Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-29
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council,
Pebru.ry q, 1856

fst An humble acknowledgement the Supreme Being for
his protecting care vouced fathers in their success
fu Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to u.s.
their descendants preservation Of the liberties, the
independence and the union q these States
I'd The perpetuation Of the Federal Unon as the pala
dum civil and religious liberties, and the only sure
bulwark Of American Independence
81 Ameroans mtlt ,7le Adseioo and to this end, ma
tyrp citizens should be Tor all State, Federal and
municipal Offices or government employment, in preference
20 all others nevertheless,
4h Persons born OF American parents residing temPOra
riy abroad should be entitled all the rights Of native born
citizens; hut,
5th No person should be selected fer political station
whether Of native foreign brt who recognises ale
glance or obligation Of any description any foreign prince
otentae or power or refuses recognise the Federal
an State constitutions Teach within its sphere paramount
10 al other laws, a rules Of political action.
9th TIE unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights Of the several States, and the cultivation
harmony good will between the citizens Of the
several States this end nonnterrence by Congress
with questions appertaning solely the individual States
and non-ntervenon by each State with the affairs d any
other State.
7th The recognition Of right Of the natveborn and
uaturazed citizens Of the United States permanently resd
ing any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws and to regulate their domestic and social affairs in their
own mode subject only the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution the privilege Of admission into the Union
whenever they the requisite population for Repre-
sentative in Congress. P,Orided dlodys, that but
tho who are citizens the United States under the
stuon and thereof and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory ought participate in the formation Of
the constitution the OF laws for said Terri
tory state
sth An enforcement Of principle that State Ter
ritory ought 10 admit others than Of the United
States to the right cf suffrage Of holding political Office.
9Th change in . laws u naturalization, making
tuued residence twentyone years Of all not hereinbefore
provided f, ndpns bic requisite for citizenship here
after and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores but no interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
i0t Opposition any between Church and state;
30 Interference with religious faith or worship, and no test
oath, for Office.
1th rree and thorough investigation into any and all al
ledged Of public functonaies and strct economy
In public expenditures.
l2th The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
fttunona!y enacted, until said laws shall be rp-aed' or
fht be declared null and void by competent judicial au-
tho-ty.
18th onposon to the reckless and unwise policy Of the
present administration in the general management Of our
nation affairs and especially shown u removing
A. ;c,ns INV de.ipp,ti1p and in p-inci-
pie FROM Office, placing foreigners and uaists in their
places, shoSu IN trucking Slbscrvency 10 the stronger,
nsoeut aud cowary b~avado towards the weaker
powers shown ia reopenng sectional agitation, by the
repeal u the Souu Comprnu-e shown m granting 70
unnaturazed foreigners right Of suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska shown in its vascilatng course on the Kansas
Nebra-a question; shown ia the co-rupons which
peryde Of the departments Of the Government; as
shown in dsgracng meritorous naval officers through pre-
udce caprice and shown In the bundering misTnan-
agement of foreign atiUns.
l4h. Therefore remedy existing evils and prevent the
disastrous peEces otherwise resulting terefrom We
would build mp the American Party" upon the principles
hereubefore -tatrd.
18th That each State Council shall have authority to
their several constitutions 90 abolish the several
degrees and -ute pledge of honor, instead Of other
obligations lor len w-hp and admission int" the party
10th. free and ope discussion Of all tcal principles
embraced platform