The true Democrat., 1856-06-10
Platform of the American Party,
 Adopted at the Session of the National

Adopted at the Session of the National
 Council, February 21st, 1856. lst An humble acknowledgement to the Supreme Being for His protecting care vouch- safed to our fathers in their successful revolu- tionsry struggle, and hitherto manifested to us, their descendants, in the preservation of their liberties, the independence and the union of these States.
 2d. The perpetuation of the Federal Union, as the palladium of our civil and religious li- berties, and the only sure bulwark of American independence.
 3d. Americans must rule America, and to this end ndtave born citizens should be selected for all state, federal, and municipal offices or go- vernment employment, in preference to all others, nevertheless
 4th. Persons born of American parents re- siding temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the rights of native born citizens; but 1 5th No person should be selected for politi- cal station, (whether of native or foreign birth, who recognizes any allegiance or obligation of any description to any foreign prince, potentate or power, or who refuses to recognize the fede- ral and state constitutions (each within it's sphere) as paramount to all other laws as rules of political action.
 9th. The unqualified recognition and main. tenance of the reserved rights of the several States and the cultivation of harmony and fra ternal 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 non-intervention by each State with the affairs of any other State.
 Eth. The recognition of the right of the na- tive born and naturaiized citizens of the Unit O thereof, to frame their constitution and laws, and to regulate their domestic and social affairs in their own mode, subject only to the provi- sions of the federal constitution, with the pri- vilege of admission into the Union whenever they have the requisite population for one re- presentatlve in Congress. Prowded, ol,uaus, 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 for nation of the constitution, or in the enactment of laws for said territory or State.
 Sth. An enforcement of the principle that no State or territory ought to admit others than citizens of the United States to the right of suffrage, or of holding political office
 9th. change in the laws of naturalization, making a continued residence of twenty one years of all not hereinbefore provided for, an indispensable requisite for citizenship hereafter and excluding all paupers and persons convict ed of crime, from landing upon our shores; but no interference with the vested rights of for eigners.
 10th. Opposition to any union between church and state; no interference with re- gious faith or worship, and no test oaths for office
 1lth Free and thorough investigation iuto any and all alleged abuses of public functona- res, and a strict economy in public expendi- lures.
 12th The maintenance and enforcement of all laws constitutionally enacted, until said laws shall be repealed or shall be declared null and void by competent judicial authority
 l3th Opposition to the reck less and unwise policy of the present administration in the ge- neral management of our national affairs and more especially as shown in removing "Ame- rcans" (by designaton) and conservatives in principle from office, and placing foreigners and ultraists in their places as shown in truck Ing subserviency to the stronger, and insoent and cowardly bravado towards the weaker powers; as shown in roopening sectional agta- ton, by the repeal of the Missouri compro- mise; as shown in granting to uGnaturalized fo- relgners the right of suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown Ill It's vacllating course on the Kansas and Nebraska question; as shown in the corruptions which pervade some of the departments of the government; as shown in dlsgracng meritorious naval officers through prejudice or caprice; and as shown ill the blun- derng msmanagement of our foreign rea- tlonS.
 l4th Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and prevent the disastrous consequences other wise resulting therefrom, we would build up the " American party' upon the principles hereinbeforc stated
 10th. That each state council shall have au- thority to amend their several constitutions. so as to abolish the several degrees and institute a pledge of honor, and instead of other obliga- tions for fellowship and admission into the party
 10th. free and open discussion of all pol- teal principles embraced in our platform