Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-08-02
Platform OF the American Party, adopted
at the session OF the National Council, ,
February 2Ist, 1866.

III.
February 2Ist, 1866.
lst. An humble acknowledgment to the Su-
preme Being, for His protecting care youchsafed
to our fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to us, their de-
scendants, in the preservation of the liberties, the
independence, and the union of these States.
I'd. The perpetuaton of the Federal Union, as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties,
and the only sure bulwark of American Indepen-
dence.
Sd. americans must rule Anaerica, and to this
end aatiye-born citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal, and municipal Offices orgovernment
employment, in preference to all others: never
theless,
4th. Persons born of American parents residing
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 do
scripton to any foreign prince potentate or power
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions leach within its sphere) as 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, nonInterference by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the individual
the affairs of any other State. r
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-
sttution, with the privilege of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula-
ton for one Representative in Congress. PROVIDED
Nl.afx II
the United States, under the constitution and laws
thereof and who have fixed residence in any
such Territory, ought to participate in the forma-
tion OF the constitution, or in the enactment of
laws for said Territory or State.
Sth. An enforcement of the principle that no
State or Territory ought to admit others than cit-
zens o! the United States to the right of suffrage
or of holding political Office.
9th. A change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty-one years,
ofa not hereinbefore provided for an indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter and excluding all
paupeTs, 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.
1lth. Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionaries and
5tilCb tCoHoHiy puuIC expenditures.
18th. The maintenance and enforcement of all
laws constitutionally enacted, until said laws shall
be repealed, or shall be declared null and void by
competent judicial authority.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwse
policy OF the present administration in the general
management of our national affairs, and more es-
pecially as shown in removing "Amercans (by
designaton) and conservatives in principle, from
office, and placing foreigners and ultraists in their
places; as shown in trucking subservency to
the stronger, and an inselent and cowardly brava-
do towards the weaker powers; as shown in re-
opening sectional agitation, by the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise; as shown in granting to un-
naturalized foreigners the right of suffrage in Kan
sas and Nebraska; shown in vacillating course
on the Kansas and Nebraska question as shown
in the corruptions which pervade some of the de-
partments of the government; as shown in dis
gracing meritorious naval officers through preu-
dice or caprice and as shown in the laundering
mismanagement of our foreign relations.
l4th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
sultng therefrom, we would build up the "Ameri-
can party" upon the principles hereinbefore stated
10th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rity to amend their several constitutions SO as to
abolish the several degrees, and institute pledge
of honor, instead of other obligations for fellow
ship and admis sion into the party.
10th. A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform.