Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-05-01
AMERICAN PLATFORM.


1. An humble acknowledgement to the su.
preme Being for his protecting care vouchsafed
to our fathers, in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested 10 us, their de-
scendants, in the preservation of the liberties the
independence, and the Union of these States.
.. The perpetuation of the Federal Union, as
the palladium of civil and religious liberties,
and the only safe bulwark of American Indepen-
dence.
B. .Americans must rule .America, and to this
end, natiUe-b born citizens should be selected for
State, Federal, and municipal Offices or govern
ment employment, in preference TO all others;
nevertheless,
4. Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the
rights of native-bom citizens but
s. No person should be selected for political
station, (whether of native or foreign birth, ,)who
recognizes any allegiance or obligation of any de-
scrption to any foreign prince, potentate or power
or who refuses to recognize the Federal and State
constitutions, (each within its sphsra,) as para
mount to all other laws, as rules of political ac-
ton.
6. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
nance of the reserved rights of the several States
and the cultivation of harmony and fraterna
good will between the citizens of the several
States, and to this end, non-nterterence by Con-
gress with questions appertaining solely 10 the in
dividual States, and the non-intervention by each
State with the affairs Of any other State.
| I. The recognition Of the right of the native
born and naturalized citizens of the United States
permanently residing in any Territory thereof, TO
frame the constitution and laws, and to regulate
their domestic and social affairs IN their own
mode, subject only TO the provision of the Fed
eral Constitution, with the right of admission into
the Union whenever they have the requisite pop
ulaton for one Representative in Congress. Pro-
rlded allrays, that none but those who are cti-
zens 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 the enactment OF
of laws for said Territory or State.
s. An enforcement of the principle that nc
State or Territory ought to admit others than cit
izens of the United States TO the right of suffrage
or of holding political Office.
.. A change in the laws OF naturall llzation
making continued residence of twenty-on,
years, Of all not herenbefOre provided for, an in
dspensable requisite for citizenship hereafter
and excluding all paupers, and persons convicte,
, of crime, from landing upon our shores; but NJ
, interference with the vested rights of foreigners
10. Opposition to any union between Churcl
and State; no interference with religious faith, o
worship and no test oath for office.
: ii. Free and thorough investigation into an
and all alleged abuses of public functonaries AN,
: strict economy of public expenditures.
12. The maintenance and enforcement Of al
laws constutionally enacted, until said laws sha
be repealed, or shall be declared null and void b,
competent judicial authority.
13. Opposition to the reckless and unwise pei
icy of the present administration in the genera
management of our national affairs, and more es
pecialy as shown in removing ''Americans' (b
designation) and conservative in principle, fror
Office and placing foreigners and ultraists in the
places; as shown in trucking subservence to tn
stronger, and an insolent and cowardly bravad
towards the weaker powers, as shown in reopen
s ing sectional agitation, by the rpeal Of the Nilsson
ri Compromise; as shown in granting Unnatural
lied foreigners the right of suffrage in Kansas an
h Nebraska; as shown in its vasclllating course o
s the Kansas and Nebraska question; as shown
the couuptions which pervade some of the Dc
e partments of the government; shown in'disgrat
ing meritorious naval officers through prejudice
caprice; and as shown in the laundering mismar
agement of our foreign relations.
- ID. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, an
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise II
sulting therefrom, we would build up the ''Amer
can Party'' upon the principles herein. befol
stated.
10. That each State Council shall have autho
ity TO amend their several constitutions SO as
IS abolish the several degrees and institute pedl
3 3 ship and admission into the party.
16. A free and open discussion Of all pclitic
o principles embraced in our platform.