Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-12
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council,
February 81, 1855

Let humble the Supreme Being for
his protecting vouchsacd fathers in their
fu Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested to u.s.
their descendants the preservation of the liberties the
independence and the union Of these States.
3D. The perpetuaton Of the Federal Union the pala-
dum Of civil and religious liberties and the only
bulwark Of American Independence
81 Ane7icdps a,et ,ge Aiaeiod, and to this end,
oboru citizens should be selected for all State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment, in preference
90 all others nevertheless,
4th Persons born Of American parents residing tempors
ry abroad should entitled all the rights Of natiTebOrn
citizens; but,
5th No person should be selected for political station
(hether Of native foreign bhl Sho recognises ale
glance obligation Of any description foreign prince
potene power who refuses 20 recognise the Federal
ans Constitutions leach within It's Phere paramount
% all other laws rules Of political action
9th The unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights the states and the cultivation 6
harmony good will the citizens OF the
States and this end nonnerference by Congress
with questions sppertanng solely the individual States,
and nonnteryenon by each State with the affairs any
other state
T The recognition Of the right Of the nativeborn and
naturazed citizens Of the United permanently resd
ing any Territory thereof TO frame their constitution and
laws snd regulate er domestic and social affairs in their
mode subject only the provisions of the Federal
Constitution the privilege Of admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite population for Repre-
sentative Congress Porded dt'odys, that but
tho who are citizens United States under the
suion and laws thereof and who have fixed residence in
any suc Territory ought participate in the formation Of
the constitution in the enactment Of laws for said Terri
tory State.
sth An Of he principle that State Ter
rory ough; admit others than citizens Of the United
States right suffrage Of holding political Office
9th. change in laws Of naturalization, making
nueA residence Of wenyone years Of all not herenbeOre
provided for ndspeus bic requisite for citizenship here
As. and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime, from landing upon shores but no interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners
10Th Opposition any union between Church and State
interference with religious faith or worship and no test
oaths for Office
I1h. and thorough investigation into any and an al
edged abuses Of public funconaries, and str ct economy
In pubic expenditures.
18TH The maintenance and enforcement of all laws
stitutunaly enacted until said laws shall be repealed
shal be declared null aud void by competent judicial
thority.
18th Opposition to the reckless and unwse policy Of the
present administration In the general Of
nation affairs and especially shown in removing
" Thy designation and conservatives in prnci
pacr; shown trucking subervency TO the stronger,
aud nsoent and cowardy bravado towards the weaker
powers shown in reopcnng sectional agitation by the
repeal Of the Missouri Compromise, shown in granting
unnaraEed foreigners the right OF suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska shosn in its vssclang the Kansas
and Nebraka question: shown ia the corrupons which
pervade OF the deDartments of the Governments
shown dsgracng merorious naval officers through
JUDGE caprice: and shown in the bunderng msulan
agement of our foreign re ations
l4th Therefore remedy existing evils and prevent the
disaos otherwise resulting therefrom
would build up the American Party" upon the principles
hereinbtfOre stated.
18th That each State Council shall have authority to
their several constitutions abolish the several
degrees and institute pledge Of honor, instead Of other
Obligations for fell wship aud admission into the party
18TH. free and opea discussion Of all lcal principles
embraced ia platform.