The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-07-04
THE AMERICAN PLATFORM.

lst. An humble acknowledgment to the
Supreme Being for His protecting care vouch.
safed to our fathers in their successful Revo.
lutionsry struggle, and hitherto manifested
to us, their descendants, in the preservation
Of the liberties, the independence, and the
union of these States.
2d. The perpetuation Of the Federal Union
as the palladium of our civil and religious
liberties and the only sure bulwark of Amer.
lean Independence
| Sd americans must rule America, and to
this end, native born citizens should be select.
ed for all State, Federal and municipal offices
or government employment, in preference to
all Others; nevertheless,
4th. Persons born of American parents re-
siding temporarily abroad, should be entitled
to all the rights of native.born citizens; but
9th. No person should be selected for po-
litical station, whether of native or foreign
birth, who recognizes any allegiance or obl:-
CATION of any description to any foreign
prince, potentate or power, or who refuses to
recognize the FEDERAL and State constitutions
leach within its spherel as paramount to all
other laws as rules Of political action.
9th. The unqualified recognition and main
tenance Of the reserved rights of the sew
eral States, and the cultivation of harmony
and fraternal good will, between the citizens
OF the several States and to this end nom
interference by Congress with questions ap-
pertaining 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
natiye.born and n,turalized 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 Constitution,
with the privilege of admission into eUnion
whenever they have the riqusite population
for one Representative in Congress. Pro
vided, ai,cays, That none but those who are
citizens of the United States, under the con.
stituton and laws thereof, and who have a
fixed residence in any such Territory, ought
to participate in the formation of the consti-
tuition or in the enactment Of laws for said
Territory or State.
sth An enforcement Of the principle that
noState or Territory ought to admit others
than citizens Of the United States to the right
of suffrage, or of holding political Offices
9th. change in the laws of naturaliza-
tion, making continued residence of twenty
one years, of all not hereinbefore provided for
indispensably requisite for citizenship hereaf.
ter, and excluding all paupers, and persons
convicted of crime, from landing upon our
shores; but no interference with the vested
rights of foreigners.
10th. Opposition to any union between
Church and State no interference with re-
ligious faith or worship, and no test oaths for
office.
llth. Free and thorough investigation into
any and all alleged abuses Of public func-
tionaries and strict economy in public ex-
penditures.
18th. The maintenance and enforcement
Of all laws constitutonally enacted, until eaid
laws shall be repealed or shall be declared
null and void by competent judicial authori.
ty.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and un.
wise policy of the present administration in
the general management of our national af-
fairs, and more especially as shown in remov.
ing "Americans" (by Gesignation) and con.
servatives in principle, from Office, and placing
foreigners and ultraists in their places; as
shown in a trucking subserviency to the
stronger and an insoent and cowardly bra.
vado towards the weaker powers; as shown
in re.opening sectional agitation, by the re.
peal Of the Missouri Compromise; as shown
in granting to unnaturalized foreigners the
right of suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska; as
shown in its vacllating course on the Kansas
and Nebraska question; as shown in the'cor.
ruptons which pervade some of the depart
ments Of the government: as shown in disgrac.
ing meritorious naval officers through preu.
dice or caprice; and as shown in the blunder-
ing rnismanagement Of our foreign relations
l4th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils,
and to prevent disastrous consequences 9TH
erwise resulting therefrom, we would build
up the american party" upon the principles
hereinbefore stated.
9th. That each State Council shall have
authority to amend their several constitutions
so as to abolish the several degrees, and in
sttute pledge Of honor, instead Of other oh.
legations for fellowship and admission into the
party.
10th. A free and open discussion of all po-
litical principles embraced in our platform.