The Georgetown news., 1856-05-15
The National American Platform.

IOr his protecting care vouchsafed to our
fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to us
their descendants, in the preservation of the
liberties, the independence, and the union
of these States
Second: The perpetuation of the Federal
Union, as the palladium of our civil and re-
ligious liberties, and the only sure bulwark
of American Independence.
Third: americans must rule l4nerzca, and
to this end, natlUe-born citizens should be
selected for all State, Federal and munich
pal officers of government employment n
preference to naturalized citizens; neverthe-
less:
Fourth; Persons born of American pa-
renGs residing temporarily abroad, should
be entitled to al the rights of native-born
citizens; but:
/ Fifth: No person should be selected for
political station, (whether native or foreign
birth,) who recognizes any allegiance or OBJ
/ legation, Of any description, to any foreign
prince, potentate, or Power, or who refuses
to recognize the Federal and State Consti-
tutions leach within its sphere) as para
mount to all other laws as rules of political
acton.
SiTth: The unqualified recognition and
maintenance Of the reserved rights IF the
several States, and the cultivation of har,
mony and lraternal good will between the
citizens of the several States, and, to this
end, non-interference by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the individ-
ual States, and non-intervention by each
4n4h tbo of. e ~.
NeUenth: The recognition of the right of
the nat;ve-b0rn and naturalized citizens of
the United States, permanently residing in
any Territory thereof, to frame their Con
stitution and laws, and to regulate their do
mestic and social affairs in their own mode.
subject only to the provisions Of the FEEDER
al Constitution, with the right of admission
into the Union whenever they have the re-
quisite population for one Representative
in Congress. Provided 0landys, 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 formation of the Constitution, or in the
enactmentof laws for said Territory or State.
Eighth: An enforcement of the principle
thac no State or Territory can admit others
than native-born citizens to the ri-ht of
suff age, or of holding political office, unless
sucE persons shall have been naturalized
according toythe laws of the United States.
Ninth: A change in the laws of naturai-
zati0n, making a continued residence of
/ tweaty-one years of all not heretofore pro-
vided for, and indispensably requisite for
citizenship hereafter. and excluding all pau
pers, and persons convicted Of crime, from
landing upon our shores; but no interfer-
encc with the vested rights OF foreigners.
Tenth; Opposition to any union between
Church and State; no interference with re-
ligious faith, and no test oatbs for office ex-
cepr those indicated in the fifth section of
this platform.
Eleventh.: Free and thorough investiga-
ton into any and all alleged abuses of pub
lie functionaries, and strict economy in
public expenditures.
Ticelfth: The maintenance and enforce
ment of all laws until said laws shall be re-
pealed, or shall be declared null and void
by competent judicial authority.
Thirteenth: Opposition to the reckless
and unwise policy of the present Admins
trati0n in the general management of our
national affairs, and more especially as
shown in removing Americans" (by desig-
nation) and conservatives in principle. from
Office, AMI placing foreigners and ultrasts
in their places; as shown in a trucking sub
| serviency to the stronger, and an insolent
and cowardly bravalo towards the weaker
powers; as shown in re-opening sectional
agitation, by the repeal of the Missouri
Compromises as shown in granting to un-
naturalized foreigners the right to suffrage
in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in its
vascillating course on the Kansas and Ne
braska question; as shown in the removal
of Judge Bronson from the Collectorship of
New York upon false and untenable
grounds; as shown in the corruptiOus which
pervade some of the Departments of the
| Government; as shown in disgracing meri-
torious naval officers through prejudice or
caprice; and as shown in the laundering
mismanagement of our foreign relations.
Fourteenth: Therefore, to remedy existing
evils and prevent the disastrous conseuuen-
ces otherwise resulting therefrom, we would
build up the american party" upon the
principles hereinbefore stated, eschewing all
sectional questions, and uniting upon those
purely national, and admitting into said
party all American citizens (referred to in
the 3D. 4th and 9Th sections, who openly
avow the principles and opinions heretofore
expressed, and who will subscribe their
names to this platform. Provided, never
theless, that a 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.
Fifteenth: A free and open discussion of
all political principles embraced in our plat
form.
A Boy at school in the West, when call