Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-07-01
WASHINGTON. D. G. TUESDAY AFTERNOON. JULY l. 1856
Platform Of the American Party, adopted
at the session OF the National Council,
February 2lst, 1866.

at the session OF the National Council, ,
February 2lst, 1866.
ist. An humble acknowledgment TO the Su-
preme Being. for His protecting care vouchsafsd
20 our fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested 70 us their de-
scendants, in the preservation Of the liberties, the
independence and the union of these States.
I'd. The perpetuation of the Federal Union, as
the palladium Of our civil and religious liberties,
and the only sure bulwark of American lndepen-
denoo.
Sd dmerieans must rtls Anseriea, and to this
end, ,satipeborn citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal and municipal Offices or government
employment, in preference TO all Others: never
theless,
4th. Persons born of American parents reading
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the
rights Of native-born citizens but
9th. No person should be selected for political
station, whether Of native or foreign birth, who
recognises any allegiance or obligation of any de-
scription to any foreign prince, potentate power
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions leach within its sphere) paramount
to all other laws, as rules Of political action.
9th. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
nance of the reserved rights Of the several States
and the cultivation Of harmony and fraternal good
will between 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 of 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 and to regulate
their domestic and social affairs in their own mode
subject only to the provisions of the Federal Con-
stitution, with the privilege of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula-
tI,'n for one Representative in Congress. Providei
alioays, that none but those who are citizens of
the United States under the constitution and laws
thereof, and who have fixed residence in an,
such Territory, ought to participate in the forma
tion of the constitution, or IN the enactment of
laws Tor said Territory or State.
9th. An enforcement Of the principle that no
State Territory ough to ad lit others than citi-
zens o: the United States TO the right of suffrage,
or of holding political Office.
9th. change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty-one years
ofal not hereinbefOre provided for Indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter and excluding all
paupers and persons convicted Of crime, from land
ing upon our shores; but no interference with the
vested rights of foreigners.
10th. Opposition to any union between Church
and State no interference with religious faith, or
worship, and no test oaths for office.
llth. Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionaries, and
a strict economy in public expenditures
9Th. The maintenance and enforcement OF all
laws coi,stuIioially enacted, until said laws shall
be repealed or shall be declared null and void by
competent judicial authority
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwise
policy of the present administration in the general
management Of our national affairs, and more es-
peci,ly as shown in removing Americans (by
desgnation) and conservatives in principle, from
Office and placing foreigners and ultraists in their
places; as shown in trucking subserviency to
tlte stronger, and an inselent and cowardy brava-
do towards the -eaker powers; as shown in re-
opening sectional agitation, by the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise ;.as shown in granting to un-
naturalzed foreigners the right Of suffrage in Kan
sas aud Nebraska; shown in its vacillatng course
on the Kansas aud Nebraska question; as shown
in the corrnptions which peryade some of the de-
psrtments of the government; as shown in dis
giacing meritorious naval officers through preju
dice or caprice; md as shown in the laundering
mismanagement of our foreign relations.
18th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
sulting therefronl, we would build up the "Ameri-
can party" upon the principles hereinbefore stated
18th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rity o amend their several constitutions, so as to
abolish the several degrees. and institute pledge
Of honor instead of other oblis sations for Fellow
ship and adn'i sion into the party.
10th. free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform.