Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-11
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at The sassiou Of the Tationsl Council.
Tebrusry 81, 1856

st An humble acknowledgement TO the Supreme Being, for
his protecting care vouchaed fathers in their success
ful Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to u.s.
their ecenan in the preservation Of the liberties the
independence and the union Of these states
2d the perpetuation Of the Federal Union the psa-
diun Of civil and religious liberties, and the only sure
bulwark Of American Independence.
81 Aseric0rS must r> ADperic0 and 20 this end ma
rebo citizens should be for all State Federal and
muuicip, Offices government employment in preference
to all others nevertheless,
zth Persons born n American parents residing tempors
ry abroad should entitled all the rights OF natVebO
citizens; bqt,
5h No person should be selected for political station
(whehe Of native foreign bh who recognises ale
glance obligation Of any description any foreign prince
pOeate power who refuses to recognise the Federal
am State Constitutions leach within its phere paramount
70 all other laws, rules Of political action.
9Th unqualified recognition and maintenance OF the
reserved rights Of the States and the cultivation 6
good will between the citizens Of the
States and this end nonnteerence by Congress
questions apertanug solely to the individual States
and Intervention by each State with the affairs q any
ether state.
9Th The recognition Of the right Of the natveborn and
naurazed citizens Of United States permanently resd
ing in any Territory thereof fame their constitution and
laws md to regulate their domestic and social affairs in their
swr mode subject only the proviions Of the Federal
Constitution the pryiicge of admission into the Union
whenever they the requisite population for Repre-
sentative 10 Congress Porded OlIrdys that bat
tho who Of tho United States under the
situton and thereof and who have hKed residence in
any such Territory ought participate the formation Of
the constitution or the Of laws for said Terri
tory state.
sh An enforcement of he principle that State Ter
rtory ought admit others than citizens Of the United
States right CT suffrage Of holding political once
9th change in laws II naturalization, making
tnued wenyone years of all not herenbeore
provided f ndspns ble requisite for citizenship here
after and excluding all panpers and convicted
crime, from landing upon shores but interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
10th Opposition to any union between Church and State;
interference with religious faith worship, and test
oaths for Office
1lh rec and thorough investigation into any and all al
Iedged abuses Of public funconaes and str ct economy
in pIb! expenditures.
l2h The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws con-
stituonaly enacted until said laws shall be r-p-aled, or
be declared null and void By competent judicial
thOrity.
18th Opposition reckless and unwse policy Of the
present administration in the general management oi our
nation affairs AMI more especially A. shown IN removing
An cans" by design ltion and conservatives IN princ
pie from oce aud placing foreigners and ut-asts IN their
places truckng SubSeryiency 20 the stronger
and n-oent and t~dy bavado towards the weaker
pover; shown in reopenng sectional agitation, by the
repeal " the ssani Compromise; shown in granting 20
unuauazed the right 81 suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska; Sho~n in it, vascang the Kansas
AMI N-ra<ka qr-son shown ia the corruptions which
perv ie Of the drpt-tnents of the Government
shown dsgacng merOrious naval officers through
ulce caprice; and as III 'Wn in the bunering misman
sgement " our foreign re ations
l4h Therefore remedy existing evils. and prevent the
disastrous otherwise resulting therefrom We
would build up the American Party" upon the principles
hereub fore tatrd.
18th That each state Council shall have authority 10
amend te- several constitutions TO abolish the several
degress and institute pledge Of honor, instead Of other
obligations for fel wship and admission into the party
10th fee and ope discussion Of all litica principles
embraced platform.