Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-05-14

Platform of the American Party, adopted
at the session of the National Council,
February llst. 1854.

at the ession OF the National Council,
February 2ist, 1855.
lst An humble acknowledgment to the Su-
preme Being for His protecting care vouchsafed
70 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 Stares
I'd. The perpetuaton of the Federal Union, as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties,
and the only sure bulwark of American Indepen-
dence.
Sd. Americans must rule Anlerica, and to this
end fativeborn citizens should be selected fer all
State, Federal, and municipal offices orgovernment
employment in preference to all others: never
theless,
4th' Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to al the
rights If natiye-born citizens but
5th No person should be selected for political
station, whether of native or foreign brlh,) who
recognises any allegiance or obligation of any de-
scrpton TO any foreign prince, potentate power,
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions leach within its sphere) as paramount
to all other laws, as rules Of political action
9th. The unqualified recognition and niainte-
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, and non-intervention by each State with
the affairs of any other State.
7th. The recognition of the right of the native
born and naturazed 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-
stituton, with the privilege of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula
ton for one Representative in Congress. Provided
dtaodps, that none but those who are 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 forma-
ton OF the constitution, or in the enactment of
laws for said Territory or State.
8th. An enforcement of the principle that no
State or Territory ough to ad nit others than citi
zens Of 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-one years,
ofal not herenbeiore provided for, an indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all
paupets, 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 al alleged abuses of public functonaries and
a strict economy in public expenditures.
18th. The maintenance and enforcement of all
laws constitudonally 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-
peciahy 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 insolent 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-
naturalzed foreigners the right of suffrage in Kan
sas and Nebraska shown in its vacillating course
on the Kansas aud Nebraska question; as shown
in the corruptions which pervade some of the de-
partlnents Of the'government; as shown in dis
gracing meritorious naval officers through preju-
dice or caprice and shown in the blundering
mismanagement of our foreign relations.
l4th Therefore, to remedy existing evils and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
sulting therefrom, we would build up the 'Ameri-
can party" upon the principles herenbefore stated
10th That each State Council shall Rave autho-
rity % amend their several constitutions so as to
abolish the several degrees and institute pledge
of honor instead Of other oblig gations for fellow
ship and adTi sion into the party
10Th. A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in platform. 3a.rt