Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-16
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council,
Fehrusrv d 1856

irt An humble acknowledgement 10 the Supreme Being Tor
his protecting voucsaed fathers in their success
full Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested to u.s.
their descendants preservation Of the liberties the
independence, and the union Of these States
3D. The perpetnaton the Federal Union, the Pals
dum Of civil and religious liberties and the only sure
bulwark Of American Independence.
81 AnaeicaRs NUT rue A5nerie0, and to this end, ma
tcborn citizens should be all State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment, in preference
70 all others nevertheless,
4th Persons American parents residing Temporal
ry abroad should entitled all the rights Of nativeborn
citizens; but,
9th No person should be selected for political station
whether Of native foreign bh) who recognises ale
glance or obligation Of any description any foreign prince
poteniae power who refuses to recognise the Federal
ami Constitutions leach within its sphere paramount
TO all other laws. "a rules Of political action
9Th TIE unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights Of the several States and the cultivation Of
harmony and aernal good will between the citizens OF the
several States and this end non-nererence by Congress
questions appertaning solely the individual States
nonnteryenon by each State with the affairs q any
other State
eth The recognition Of right OF the navebon and
naturaized citizens Of the United permanently red
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 with the privilege OF admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite population for one Repre-
sentative in Congress Prorided aI'ody that but
thoe who are ctzcns Of United States under the
sHuton thereof and who have fxed residence in
any Territory ought participate in the formation Of
the uon or in the Of laws for said Terri
tory state.
Sth An enlargement he principle that State Ter
rory ought 10 admit others than citizens Of the United
States tie right of suffrage of holding political Office
9Th change IN o. laws II naturalization, making
nued o tentynne years Of all not hcrenbeiore
provided for indispensable requisite for citizenship here
after and excluding panpers and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores but no interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
10th Opposition any union between Church and State
interference with religious faith worship, and no test
Oaths for office.
1fh. free and thorough investigation into and al al
ledged aliases q public functonare and stret economy
in public expenditures.
18Th. The maintenance and enforcement Of all Laws con
stitltonaly enacted until said laws shall be repealed, or
shall be declared null and void by competent Judicial au-
thority.
18, Opposition TO the reckless and unvise policy Of the
present ADMINISTRATION in the general management Of our
naionh affairs and especially as shown in removing
Americans" (by desgnaon and conservatives in princ
Pile or and placing foreigners and utraists in their
places shown in trncng subserviency to the stronger
aud aoeut and cowardy brayado towards the weaker
powers as shown in reopenIng sectional agitation by the
repeal Of the Missouri Compromise shown IN granting 10
unnaturazd foreigners the right of suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska as its vascatng the Kansas
and Nebra question; shown in the cOrruptons which
pervade of departments ~ the Government
dsgracng mertorous naval officers through pre-
juce caprice; and IN in the bunderng msman-
agenent of our foreign re ations.
l4th Therefore remedy existing evils, and prevent the
disastrous otherwise resulting erefrom
would build the American Party" upon the principles
hereinbefore stated.
18th That each State Council shall have authority to
amend their several constitutions 20 abolish the several
degrees and institute pledge Of honor, instead Of other
Obligations for fell Wip and admission into the party
10th. free and open discussion Of all tcal principles
embraced 10 platform.