Daily American organ., 1856-03-19
WASHINGTON D. Q, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON MARCH 49, 1856
Platform of the American Party, adopted
at the session OF the National Council,
February 2Ist. 1856. -


mt the session OF the National Council,
February 2Ist, 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 perpetuatiop of the Federal Union, as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties,
and the only sure buwark of American Indepen-
dence.
Sd. americans must rule America, and to this
end, aatiVeborn citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal, and municipal offices orgovernment
employment, in preference to all others; meyer
theless, q @
4th. Persons born OF American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled 10 al the
rights of nativeborn citizens; but
5th. 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) 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
to 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 naturalized 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
n haya tha Ifiaifa nj Ia
ton for one Representative in Congress. Provided
alaoays, 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. E
Sth. An enforcement of the principle that no
State or Territory ough to admit others than cit-
OF the United States to the right of suffrage
or of holding political office. 3 as
9th A change ~ the laws Of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty one years,
ofal not hereinbefore provided for indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all
paupers and persons convicted of crime, from land
ing upon our shores but no interference with the
vested rights of foreigners ~ 5
10th. Opposition to any union between Church
and State; interference with religious faith,
worship, and no test oaths for office. As
lltn. Tree anu InOrOugn lnVeStlgatlOn INTO any
and all alleged abuses Of public functonaries and
strict economy in public expenditures
18th. The maintenance and enforcement of all
laws consttutionally enacted 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 general
management of our national affairs, and more es-
pecially as shown in removing Americans (by
designation) and conservatives in principle, from
Office and placing foreigners and ultraists in their
places as shown in trucking subserviency to
the stronger, and an insolent 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 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 blundering
Of our foreign relations.
14th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
sultng therefrom, we would build up the 'sAmeri-
can party" upon the principles hereinbefore stated
10Th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rty to amend their several constitutions, SO as to
abolish the several degrees, and institutes pledge
of honor, instead of other obligations for fellow
ship and admi< sion into the party. ~
18th. free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform.