The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-10-18
THE AMERICAN NATIONAL PLATFORM.

1. An humble acknowledgement to the Supreme
Being who rules the Universe for His protecting
care, vouchsafed to our fathers in their successful
revolutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested to
u.s., their descendants, in the preservation of the lib
critics, the Independence and the union of these States
II. Tbs pefpetuation OF the Federal Union US the
palladium of our civil and religious liberties, and the
only sure bulwark Of American independence.
Ill Anerieans must rule America; and to this enc
native born citizens should be selected for all State
Federal and Municipal Offices or Government EN-
plooyment, in preference to naturalized citizens ner
~. Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the rights
Of native born citizens; but
~. No person SHOULD he selected for political sta
tion, whether Of native or foreign birth, J who rccog
nizes any allegiance or obligation of any description
to any foreign prince, potentate or power, or who
refuses to recognize the Federal and State Constitu,
tions leach within its sphere) as paramount to all
other laws as rules of political action.
vi. The unqualified recognition and maintenance
of the reserved rights Of the several States, and the
cultivation OF harmony and ~fraternal good will he
tween the citizens of the several States; and to this
end, non-interference by Congress with questions
appertaining solely to the individual States, and
non-intervention by each State with the affairs Of any
other State. eYG5 HH .H =
VII. The recognition Of the right of the native
born and naturalized citizens Of the United States,
permanently residing in any Territory thereof, to
frame theies Constitution and laws, and to regulate
their domestic 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
whenever they have the requisite population for one
Repepsentatiye In Congress; Provided Arrays, that
none hut those who are citizens of the United States,
under the Constitution and laws thereof, and who
have 2 liked 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.
VIII. An enforcement of the principle that no
State or Territory can admit others than native born
citizens to the right Of suffrage, or of holding politi-
N sNMnA aprvnu ccs,nI NN~nnr,. ,txn1 I,-11 an~ .nA
rallied according to the laws Of the United States.
TX. A change In the laws of naturalization, making
a continued residence of twenty-0ne years, Of all not
heretofore provided for, an indispensable requisite
for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all paupers,
and persons convicted Of crime, from landing upon
our shores; but no interference with the vested
rights Of foreigners.
\. Opposition to any union between Church and
State; no interference with religious faith or worship,
and no test oaths for Office, except those indicated in
the fifth section Of this platform.
XI. Free and thorough investigation into any and
all alleged abuses Of public iunctionaries, and a strict
economy in public expenditures.
MI. The maintenance and enforcement of all laws
until said laws shall be repealed, or shall be declared
null and void by competent judicial authority.
NH. Opposition to the reckless and unwise policy
Of the present Administration in the general manage
ment OF our national affairs, and more especially as
shown in removing " Americans F" (by designation)
md conservatives in principle from office, and placing
foreigners and ~ultraists in their places; as shown in
. trackling subserviency to the stronger, and an in
solent and cowardly brayado towards the weaker
powersi as shown in reopening sectional agitation,
ny the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise; as shown
IN granting to unnaturalized foreigners the right to
suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in its
yaclllating course on the Kansas and Nebrasks ques-
ton; as shown in the removal of Judge Bronson from
the Collectorship Of NewYork upon false and unten.
able grounds; as shown In disgracing meritorious
naval of1cers through prejudice or caprice; and as
eign relations.
NV. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and pre.
vent the disastrous consequences otherwise resulting
Ineretrom, w would build up the American Party
upon the principles hereinbefore stated, eschewing
al sectional questions, and uniting those purely ma.
uonai. and admitting into said party all American
citizens (referred to in the third, fourth and fifth
ssectiGns) who openly ayow the principles and opin
ions heretofore expressed, and who will subscribe
their names to this platform; Provided, nevertheless.
that a. majority of those members present at any
meeting OF a local councii, where an applicant applies
for membership in the American PARTY NAV. for any
such applicant. W
Ky. A free and open discussion Of all p~olitica,
principles embraced in our platform.