The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-03-12
National Know-Nothing Plat

The following is the celebrated Dis.
trict of Columbia Platform, which was
also adopted at the recent National con,
v~ention of the party, and is the Platform
on which FILLMORE and DoNALDsoN
stand. We publish it that Democrats
may cut it put and paste it in some book,
or lay it away for future reference.
There will be frequent inquiries for it
when the campaign commences.
KHow-NoTH1NG PLATFORM.
/. A humble acknowledgment to the
Supreme Being who rules the universe
for his protecting care vouchsafed to our
fathers in their successful Revolution
airy struggle, and hitherto manifested 10
us, their descendants, in the preserva-
ton of the liberties, the independence,
and the Union of these States.
2. The perpetuation Of the federal
Union and constitution as the palladium
of our civil and religious liberties, and
the only sure bull aark of American In-
dependence.
o. L1uuSIlCdbS ia IuIC Z1ulGEICa, u0Q
to this end native born citizens should
be selected for all State, federal and
municipal Offices or government employ
ment, in preference to all others; never
theless.
a.. Persons born of American parents
residing temporarily abroad, should be
entitled to all the rights of native born
citizens; but
5. No person should be selected for
political station, whether of native or
foreign birth,) who recognizes any allie
glance or obligation of any description
to any foreign prince, potentate or pow
er, or who refuses to recognize the fede-
raj and State constitutions leach within
its sphere) as paramount to all other
laws, as rules of political action.
6. Tho unqualified recognition and
maintenance of the reserved rights of
the several States, and the cultivation
of harmony and fraternal good will be-
tween the citizens of the several States,
and to this end, non-interference by Con-
gress with questions appertaining solely
to the individual States, and non-inter-
%vention by each State with the affairs of
any other State.
T. The recognition of the right of the
native born and naturalized citizens of
the United States, permanently residing
in any Territory thereof, to frame the
constitution and laws, and to regulate
their domestic and social affairs in their
own mode, subject only to the provi-
sions of the federal constitution, with
the privilege of admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite popu
lation for one representative in Congress.
Provided always, that none but those
who are citizens of the United States,
under the constitution and laws thereof,
and who have a fixed 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.
g.. An enforcement of the principle
that no State or territory ought to ad-
NIT others than of the United States to
the right of suffrage, or ofholding politi-
cal Office.
9. a change in the laws of naturali-
cation, making a continued residence of
t~wenty-one years of all not heretofore
provided for an indispensable requisite
for citizenship hereafter, and excluding
all paupcrs and persons convicted of
crime from landing upon our shores but
no interference with the vested rights of
foreigners.
10. Opposition to any union between
Church and State ; no interference with
religious faith or worship, and no test
oaths for Office.
II. Free aud thorough investigation
into any and all alledged abuses of pub
lie functionaries, and a strict economy
in public expenditures.
IL. The maintenance and enforcement
of all laws, constitutionally enacted, un-
til said laws shall be repealed, or shall
be declared null and void by competent
and judicial authority.
Is. Opposition to the reckless and
unwise policy of the present administra-
tion in the general management of our
national affairs, and more especially as
shown in removing Americans" (by de-
signation and conservatives in principle)
from Office and placing foreigners and
ultraists in their places, as shown in a
trucking subserviency to the stronger,
and an insolent and cowardly bravado
towards the weaker powers; as shown
in r~e-opening sectional agitation by the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise /; as
shown in granting to unnaturalized for
eiguers the right of suffrage in the Kan
sas and Nebraska question ; as shown in
the corruptions which pervade some of
the departments of the government; as
shown in disgracing meritorious naval
officers, through prejudice or caprice /;
and as shown in the laundering misman-
agement of our foreign relations.
ID. Therefore to remedy existing
evils, and prevent the disastrous conse-
quences otherwise resulting therefrom,
we would build up the American par
ty" upon the principles herein before
stated.
Is. That each State Council shall have
authority to annul their several consti-
buttons so as to abolish the several de-
grees, and substitute a pledge of honor
instead of other obligations, for fellow
ship and admission into the party.
16. A free and open discussion of all
political principles embraced in u
platform.
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC STATE Con-