Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-30
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council,
February 21, 1856

Ia, An humble acknowledgement the Supreme Being, for
his protecting care vouehsafed fathers in their success
q, Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to u.s.
their descendants IN the preservation Of the hOere the
independence and the union Of these States
ID The perpetuaton Of the Federal Union, as the paa-
dium Of cis and religious liberties and 'he only sure
bulwark Of American Independence
od Americans must r1s Araeic1 and to this end nd-
,hor tlzens should be selected Tor all STATE Federal and
municipal Offices employment In preference
70 all others nevertheless,
4th Persons born OF American parents residing 'eupora
y abroad should be entitled all the rights Of natveborn
citizens; but,
5th No person should be selected for political station,
eher Of native or foreign brth who recognises ale
glance or obligation o any description to any foreign prince
peuate or power who refuses to recognise the Federal
ami State Constitutions leach within its sphere paramount
to all other laws as rules Of political action.
9Th The unqualified recognition and maintenance oi the
reserved tights Of the several States and the e'vuto a
harmony Snd fra er good WI between The citizens Of the
several states and to @ end interference by Congress
with questions apperaning solely to the individual States
and nonnterventon by each State with the Affairs any
other State.
It'll The recognition the right OF the native-bon and
naturazed citizens United States permanently resd-
ine IN anv Territory thereof to 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 the requisite population for one Repre-
sentative in Congress- ProUided dl'raVs that none but
those who are citizens Of the United sates under the con-
sttuon thereof and who have aaxed residence in
any Territory, ought to participate in the formation o
the constitution in the enactment Of TVS for said Terri
tory state.
sth An enforcement Of the principle that no state or Ter
rtory ought admit others than citizens Of the United
States 10 the right Of suffrage OF holding political ONCE
9th change IN TIE laws Of naturalization, making n
tnued residence Of wenyone years Of all not
provided for nlpeus bic requisite Tor citizenship here
aner and excluding al paupers 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;
no interference with religious sth worship, and no test
oaths for Office.
llt free and thorough investigation into and ab al
ledged public fuuconaries and strict economy
In public expenditures.
rot The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
sttltionav enacted until said laws shall he rrpned, or
shall declared null and void by competent judicial au
thority.
1sb onpostion 10 the reckless and unwise policy Of the
present administration in the general management Of our
nadonh affairs, ami more especially as shown IN renoying
Americans" y degnatonl and conservatives IN prlnci-
pIe from office and placing foreigners and uraists p their
places; ia trucking uhserviency to the nger
aud an and cowardy bsvado towards the weaker
powers; a. shown IN reopenng ecuohal aEl'oh W te
repeal Of Missouri Compromise, shown IN granting TO
unnaazed the right of suffrage ia Kans as and
Nebraska; It's vascatng course on the Kansas
question: shown In the corrupons which
pervade Of the departments OF the as
dsgacng meritorous naval officers through pre-
udce or caprice and shown in the bunderng mlsman-
Agenent Of our foreign re:atous.
llh Therefore to remedy existing evils and prevent the
disastrous consequences otherwise resulting thererom We
would build up the American Party" upon the principles
hereinbefore stated.
18Th That each state Council shall have authority to
amend constitutions 20 abolish the several
degre- and institute pledge Of honor instead Of other
obligations fellowship and admission into the party
18th free and open discussion Of all political principles
embraced ia platform.