Washington telegraph., 1856-05-28
pLArF0RM OF PRINCIPLES

OF THE
AMERIC N PA RI y;
Adonted at the Session of the hat1onai
Council, Feb. 21st, 1856.
1a An humble acknowledgment to the
Sunreme Being, for His protecting care
.o,,.h..fsd to our fathers in their successful
Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto mani
f.s,ed to us. their descendants, In the pre-
servatiou of the liberties, the independence,
and the Union of these States :,
. 2i The perpetuation of the feoerai
Union, as the palladium of our civil and
relieious liberties, and the only sure bull
wark of American Independence.
I'd AMERICANS MUST RULE AMERICA,
and tn this end, ,satiue- born citizens should
be selected for all State, Federal, and mu-
n;c;nal Offices, or Government employment,
in preference to all others: nevertheless,
9th. Persons born of American parents
residing temporarily abroad, should be enti-
tied to all the benefits of native-born citi-
zens but
5th, No person should be selected for po-
1itical station, whether of native or foreign
birth) who recognizes any allegiance or OBJ
legation of any description to any foreign
prince. potentate. or power, or who refuses
to recognize the Federal and State Consti-
tutions leach within its sphere) as para
mount to all other laws, as rules of political
action.
9Th. The unqualified recognition and
maintenance of the reserved rights of the
several States, and the cultivation of harmo-
nv and fraternal good will, between the cit
izens of the several States, and to this end.
non-interference by Congress with questions
appertainirg solely to the individual States.
and non-interventlon by each State with the
affairs of any other State.
7th. The recognition of the right of the
native. born and naturalized citizens of the
United States, permanently residing in any
Territory thereof. to frame their constitu-
ton and laws, and to regulate their domes-
tic and social affairs in their own mode, SUBJ
iect only to the provisions of the Federal
Constitution, with the privilege of admission
into the Union when they have the requi-
site population for one Representative in
Congress. Provided al0ays. 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 formation 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 ought to admit others
than citizens of the United States to the
right of suffrage. or of holding political Of
fee.
9th. A change in the laws of naturaliza-
tion, making continued residence of twen-
ty-one years, of all not hereinbefore provi-
ded for, an indispensable requisite for citi-
zenship hereafter, and excluding all pau
pers. and persons convicted of crime, from
landing upon our shores; but no interfer-
ence with the vested rights of foreigners
10TH Opposition to any union between
Church and State no interference with re-
Ggious faith or worship, and no tests
for office, except those indicated in the 9Th
section of this platform.
1lth. Free and thorough investigation
into any and all alleged abuse of public
functionaries, and a strict economy in pub
lie expenditures.
18th. The maintenance and enforcement
of all laws constitutionally enacted, until
said laws shall be repealed, or shall be &C.
clared null and void by competent judicial
authority.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and un-
wise policy of the present administration in
the general management of our national af-
fairs, and more especially as shown in re-
moving Americans (by designation) and
conservatives in principle. from Office, and
placing foreigners and ultraists in their pla-
ces as shown in trucking subserviency
to the stronger, and an insolent and coward
ly bravado towards the weaker powers; as
shown In re-opening sectional agitation, by
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; as
shown in granting to unnaturalized foreign
ers the right of suffrage in Kansas and Ne
braska; as shown in its vacillating course
on the Kansas and Nebraska question; as
shown in the corruptions which pervade
some of the departments of the government;
as shown in disgracing meritorious naval
officers through prejudice or caprice and
as shown in the blundering mismanagement
of our foreign relations.
14th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils
and prevent the disastrous consequences
otherwise resulting therefrom, we would
build up the American party" upon the
principles hereinbefore stated.
18th. That each State Council shall have
authority to amend their several constitu
tions, SO as to abolish the several degrees
and institute pledge of honor, instead o
other obligations for fellowship and admis
sion into the party.
10th. A free and open discussion of al
political principles embraced in our plat
form.