Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-03
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council
February 81 1855

ls An humble acknowledgement to the Supreme Being for
his protecting vouchsad fathers in their
fu Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested
their deScendants in the preservation Of the liberties the
independence and the union Of these States.
3D. The perpeuaon Of the Federal Union, the paa-
dium Of civil and religious liberties and the only
bulwark Of American Independence.
Sd Americans D,i rule Agneyicd, and this end
Rreborn citizens should for State Federal
municipal Offices government employment in preference
70 all others nevertheless,
Alb Persons born Of American parents residing Temporal
ry abroad should be entitled all the rights Of natvebOrn
cifssns; but,
9Th No person should be selected for political station
(vhether OF native foreign bh) who recognises any ale
glance obligation Of any description any foreign prince
Potentae power who refuses to recognise the Federal
AMI State Constitutions leach within its phere paramount
to all other laws, As rules Of political action.
9th The unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights Of the States the cultivation
harmony and fraernal good win between the citizens OF the
several States and this end non-inerence by Congress
with questions appertaning solely the individual States
and Bon-nteryenon by each State with the affairs Of any
other State.
9Th The recognition Of the right the natveborn and
haturazed citizens Of the United States permanently red
ing any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws and regulate their domestic and social affairs in their
mode, subject only to the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution with the privilege Of admission into the Onion
whenever they have the requisite population for Repre-
sentative in Congress. Prorided 0J,odys that but
those who citizens Of the United States under the
Stuion and thereof and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory ought participate in the formation Of
the constitution in the enactment Of laws for said Terri
tory or State.
sh An enforcement Of the principle that State Ter
ritory ought 10 admit others citizens the United
States the right Of suffrage Of holding political Office
9th change in the laws of naturalization, making
nued residence Of wenyone years Of all not herenbefore
srovided for indispensable requisite for citizenship here
ser and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
p, from landing upon shores; but no interference
vfh the vested rights Of foreigners.
10th Opposition any union between Church and State
s"1nterence with religious faith worship, and test
,rths for office.
11th Free and thorough investigation into any all
'dgd abuses Of public iunctOnares and strct economy
"f lublC expenditures.
r2rl The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
itntonaly enacted, until said laws shall be repealed,
@ll be declared null and void by competent judicial au
-1oriiv
1S6 Opposition to the reckless and unvse policy Of the
resent administration in the general management of
ttion Al affairs and especially shown in removing
Americans (5v designation and conservative IN princ
h from Office, and placing foreigners and utrasts in their
ce shown in trucking subserviency 10 the stronger
d nsolent and oowardlHbravado towards the weaker
overs shown in reopening sectional agitation, by the
epea Of the Missouri Compromise; shown in granting to
1nnaturazed foreigners the right Of suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska as shown in its vasciatng course on the Kansas
and Nebraska question. shown the corrupons which
peTvade Of the departments 81 the Government
shown in dsgracng mertoous naval officers through pre-
Juce caprice and shown IN the bundering msman
agePeBs Of our foreign re atons.
18th Therefore remedy existing evils, and prevent the
sastros otherwise resulting herefrom
- laid up the American Party" upon the principles
= rllabefore stated.
18th That each State Council shall have authority TO
amend their several constitutions To abolish the several
degrees and institute pledge Of honor, instead of other
obligations for fell Nshp and admission into the party.
10th free and open discussion Of all political principles
embraced ia our platform.