The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-08-30
The AMERICAN NATIONAL PLATFORM.

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Being who rules the Universe for His protecting
care, vouchsnted to our fathers in their successful
revolutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested K
''isi their descendants, in the preservation of the lib
critics, the independence and the union Of these States
II. The perretuation of the Federal Union as tn,
palladium Of Dur civil and religious liberties, and thu
only sure hatwark Of american independence.
I'll. Amsricsns must rule america; and to this emf
natiret born citizens should be selected for all State
Federal and Municipal offices or Government EN-
Payment, In preference to naturaized citizens neu
e~ftseless. h9
~. Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the right.
Of iiAtiye born citizens; but a74s9
" No person should be selected for political sta
tpn, fwhether Of native Or foreign BIRTH who recog
nizes any allegiance Or obligation Of any description
to Any foreign prince. p0tentate or power, or who
refuses 70 recognize the Federal and State Constitu
tioas leach within its sphere) as paramount to all
other laws as rules OF political action. ~ G4a&
vi The unqualified recognition and maintenance
Of the reserved rights of the several States. and the
cultivation 81 harmony and ~fraternal good will he.
tt8lh the citizens OF the several States; and to this
sTp1reaning solely to the individual States, and
ta0shlteTvention byeach State with the affairs Of any
pthckStsSs.
III sTris recognition Of the right of tho native,
horn and naturalized citizens of the United States,
YetManently residing in any Territory thereof, to
ssalne their Constitution and laws, and to regulate
theirdomestic and social affairs, In their own mode,
subject only to the provisions of the Federal Consti.
tuition, with the right Of admission into the Union
" ncnever they have the requisite population for one
representative in Congress-; PROVIDED aiicays, that
ilone but those who are citizens of the United States,
under tile Constitution and laws thereof, and who
haze q fixed residence in any such Territory, ought
TO participate in the formation OF the Constitution, or
iia the enactment Of laws for said Territory or State.
VIII. An enforcement of the principle that no
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citizens to- the right of suffrage, or of holding politi.
cal Office. unless such persons shnll have been natu-
rallied according to the laws of the United States.
TX. A change in the laws Of naturalization making
y continued residence Of twenty-one years, of all not
heretofore provided for, an Indispensable requisite
for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all panpers,
end persons convicted Of crime, from landing upon
onr shores; but NO interference with the vested
rights Of foreigners. ee f...
X, Opposition to any nnion between Church and
State; no interference with religious faith or worship,
and no test oaths for Office, except those indicated in
Tie nth section Of this platform. ~
81. Free and thorough investigation into any and
nd alleged abuses of public tunctionaries, and q strict
ec0nclny in public expenditures. .-
XII. The maintenance and enforcement of all laws
uhtilsaid laws shall be repealed, or shall be declared
nall and void by competent judicial authority.
XII. Opposition to the reckless and unwise policy
g fthe present Administration i'll the general manage.
VI t1Alt Nv UldltS llu luplC GSVCClhny us
s1awn In removing g Americans " (by designation)
la.a conservatives in principle from office, and placing
sorsdEners and ~ultraists in their places; as shown i'll
. ~tFnesling subserviency to the stronger, and ar in
scent and cowardly brnvado towards the weaker
~i,esers: as aalown in rcopening sectional agitation,
Is sae repeal Of the Missouri Compromise; AZ shown
In granting to annaturalized foreigners the right to
faftrnge In Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in its
Tacillating course on the Kansas and Nebrsks ques,
zion; as shown in tho removal of Judge Bronson iro,n
the Ccllectorshiplof NewYork upon false md unten-
able grounds; AZ shown in disgracing meritorious
naval officers through prejudice or caprice; and as
shown In the laundering mismanagement of our for
'eign relations. N}
NV. Therefore to remedy existing evils. and pre-
vent the disastrous consequences otherwise resulting
-therefpm. we would build up the American Party
upon tho principles hereiabcfore stated. cschewing
AZ sectional questions, and uniting those purely ma
tional. and admitting into said party all American
citizens (rcfcrred to in the third, fourth and fifth
~sectlous} who openly avow the principles and opin.
IONS heretofore expressed, md who will subscribe
their names to this platform; Provided, nevertheless,
saas . majority Of those members present at any
meeting OF n local council, where m applicant applies
for membership in the American Party, may, for any
reason by them deemed sufficient, deny admission to
such applicant.
XIV. A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced IN our platform.