Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-06-07
WASHINGTON. D. c. SATURDAY AFTERNOON JUNE Z 1856
Platform Of the Americsn Party. adopted
at she session OF the NATIONAL Council,
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Platform OF the American Party. adopted
at she session or the National Council,
February 2lst, 1856.
lst. An humble acknowledgment to the Su-
preme Being, for His protecting care vouchsafed
to our fathers In their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to us, their de-
scendants, in the preservation Of the liberties the
independence, and the union Of these States. II
I'd. The perpetuation OF the Federal Union, as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties
and the only sure bulwark Of American Indepen-
dence.
Sd. Ansericars must rude America, and to this
end nativeborn citizens should be selectad for all
State, Federal, and municipal Offices orgQlsknment
employment, in preference to all othefE: never
theless, A4 @
4th. Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the
rights Of nativeborn citizens; but 0
5th. No person should be selected for political
station, (whether Of native or foreign birth who
recognises any allegiance or obligation Of any de-
scrption to any foreign prince, potentate or power,
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions teach within its sphere) as paramount
to all other laws, as rules of political action I,
9Th. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
nance Of the reserved rights Of the several States
and the cultivation of harmony and fraternal good
will, between the citizens Of the several States and
to; this end, non-interference by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the individual
States, and n0n-intervention by each State with
the affairs of any other State.
7th. The recognition of the right Of the native
born and naturaized 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-
sttution, with the privilege of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula-
ton for one Representative in Congress. Provided
Gtscdys, that none but those who are citizens of
the United States under the constitution and laws
thereof and who have 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 ought to admit others than cit-
zens of the United States to the right of suffrage
or OF holding political Office. z.'
9th. A change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty-on years,
ofall not for an 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. r5
1lth. Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionaries, and
strict economy in public expenditures
18th. The maintenance and enforcement of all
laws consttutionally enacted, until said laws shall
be repealed or shall be declared null and void by
competent judicial authority ~ sgs. .
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwise
policy of the present administration in the general
management of our national affairs, and more es-
peciully as shown in removing ssAmericans y (by
desgnation) and conservatives in principle, from
Office and placing foreigners and ultraists in their
places; as shown in trucking subserviency to
the stronger, and an inselent 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-
naturalized foreigners the right Of suffrage insKan-
sas and Nebraska as shown in its vacilating course
on the Kansas and Nebraska question as shown
in the corruptions which pervade some Of the de-
partments of the government; as shown in dis
gracing mcritorious naval officers through preju-
dice or caprice; and as shown in the blundering
Of our foreign relations.
l4th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
suting therefrom, we would build up the "Ameri-
can party" upon the principles hereinbefore stated
18th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rty to amend their several constitutions SO as to
abolish the several degrees, and institute piadge
OF honor, instead of othar obligations Tor fellow
ship and adnissiun INTO the party. as t
10Th. A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform.
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