Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-02-27
AN1ERICAN PI.ATFoRAf.

concluded at Philadelphia. 1t was first adopted
as viii be seen from the preface, by the chief
council of the District Of Columbia, and when
offered in the General Council was adopted by a
vote Of 1Ossyeas to u nays, we believe, from
articles in the public prints, that it does not give
satisfaction to the party at large.
At meeting of tho Chief Council of the
American party for the District of Columbia,
composed Of delegates from the subordinate
councils of said District, the following platform
of principles and opinions, was recommendedto
the National and State Councils of the Ameri
can party for adoption:
LIST. An humble acknowledgment TO the Su-
preme Being who rulest the universe, for hispro-
tecting care vouchsafed 70 our fathers in their
successful Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto
manifested to us, their descendants, in the pre-
servation 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 liber
ties, and the only sure bulwark Of American In
dependence.
3d. Americaas must rule A,nsriea, and to
this end, Hattre born citizens should be selected
for all State, Federal, and municipal officers or
government employment, in preference TO natu-
rallied citizens, nererthsEess:
4th. Persons born of Americans parents resi-
ding temporarily abroad, should be entitled to
all the rights of natiye-born citizens; but
9th. No person should be selected for politi-
cal station, (whether Of native or foreign BIRTH
who recognises any allegiance or obligation of
any description to any foreign prince, potentate
or power, or who refuses to recognize the Fed
eral and State constitutions (each within its
sphercl as paramount to all other laws as rules
Of political action.
9Th Tho lodi arorrrtfioY, nd
ance of the reserved rights of the several States
and the cultivation of harmony and fraternal
good will between citizens ofthe several States
and to this end, non-ipterference.b Congress
with questsns appertaining solely to the individ-
ual States, aud, non-interYention by each State
with the affairs of any other State.
18th. The recognition Of the right of the native
born and naturaIized citizens of the United States
permanently residing in any Territory thereof, to
frame their constitution and laws, and to regu-
late their domestic and social affairs in their own
mode, subject only to the provisions of the Fed
eral Constitution, with the right Of admission
into the Union whenever they have the requisite
population for one Representative In Congress.
Proeided al,oays that none but those who are
citizens Of the United States, under the conSti-
tuition and laws thereof, and who have fixed
residence in any such Territory, ought partici-
pate in the information Of the constitution, or in
the enactment of laws for said Territory or
| State
sth. An enforcement of the principle that no
State orTerritory can admit of others than ma
tive-born citizens to the right of suffrage, or OF
holding political Office, unless such persons shall
have been naturaliZed according to the laws Of
the United States.
9th. A change in the laws of naturalization,
making a continued residence of twenty-one
Nf Ill ntNfNr lodi
Indispensable requisite for citizenship hereafter,
and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
| of crime, from landing on our shores; but no
interference with the vested rights of foreign.
ers.
10th. Opposition to any union between
Church and State; no interference with religious
faith or worship, and no test oathS for office, cx-
cept those indicated in the 9th section of this
platform.
18th. Free and thorough investigation into
any and all alleged abuses Of public function
aries, and strict economy in public expendi.
lures.
laws until said laws shall be repealed or shall be
declared null and void by competent judicial
authority.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwise
policy of the present Administration in the gem
eral management of our national affairs, and
more especially as shown in removing "Ameri-
cans" (by designation and conservatives inprin-
ciple, from office, and placing foreigners and ul-
traists in their places; as shown in trucking
subserviency to the stronger, and an insolent and
cowardly bravado toward the weaker powers; as
shown in re-opening sectional agitation, by the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise; as shown in
granting to unnaturslized foreigners the right to
suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in
lIaf
ka question; as shown in the removal of Judge
Bronson from the Collectorship Of New York up
on false and untenahle grounds; as shown in the
corruptions which peryade some of the depart
ments of the Government; as shown in disgra-
cling meritorious naval officers through prejudice
or caprice; as shown in the laundering misman-
agement of our foreign relations.
l4th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise
resulting therefrom, we would build up the
american party upon the principles hereinbe-
fore stated eschewing all sectional questions, and
admitting into said party all American citizens
preferred to in the Sd, 18th, and 9Th sections who
openly avow the principles and opinions hereto
fore expressed, and who will subscribe their
names to this platform. Provided, nevertheless
that majority of those members present at any
meeting of local Council where an applicant
applies for membership in the American party
may, for any reason by them deemed sufficient,
deny admission TO such applicant, s,7-l
10Th. a free and open discussion Of all polit-
zeal principles embraced in our platform
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. BRADLEY, President,
JoPN L. SIXTH, Secretary
Posr orrtcE AfyA,Rs.-Postmaster General
Campbell orders the following: