Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-09
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council
Febru ry 2I, 1856

LIST An humble acknowledgement to the Supreme Being FOR
his protecting vouchsaed fathers in their
full Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested 70
their descendants, the preservation Of the liberties the
independence, and the union q these States.
I'd The pepeuaton Of the Federal Union, the pala-
dium Of civil and religious liberties and the only sure
buwark of American Independence.
81 Americans must y5le Amercd, and to this end ma
Ueborn citizens should all Federal and
municipal Offices government employment in preference
to all others nevertheless,
4h born Of American parents residing Temporal
ry abroad should entitled al the rights Of
citizens; but
9th No person should be aeleced for political station
(vhether Of foreign brth who recognises any ale
glance obligation Of any description any foreign prince
po'enate power who refuses recognise the Federal
State Constitutions leach within its phere) paramount
TO all other laws rules Of political action.
9th TIE unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights Of the States and e cultivation Of
harmony and fratea good viii between the citizens Of the
several States and this end nonnterrence by Congress-
with questions aPperaung solely the individual States
and noninerventon by each State the affairs Of any
other state.
9Th The recognition Of the right Of the nativebom and
naturazed Of the United States permanently resid
ing in any Territory thereof TO frame their constitution and
laws to regulate their and social affairs in their
mode, subject only the provisions of the Federal
CONSTITUTION with the privilege Of admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite population Tor Repre-
sentative IN Congress Hroyi5ed 0irJys, that but
tho who are Of the United Stae- under the
stituon and thereof and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory, ought to participate in the formation of
the constitution in the Of laws for said Terri
tory State
sth An enforcement of principle that Ter
ritory ought admit others than citizens Of the Uhted
States right cf suffrage Of holding political office.
9th change in laws u naturalization, Inakinca
tnucd residence 81 twcntone years Of all not heeinbeore
provided f1r pns be requisite Tor citizenship here
after and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores but Interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
10th Opposition union between Church and State;
Interference with religious faith worship, ANA test
oaths for Office.
llh rer and thorough investigation into any and an al
edged abuses o public uuctonaIes and st Ct economy
in public expenditure.
18Th. The maintenance and enforcement, Of an laws
sttutonaly enacted until said Laws shall De- repealed, or
sha be declared null aud void by competent judicial au
thority.
18Th Opposition 10 the reckless and unvise policy n the
present administration in the general uagcmrut II
national affairs. and especially shown IN removing
Am ricans (by design alton and conservatives in p~inc-
pie from Office and p cng foreigners and uaists in their
places shown in trucking ,ub-crvioncy 90 the stronger,
and cowardv h~avado towards the weaker
powers as shown ia reopeninE sectional agitation by the
repeal of the VI uuI Compromise shown IN granting Co
uunauraed foreigners the right of suffrage IN Kansas and
NehraSka5 shown Nascllallg ut hiliS>
and Nebra-ka question; shown the couptous which
pervade the departments 81 the Government
shown sgracug meritorous naval officers through pre-
ufce caprice and sh 'wn in the laundering misman
agemcnt Of foreign atons
14h. Therefore remedy existing evils and prevent the
disastrous consequences otherwise resulting therefon
would build up the American Party" upon the principles
herenbef1re stated
10Th, That each State Council shall have authority 20
their several constitutions abolish the several
degrees, and institute pledge of honor instead Of other
obIg Itons for icl w,hp and admission into the party.
10Th. free and opea discussion Of all political principles
embraced ia platform.