Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1856-04-05
Platform Of the National American
Party.

lst. An humble acknowledgement of the
Supreme being who rules the universe, for
His protecting care vouchsafed to our fathers
in their successful revolutionary struggle. and
hitherto manifested to US, their descendants.
in the preservation of the Liberties, the inde-
pendence and the union Of these States
"a. The perpetuation of the Federal Union,
as the palladium OF our civil and religious
liberties. and the only sure bulwark of Amer
ican independence.
Sd. Americans must rule America and
to this end native born citizens should be Sc
lected tor all State, federal and municipal
Offices or government employment, in pre-
ference to naturalized citizens nevertheless,
M4th. Persons born of American parents re-
siding temporarily abroad should be entitled
to all the rights Of 4 native born citizen :;
but, o.
5th. No person should be selected for po-
litical station whether of native or foreign
BIRTH who recognizes any allegiance or obli-
cation Of any description to any foreign prince,
potentate OF power, or who refuses to recog-
nizs the Federal and State Constitutions
leach within its ephere) as paramount to all
other laws, as rules of political faction.
9Th. The unqualified recognition and main
tainance of the reserved rights Of the several
States, and the cultivation of harmony and fra
ternal good will between the citizens of the
several States and to this end, nonr interference
by Congress with questions appartaining solely
to the individual States, and nom inte, vention
by each State with the affairs of any other
State
9TH The recognition of the right of natu-
rallied and native born citizens of the United
CSata k1,v To-.
thereof, to frame their constitution and laws,
fairs in their own mode. subject only to the
provisions of the Federal Constitution, with
the right of admission into the Union when
ever they have the requisite population for one
Representative IN Congress, provided always,
that none but those who are citizens Of the Uni
ted States, under the constitution and laws
thereof, and who have fixed residence in any
such Territory. ought to participate in the for
nation Of the constitution. or in the enact
ment of laws for said Territory or State.
sth An enforcement Of the principle that
no State or Territory can admit others than
native born citizens to the right of suffrage, or
of holding political Office, unless such person
shall have been naturalized according to the
laws Of the United States.
9th. A change in the laws of naturalization
making continued residence of twenty-one
years, Of all not heretofore provided for. an
indispensable requisite for citizenship hereaf-
ter, and excluding all paupers and persons
convicted of crime. from landing upon our
shores but no inte rference with the vested
rights of forei sners.
10th. Opposition to any union between
Church and State; no interft renee with reIi-
gous faith. or worship, and no test oaths for
Office except those indicated in the 5th Sec
| ton of this platform.
lith. Free and thorough investigation into
any and all alleged abuses of public function
aries, and strict economy in public expend-
itures.
18th. The maintenance and enforcement Of
all laws until said laws shall be repealed, OF
shall he declared null and void by competent
judicial authority.
18th Opposition II the reckless and unwi,e
,, policy of the present Administration in the
general management of our national affairs,
and more especially as shown in removing
| Americans 10y designation) and conservatives
| in principle. from Office, and placing foreigners
and ultraists in their places as shown IN
trucking suoserviency to the stronger, and
an insolent and cowardly bravado tow,rds
, the weaker powers as Shown in re-opeping
sectional agitation, by the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise; as shown in granting to
unnaturalized foreigners the right to suffrage
| in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown IN the
| vascilating course on the Kansas and Nebras-
ka question; as shown in the removal OF
Judge Bronson from the Collectorship d New
York upon false and untenable grounds; as
shown in the corruptions which pervade some
of the departments of the Government; as
shown in disgracing meritorious naval officers
through prejudice or caprice; ard a. shown
in the blundering Jnismanagement Of our fer
cign relations.
14th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils,
| and prevent the disastrous consequences 9TH
erwise we would build up the "American
party" upon the principles hereinbetore sta.
ted, eschewing all sectional questions, and
uniting upon those purely national, and admit
ting into said party all American citizens,
| Preferred to in the Sd 4th and 5th sectIons)
who openly avow the PRINCIPLES and opinions
heretofore expressed, and who will subscribe
! their names to this platform. Provided, new
ertheless that majority of those members
present at any meeting of local council
where an applicant applies for membership
in the American party may for any reason
by them deemed sufficient, deny admission to
such applicant.
18th. A free and open discussion Of all po-
litical principles embraced in our platform.
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