Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-07-05
Platform Of the American Party,


Adopted at the session Of the National
Council, February 2lsr, 1856. ass
1st. An humble acknowledgment to the
Supreme Being, for His protecting car.
vouchsafed to our fathers in their success
ful Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto
manifested to US, their descendants in lire
preservation of the liberties, the indepen-
dence, and the Union OF these States.
End. The pvrpe,uat,on Of the Federal
Union, as the palladium OF our civil and
religious liberties, and the only sure bull
wafk of American Independence.
Sd. Americans must rule America, and
to this end natire born citizens should be
selected for all State, Federal and municip-
oil Offices or government employ ment, III.
preference to all others, nevertheless,
4th. Persons born OF American parents
residing temporarily abroad, Should be
entitled 10 all the rights Of native borD cit
liens; but
9Th. No person should be selected for
political station, (whether of native or for.
eign birlh,) who recognizes any allegiance
or obligation of any description TO any for
eign prince, po.eniatc or power; or who
refuses to recognize the Federal and State
constitutions (each within its sphere) as
paramount to all other laws, as rules oil po
litical action, s 49,
9Th. The unqualified recognition and
maintenance OF The reserved rights of the
several States, aud the cultivation Of har-
mony aid fIaterral good will between The
citizens Of the several States, and to tais
end, non-inteifrIence by Congress with
questions appeItaining solely 10 the indi-
yidual States, and non-interyention BY
each State with the affairs oil any other
State.
7th. The recognition OF the right Of the
native boln and naturalized citizens Of the
United States permanently residing in any
territory thereof, TO frame their constitu.
ton and laws, and TO regulate their do.
nestle and social affairs III their own mode
subject only to the provisions Of the Fed
eral Constitution. with the privilege o. ad-
mission into the Union, whenever they
have the requisite population for one Rep
resentative iniCongress. Proridea aiways
that none but those who are citizens oil
the United States, under the constitution
aud laws thereof, and who have fxet
residence in any such Territory, ought te
participate in the formation OF the consl'
tuition, or the enactment Of the laws fol
said Territory or State.
9Th. An enforcement Of the pnnciplt
that no State or Territory ought to admit
others than citizens of the United State:
to the right OF suffrage, or Of holding poit
zeal office.
9th. A change in the laws Of naturaii-
cation, making continued residence o
invent, lone years, of all not hereinbefort
provided for, an indispensable requisite to-
citizenship hereafter, and excluding al
paupers. and persons convicted Of crime
from landing upon our shores; but no IN.
reference with the vested rights Of for
eIgners.
10th. Opposition to any union between
Church and Statei no interference with
religious faith, or worship. aud no oath,
for office. 81 as
1lth. Free and thorough investigation
into any and all alleged abuses of public
functionaries, aud strict economy i'll pub
lie expenditures. aN
18th. The maintenance and enforce
ment OF all laws consti:utionallv enacted
until said laws shall be repealed, or shall
be declared null aud void BY competent ju
diciaI authority.
18th. Opposition TO the reckless and un-
wise policy OF the present administration
| in the general management Of our national
affairs, and IN ore especially as shown in
removing "Amerlcans" 10y designa,ion)
and conservatives IN principle, from Office,
aud placing foreigners aid ul.raists il,
their places; as shown in trucking subver
viency to the stronger and an insolent and
cowardly bravado towards the weaker
poweIsi as shown in re opening sectiana
agitation, by the repeal Of tue Missouri
Compromise; as shown in granting to I'M
naturalized foreigners the right Of suffrage
in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in it,
vascillating course on the Kansas ard Ne
braska question; rs shown in the corrup
tlons which prevade some Of the depart,
ments Of the government; as shown in dis.
grazing meiit9rious naval officers through
prejudice or caprice; and as shown 10 til,
blunderlng Encouragement Of our tofeigi
relations.
11th. Therefore. to remedy existing
evils, and prevent the disastrous conse
quences otherwise resulting therefrom, ",
would build up the "AmeIr< Ran party Ypol
the principles hereinbeforc stated.
| 18Th. That each State Council shall
have their several constitutions, SO as II
abolish the several DEGREES, and institut,
pledge OF honor, instead of other obliga
.ioas for fellowship aud administration into
the party.
18th. "A free aud open discussion of al
political principles embraced in our plat
form.