Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-02-28
AMERICAS platform OF PRINcIPLEs.


At meeting of the Chief Council Of the Ameri-
can party for the District of Columbia, composed
of delegates from the subordinate councils Of said
District, the following platform of principles and
| opinions, was recommended TO the National and
State Councils Of the American party for adoption
lst An humble acknowledgment to the Supreme
! Being who rules the universe for His protecting
care voaehsafed to fathers in their successful
Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested to
us, their descendants, in the preservation Of the
liberties, the independence, and the uniun of these
| States.
3D. The perpetuation Of the Federal Union. as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties and
the only bulwark Of American Indepen-
dence.
3d. americans must rule America and 10 this end
nGtire born citizens should be selected for all State
Federal and municipal Offices or government em.
pOyment, in preference to naturalized citizens: nev
| ertheless,
4th. Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the
rights of native-b born citizens; but
9th. No person should be selected for political
station, whether of native or foreign BIRTH who
recognizes any allegiance obligation of any des-
crpton to any foreign prince, potentate or power
or who refuses to recognize the Federal and State
constitutions each within its sphere) as paramount
| TO all other laws rules of political action
9th The 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 Congress with questions
appertaning solely to the individual States, and
non Intervention by each State with the affairs of
any other State
7th. The recognition or the right Of the native
born and naturalized citizens OF the United States
! permanently residing in any Territory thereof to
frame their constitution and laws, End to regulate
! their domestic and social affairs in their own mode
subject only to the provisions Of the Federal Con.
stitution, with the right Of admission intothe Union
whenever they have the requisite population for one
| Representative in Congress. Provided dlsCaus
That none but those who citizens of the United
States, under the constitution and laws thereof and
who have fixed residence in any such Territory
ought to participate in the formation of the cons
tuition, or IN the enactment of laws for said Terito
! ~ or State.
Sh. A enforcement of the principle that no
state or Territory admit other than natve-born
citizens to the right of suffrage or of holding poti
cal Office, unless such person shall have been natu&
xrazed according to the laws of the United States.
7 9Th A change in the laws of naturalization, maxi
ing continued residence of twenty-one years, of
all not heretofore provided for indispensable reaui-
( site for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all
paupers, and persons convicted of crime from land.
ing upon our shores; but interference with the
vested Fights Of foreigners.
! r 10Th Opposition to any Union between Church
and State, no interference with religious faith or
worship, and no test oaths for office except those
indicatedin the 9th section of this platform.
18th; Free and thorough inv estigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functOnaries, and
strict economy in public expenditures.
18th. The maintenance and enforcement of all
laws until said laws shall be repealed or shall he de-
clared null and void by competent judicial authori
ty.
18th. Oppos iton to the reckless and unwise pol
icy OF the present administration in the general
management Of our national affairs, and more es
pecialy as shown in removing American" (by
designatiOn) and conservatives in principle from
ONCE, and placing foreigners and ultrasts in their
places; as shown in trucking subserviency to the
stronger and an insolent and cowardly bravado to-
wards the weaker powers; shown in re~opening
sectional agitation, by the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise, as shown in granting to unnaturalized
foreigners the right Of suffrage in Kansas and Ne.
breska; as shown in its yaclatiDg course on the
Kansas and Nebraska question; as shown in the re.
mOvslof Judge Bronson from the ColectOrship of
New York upon false and untenabe grounds; as
shown in the corruptons which perVade some of the
departments OF the government; as shown in dis
grazing merorious naval officers through prejudice
caprice; andas shown in the laundering msman
agement of our foreign relations.
l4th. Therefore, TO remedy existing evils and
OtlerWlse
sulting there from, would build up the "Ameri.
can party" upon the principles herein before stated
eschewng all sectional questions, and uniting upon
those purely national, and admitting into said party
all American citizens, (reftrred TO in the Sd. 4th,
and 9th sectio n,) who openly the principles
and opinions heretofore expressed, and who will
subscribe their names to this platform. Provided,
nevertheless, that majority OF those members pre-.
sent at any meeting Of local Council where all
applicant applies for membership, if the American
party may, for any by them deemed sufficient,
deny admission TO such applicant.
18th. A free and open discussion of all pOlitica
principles embraced in our platform.
HOW IT WAS RECEIVED.
After the reading of the new platform there was
loud applause, and proposition made TO have
five hundred copies printed for the use of the dele
gates. Without the question having been put upon
the proposition.
Mr.. Ready of Tenn, took the floor and made
speech upon the resolution of Mr.. Brewster to re-
peal the 18th section.
He was for harmony and union. There were
things in the 18th section that he thought unwise;
he not tenacious for the section, yet he would
not say that il was improper. The section was the
great hope of the American party in the South de.
stroy it, aud put nothing in its place. and the friends
Of the in that section despair OF success
Ii was necessary TO make some enunciaton OF the
construction by the party of the Consultation of the
United States; nothing short of some such decara
ton would calm the fears of the South.
Mr. Ready continued his speech at grea, length.
He contended strongly for the right Of the people
OF the territories to decide for themselves the
question of the character OF their domestic institu.
tons
1t was moved that the vote Of yesterday, calling
lOr the previous questions on Mr.. Brewsters resO-
luton Of repeal, be reconsdered, and the ayes and
nays be taken upon the subject.
Mr.. Edie moved 20 lay the motion to reconsider
upon the table. Lost by vote Of 70 ayes to So
nays.
The question to reconsider was then before the
Council Several points of order we're raised Great
confusion. Several delegates upon the floor
at once.
Mr.. Sheets, of Ind, then proceeded to discuss
the motion to consider the vote requiring the
previous question He was opposed to il, as il
would reopen the whole debate, that the previous
question was designed 10 cut OF.
A call was made for the previous question on the
vote to reconsider. Carried.
On the motion TO reconsider, the ayes and nays
were called
The result was as follows: ayes 81, NAYS 81.
When il was announced there was some applause.
The taking of the vote occupied much time, as
many Of the delegates gave very full reasons for
the votes they cast. Mr.. Breckenridge Of Mo-, took
advantage OF the opportunity to make regular set
speech when his name called.
The effect OF the vote was the re opening Of the
debate on the resolution to strike out the l2th
ton of the platform.
After much confusion, motion to reconsider the
previous question Of yesterday prevailed.
A motion made by Mr.. Danenhower that the
original resolution offered by Mr.. Burr, yesterday.
and the substitute Of Mr. Brewster be laid upon the
table.
Upon the motion OF Mr.. Danenhower tho ayes