The Empire County argus., 1856-04-12
National American pIutform.
(Adopted at PHILADELPHIA, February 22d, 1856

(Adopted at Phdddelphia, february 22d, 1860
First. humble acknowledgment to the Supreme
Being who rules the universe for his protecting care
vouchsafed to fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle and hitherto manifested u.s. their descendants
in the preservation of the liberties the Independence and
the union of these States.
Second-The perpetuaton of the Federal Union as the
palladium of our civil and religious liberties, and the only
sure bulwark of American independence.
Third-Americans must rule America, and to this end
native born citizens should be selected for all State Fede
raj and municipal offices of government employment in
preference to naturalized citizens, negertheless;
Fourth.-Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the rights of
native-bon citizens; but
FifthTNo persons should be elected for political station
Whether native or OF foreign birb who recognizes auy
arrogance OF oogaon of any description to any foreign
prince Poentae or Power who refuses recognize
the Federal and State Constitutions each within its
sphere as paramount to all other laws as rules of pol
cal action. P
Sixh.-The unqualified recognition and maintenance of
the reserved rights of the several States and the cutva
ton of harmony and fraterna goodwill between the ct
of the several States and to this end noninerference
by Congress with questions apperainng solely to the ndi
vdua States and nonnteryenton by each State with the
affairs of any other State
SeventhThe recognition of the right of the native born
and naturazed citizens of the United States permanently
residing in any Territory thereof to frame their Constitu
ton and Laws, and to regulate their domestic and social
affairs in their modes, subject only to the provisions
of the Federal Constitution, with the right of admission
into the Union whenever they have the requisite popua
on for Representative in Congress Provided always
that 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 Constitution or in the enactment
of laws for said Territory or State.
Eghth.-An enforcement of the principle that State
Territory admit others than natveborn citizens to
the right of suffrage of holding political office; unless
such shall have been naurazed according to the
laws OF the United States.
Ninth.-A change in the laws of naturalization making
continued residence of twenyone years. OF all not here
oore provided for indispensable requisite for citizen
ship hereafter, and excluding all paupers and persons
convicted of crime, from landing upon shores but
interference with the vested rights of foreigners.
Tnnf II 1Ian fo hnt, onI
Sate no interference with religious faith worship and
no test oahs for office except those indicated in the 5th
section of this platform tt
Eevenh.-Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionares and strict
economy in public publ expenditures.
Tweltth-The maintenance and enforcement of all laws
until said laws sha be repealed shall be declared null
and void by competent judicial authority
Opposition to the reckless and unwise pol
icy of the present Administration in the general manage
men of national affairs and especially shown
in removing "Americans by designation) and conserva
tves in principle from office, and placing foreigners and
uraiss in their places as shown in trucking subser
vency to the stronger and nsolent and cowardly
ing sectional agitation by the repeal of the Missouri Com
promises shown in granting to unnaturaized foreign
the right suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska shown
in its vasclating the Kansas and Nebraska
questions shown in the removal of Judge Bronson from
the Coectorshp of New York upon false and untenable
grounds as shown in the couptons which pervade
of the Departments of the Government shown in dis
gracpg meritorous naval officers through prejudice
caprice; and shown in the bunderng mismanagement
| OF our 10relgn relations.
Fourteenth. therefore, to remedy existing evils and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise resulting
therefrom would build up the American party upon
the principles herenbeore stated eschewing all sectional
questions, and uniting upon those purely national and
admitting into said party all American citizens referred
to in the 3D. 4th and 9TH sectons who openly the
principles and opinions heretofore expressed and who will
subscribe their names to this platform. Provided
theless, that majority of those members present at any
meeting of local council where applicant applies for
membership in the American party may, for any
by the deemed sufficient deny admission 10 such applicant
FifteenthA free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in platform.