Daily American organ., 1856-04-24
WASHINGTON. d. @. THURSDAY AFTERNOON APRIL "a 1856
Platform Of the American Party, adopted
1t tAc section or the National Council,
February zlst, 1856. Il

nt the scssion OF the National COuncil,
February zlst, 1856. III
lst- An humble acknowledgment TO, the Su-
preme Being, for His protecting care vouchsaSed
TO our fathers IN their successful Revolutionary
struggle and hitherto manifested to us, their de-
scendants in the preservation Of the iberties the
Independence, and the union Of these States.
I'd. The perpetuaton Of the Federal Union, as
the palladium Of our civil and religious liberties,
and the only sure hulwsrk Of American Indepen-
dcnco. 49,,
! Sd Americars must rule A,nerica, and to this
end natiucborn citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal, and municipal ofdces orgovernment
employment, In preference, to all others never
theless, sM t-f9 s'N
4th. Persons born Of Am erican parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to al the
rights Of nstive-born citizens but
x 6th. No person should be selected for political
station whether Of native or foreign birth, who
recognises any allegiance or obligation of any de-
scription to any foreign prince, poentate or 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 mainte-
nance Of the reserved rights Of the several States
and the cultivation of harmony and ffaternal good
will between the citizens of the several States and
to this end, non-intensrence by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the individual
the affairs of any other State.
7th. The recognition of the right Of the native
born and naturalzed 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-
stitution, with the privilege Of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula-
ton for one Representative in Congress. Provided
alsooys that none but those who are citizens Of
the United States under the constitution and laws
thereof and who have q fixed residence in any
such Territory, ought to participate in the forma-
tion 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 ough to admit others than cjti-
zens Of the United States to the right Of suffrage,
or Of holding political Office. ~,
9th. "A change in the laws Of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty-one years,
ofall not hereinbeforep provided for indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter and excluding all
paupers, 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 all alleged abuses of public funcionaries, and
a strict economy IN public expenditures.
18TH The maintenance and enforcement Of all
laws consttutionaly 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-
pecially as shown in removing "Americans (by
designation) and conservatives in principle, from
Office, and placing foreigners and uitraists 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-
naturased foreigners the right Of suffrage inyKan-
and Nebraska shown in its vacillatng course
on the Kansas and Nebraska question IS shown
in the corruptions which pervade some Of the de-
partments of the government as shown in dis
gracing meritorious naval officers through prejUv
dice or caprice and as shown in the laundering
mismsnagement 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 hereinbefore stated
: 18th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rity 10 amend their several constitutions so as to
abolish the several degrees, and institute a pledge
Of honor, instead Of other obligations for fellow
ship and admission into the party. s.t 'i.as@
18th. free and open discussion Of all political
principles embraced in our platform.