform OF the American Party, adopted
at the session or the Nati0nai Council,
February 2lst, 1856.
lst. An humble acknowledgment to the Su-
preme Being, for His protecting care vouchsafed
to 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.
I'd. The perpetuation of the Federal Union, as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties
and the only sure bulwsrk Of American Indcpen-
depce. as8 81 sse astaa3
Sd. Americans must rule Amsrica, and to this
end aatiysborn citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal, and municipal Offices or orgovernment
employment, In preference 70 ell others: never
4th. Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to Ill the
rights of nstive-born citizens but .e s
9th. No person should be selected for political
station, whether of native or foreign birth who
recognises any allegiance or obligation of any de-
scrption TO any foreign prince, potentate or power
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions leach within its sphere) as paramount
to all other laws, as rules of political action.
9Th. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
nance 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
70 this end, nOn-interference by Congress with
questions apPertaining solely to the individual
States, and non-intervention by each State with
the affairs of any other State. =
7th. The recognition of the right of the native
born and naturalsed 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 TO the provisions of the Federal Con-
sttution with the privilege of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula-
ton for one Representative in Congress- Provided
al.oays, that none but those who are citizens Of
the United States. under the constitution and laws
thereof, and who have fixed residence in any
such Territory, ought to participate in the forma-
tion OF the constitution, or in the enactment Of
laws for said Territory or State. 5r5
9Th. An enforcement Of the principle that no
State or Territory ough to admit others than citi
gems OF the United States to the right Of suffrage,
or Of holding political Office
9th. A change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty-one years,
ofal not hereinbefore for, an indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter and excluding all
psupers, and persons convicted of crime from land
ing upon our shores but no interference with the
vested rights of foreigners. =
10th. Opposition to any union between Church
and State no interference with religious faith, or
worship, and no test oaths for Office.
llth. Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionaries, and
a strict economy in public expenditures.
18th. The maintenance and enforcement OF all
laws costitutionaly enacted, until said laws shall
be repealed, shall be declared null and void by
competent judicial authority.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwise
policy of the present administration in the general
management of our national affairs, and more es-
pecially as shown in removing Americans (by
and conservatives in principle, from
Office, and placing foreigners and ultraists in their
places; as shown in a trucking subserviency to
the stronger, and an inselent and cowardly brava-
do towards the weaker powers; as shown in re-
opening sectional agitation, by the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise; as shown in granting to un-
naturalized foreigners the right of suffrage in Kan
and Nebraska as shown in its vacillating 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 dis
gracing meritorious naval officers through preju-
dice or caprice and as shown in the laundering
of our foreign relations.
l4th. 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 hereinbefore stated
18th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rity 10 amend their several constitutions 80 as to
abolish the several degrees, and institute pledge
Of honor, instead Of other obligations for fellow
ship and admission into the party.
10th. A free and open discussion Of all political
principles embraced in our platform.