Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-10-06
Platform of the American Party, adopted
at The session or the National Council,
February 3lsf. 1856. 4sas. eaa.l

at The session OF the National Council,
February 2Ist, 1856. ~ oa y
lst An humble acknowledgement to the Su-
preme Being, for His protecting care vouchsafed
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 perpetuation of the Federal Union, as
the palladium Of our civil and religious liberties
and the only sure bulwark Of American Indepen-
dence.
Sd. Americans mast rule america, and to this
end ndtive-born citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal and municipal offices orgovernment
employment, in preference to all others: never
theless, sa5
4th. Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should Sbs entitled 10 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 de-
scripton to any foreign prince potentate or power,
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions leach within its sphere) paramount
to all other laws as rules of political action.
9th. The unqualified recognition and fnainte-
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, non-interference by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the individual
states, anu uOn-lnterFSnuOn Dy cacn STATE WlL0
the affairs of any other State.
7th- The recognition of the right of the native
born and naturaized 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-
stitution, with the privilege Of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula-
ton for one Representative in Congress. PROVIDED
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the United States. under the constitution and laws
thereof and who have fxed residence In any
such Territory, ought to participate in the forma-
ton OF the constitution, or in the enactment Of
laws for said Territory or State.
9Th. An enforcement OF the principle that no
State or Territory ough to admit Others than citi
zens o. the United States to the right of suffrage,
or of holding political Office.
9th. change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty -one0years
ofa not herenbefore provided for, an indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all
paupers, 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.
llth. Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionarieR, and
a strict economy in public 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 unwise
policy of the present administration in the general
management of our national affairs, and more es-
peoially as shown in removing Americans (by
designation) and conservatives in principle, from
office, and placing foreigners and utraists in their
places as shown in trucking subserviency 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
and Nebraska as shown in its vacillatng 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 preiu-
dice or caprice and as shown in the blundering
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-
car party upon the principles herenbefore 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 admission into the party.
l6th A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform.