The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-05-24
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THE AMERICAN NATIONAL PLATFORM.

LIrts .L4A- H.lfEaa IHlf ". W-fIlNI .-nI.|' .IN"
n. An humble acknowledgement to the Supreme
Being who rules the Universe for His protecting
care, v0uchsafed to our fathers in their successful
revolutionary struggle, md hitherto manifested to
MS, their descendants, In the preservation OF the lib
critics, the independence and the union of these States.
H.. The perpetuation Of the Federal Union as the
palladium ofour civil and religious liberties, and the
only sure bulwark Of American Independence.
ssdIlL;r Anssricans must rule america; and TO this end
native horn citizens should he selected for oil State,
Federal and Municipal offices or Gaycrnnent en-
ployment, in preference to G;taralizel citizens nee
erfhciess.a ~ DAH 't@ 20 80
Nv. Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the rights
Of native born citizens; hut !, - suty
y v. No person should be selected for political sta
ton, (wllether of native or foreign birthD who recog-
nizes any allegiance or obligation Of any description
to any foreign prince, potentate or power, or who
refuses to recognize the Federal and State Constiti.
tions leach within Its sphere) as paramount to all
other laws as rules Of political action.
tiYL. The unaualiied recognition and maintenance
of the reserved rights of the several States, and the
cultivation of harmony and ~fraternal good will DO
tween the citizens of the several States; and to this
appertaining solely to the individual States, and
non-intervention'by each State with the affairs Of any
other State. r. 3fa ass 40 ST
VII. The recognition of the right Of the native
born and natnralized citizens of the United States,
permanently residing in any Territory thereof, to
frame their Constitution and laws, and to regulate
their domestic and social afiils, in their own mode
subject only to the provisions of the Federal Consti-
tuition, with the right Of admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite population for one
Representative in Congress; Provided aito1ys, that
none but those who are citizens Of the United States,
under the Constitution and laws thereof, and who
have a fixed residence in my such Territory, ought
to participate in the formation Of the Constitution, or
in the enactment Of laws for said Territory or State,
NIII.sA enforcement of the principle that no
State or Territory can admit others than native born
citizens to the right Of suffrage, or Of holding politi-
cal Office. unless such persons shall have been natu-
rallied according to the laws of the United States.
TX. A changed the laws of naturalization, making
a continued residence Of twenty-one years, Of all not
heretofore provided for, an Indispensable requisite
for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all raupers,
and persons convicted of crime, from landing upon
our shores but no interference with the vested
rights of foreigners. -
\. Opposition to any union between Church and
State; no interference with religious faith or worship
and no test oaths for Office, except those indicated in
the fifth section Of this platform.
ri. Free and thorough investigation into any aud
all alleged abuses Of public tunctionaries, and u strict
economy in public expenditures.
XII. The maintenance and enforcement of all laws
until said laws shall be repealed, or shall be declared
null and void by competent judicial authority.
XIII. Opposition to the reckless and unwise policy
of the present Administration in the general manage
ment OF our national affairs and more especially as
shown in removing q Americans (" (by designation
q anu CONSERVATIVES III prlnciple from once, ana placing
foreigners and ~ultraists ntheir places; as shown III
u trucking subseryiency to the stronger, and an in.
solent and cowardly brayado towards the weaker
powers; rs shown in reopening sectional agitation
by the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise; as shown
in granting to unnatalalized foreigners the right to
suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in its
vacillating course on the Kansas aud Nebrasks ques.
ton; as shown inSthe removal Of Judge Bronson IRON
the Collectorship Of NewYork upon false and unten.
able grounds; as shown in disgracing meritorious
naval officers through prejudice or caprice; and rs
shown insthe blundering mismanagement Of our for.
eigi 4 Dns.
XIV. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and pre-.
vent the disastrous consequences otherwise resulting
therefrom, we would build up the American Party
upon the principles hereinbefore stated, eschewing
all sectional questions, and uniting those purely ma,
tional, and admitting into said party all American
citizens preferred to in the third, fourth and fifth
s~ections) who openly ayow the principles and opin.
ions heretofore expressed, and who will subscribe
their names to this platform; Provided, nevertheless,
that n majority of those members present at any
meeting of q local council, where an applicant APPLIES
for membership in the American Party, may, for any
reason by them deemed sufficient, deny admission to
such applicant.
XIV. A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform. 49,"