The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-02-27
Amerioan Platform Of PrlnoEplsg.

At meeting of the Chief Council of the
American party for the District of Columbia,
composed of delegates from the subordinate
Councils of said District, the following plat
form of principles and opinions was recon-
mended to the National and State Councils of
the American party for adoption:
Is. An humble acknowledgment to the
Supreme Being who rules the Universe, for his
protecting care youchsated to our fathers in
their successful Revolutionary struggle, and
hitherto manifested to us, their descendants,
in the liberties, the independence, and the
union Of the States.
I'd. The perpetuation of the Federal Union
as the palladium Of our civil and religious lib
critics, and the only sure bulwark of American
Independence.
81. americans must rule america, and to
this end. natire born citizens should be select
cd for all States Federal, and municipal Offices
or government employment, in preference to
naturalized citizens, nevsrthe}ess,
4th. Persons who are Of American pa
rents, residing temporarily abroad should be
entitled to all the rights native born citizens;
but
9TH. No person should be selected for po-
litical station, (whether of native or foreign
BIRTH who recognises any allegiance or obi
CATION, CT any description. to any foreign
prince, potenta'e or power, or who refuses to
recognize the Federal and State constitutions
(each within its sphere as paramount to all
other laws, as rules Of political action.
9th. The unqualified recognition and main
tenance Of the reserved rights of the several
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 provis-
ions Of the Federal Constitution, with the
right of admission into the Union whenever
they have the requisite population for one Rep
resentatiye in Congress. Provide5 alJgays, that
none but those who are citizens OF the United
States, under the constitution and laws there
of and who have fixed a residence in any such
Territory, ought to participate in the formation
of the constitution, or in the enactment of
laws for said Territory or State.
9Th. An enforcement of the principle that
no State or Territory can admit others than
native born citizens to the right of suffrage,
or Of holding political office, unless such per-
sons shall have been naturalized according to
the laws Of the United States.
9Th. A change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence Of i years, Of
all not heretofore provided for an innispensa-
bic requisite for citizenship hereafter, and ex-
Guiding all paupers, and persons convicted of
crime, from landing on our Shores but no in
reference with the vested rights of foreigners
10th. Opposition to any union between
Church and State, no interference with reli-
gious faith, or worship, and no test oaths for
Office, except those indicated in the 9Th sec
ton of the platform.
11th. Free and thorough investigation into
any and all alleged abuses Of public functional
rieS, and d strict economy in public expendi-
lures.
18th. Maintenance and enforcement Of all
laws, until such laws shall be repealed, or
shall be declared null and void by competent
Judicial authority.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwise
tPUficy of the present administration in the
general management Of our nation affairs, and
more especially as shown in removing "Ameri-
cans" (by designation and conservatives in
i principle, from office, and placing foreigners
and ultraists in their places; as shown in
trucking subseryiency to the stronger, and
nsolent and cowardly bravado towards the
weaker powers; as shown in re-opcnng sec
tional agitation, by repeal of the Missouri
Compromise; as shown in granting to unnatu-
rallied foreigners the right Of suffrage in Kan
sas and Nebraska as shown in the removal Of
Judge Bronson from the Collectorship of New
York upon false and untenable grounds; as
shown in the corruption which peryades some
| OF the departments OF Jhe government; as
shown in disgracng meritorious naval officers
through prejudice or caprice; and as shown in
the laundering mismanagement of our foreign
relations.
14th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils,
and prevent the disastrous consequences other
wise resulting therefrom, we would build up
the american party" upon the principles
hereinbefore stated, eschewing all sectional
questions, and uniting upon those purely ma
tional, and admitting into said party, all
American citizens, (referred to in the 3D. 4th
and 9th sections, who openly avow the princi
pies and opinious heretofore expressed, and
who will subscribe their names to this plat
form. Provided, nevertheless, that majority
of those members present at any meeting ola
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.
18th. A free and open discussion of all po-
litical principles embraced in our platform.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. BRADLEY, Pres't.
JSo. L. SMITH, Secretary.