Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-06
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session OF the National Council
Februxry ol 1855

I An humble acknowledgement the Supreme Being for
his protecting vouchsaed fathers in their
fu Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested TO US,
their descendants preservation Of the liberties the
independence, and the union Of these States.
ID The perpetuaon Of Federal Union, the pala-
dum civil and religious berties and the only
bulwark Of American Independence.
Sd Americans must rie America, and TO this end,
1eborn should be selected for all State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment in preference
10 all others nevertheless,
4th Persons American parents residing Temporal
ry abroad should entitled all the rights Of natveborn
citizens but,
5t No person should be selected for political station
(wheter Of native foreign bh who recognises any allie
glance obligation Of any description any foreign prince,
potentae power who refuses recognise the Federal
State Constutions leach within its phere paramount
to all other laws, as rules Of political action.
9th TIE unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
rights Of the several States and the cultivation
harmony and aterna good viii between the citizens Of the
States this end nonnteference by Congress
with questions appertanng solely the individual States,
and by each State with the affairs any
other State
7 The recognition of right Of the nativeborn and
naturazed ctzeus United States permanently resd
ing any Territory thereof to frame their constitution and
laws and TO regulate domestic and social affairs in their
mode subject only to the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution with the privilege Of admission into the Union
whenever they the requisite population for Repre-
sentative Congress Prorded G'odys, that but
tho who are citizens of United States under the
stution thereof and who have fixed residence in
any Territory, ought participate in the formation Of
constitution in the OF laws for said Terri
tory State.
st An enforcement Of he principle that State Ter
rtory ought to admit citizens O the United
States to the right suffrage OF holding political Office
9th change in laws Of naturalization, making
nued residence Of wenyone years. Of all not herenbefore
provided for ndspens bic requisite for citizenship here
after and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime from landing shores but no interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
10Th Opposition union between Church and State
interference with religious faith worship, and test
oaths for Office.
1l eree and thorough investigation into any and all al
ledg-d abuses u public unctonare and str ct economy
In public expenditures.
12th Tie maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
stutionay enacted, until said laws shall he repealed or
shall be declared null and void by competent Judicial au
thorty.
18Th Opposition TO the reckless and unwise policy Of
present administration in the general management Of
nationi affairs, and especially shown in removing
Am.ricans" (by designation and conservatives in prnc
pie from Office placing foreigners and utrasts in their
place. shown tuckng subserviency % the stronger
and an nsoen and cowardy bravado the
powers shown In re0pcu'ng cions agitation, by the
repeal of the ssou Compromise; shown in granting 10
unnaturaze foreigners the right Of suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska; shown IN is vasciatng the Kansas
and Nebraska question; shown u the coruptOns which
pervade Of departments ~ the Government
shown dsgracng meritorous naval officers through pre-
iudce caprice and shown in the bundering msman
agement ~ our foreign atons.
l4h Therefore remedy existing evils, and prevent the
disastrous otherwise resulting herefrom
would build the American Party" upon the principles
hereinbefOre stated
18th. That each State Council shall have authority to
amend constitutions abolish the several
degr and institute pledge Of honor, instead Of other
obligations for fell wshp and admission into the party.
10Th free and ope discussion Of iticsl principles
embraced la platform.