American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-08-09

AMERICAN PLATFORM
lst. An humble acknowledgment, to the
Supreme Being who rules the universe, for
his protecting care vouchsafed to our fathers
in their successful Revolutionary Struggle,
and hitherto manifested to us, their descend
ants, in the preservation Of the liberties, the
Independence, and the union of these States.
2d. The perpetuation Of the Federal Union
as the palladium Of our civil and religious
liberties, and the only sure bulwark of Amer
lean Independence. ..
81. AMERICANS MUST RULE AMERICA, and
TO this end ndtire- born citizens should be Sc
lected for all State, Federal, and municipal
Offices or government employment, in pref
erence to naturalizcd citizens ncucrheless,
4Ih. Persons born Of American parents
residing temporarily abroad, should be emit
tied to all the rights Of native. born citizens ;
but
5th No person should be- selected for po-
litical stations( whe Their Of native or foreign
birth, who recognizes any allegiance or OBJ
legation of any description TO any foreign
prince, potentate or power, or who refuses
TO recognize the Federal and State consttu-
lions (each within its 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
fraternal good will, between the citizens of
the several States, and to--this end, noninter-
ference by Congress with questions apper-
tanning solely to the individual States and
non-intervention BY each State with the af-
fairs of any other State.
18th. The recognition of tho right of the
native born and naturalized 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
10 the provisions Of the Federal Constitution,
with the right Of admission into the Union
whenever they have The requisite popula-
ton for one Representative in Congress-
Prorided. Gl.cGys, that none but those who
arc 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 formation 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 can admit others Than
native-born citizens TO the right of suffrage,
or Of holding political office, unless such
person shall have been naturalizeI accord
ing to the laws Of the United States.
9th. A change in tho laws Of naturalza.
ton, making continued residence Of TWEEN
ty one years, Of all not heretofore provided
for, an indispensable requisite for citizen
ship hereafter, and excluding all paupers and
persons convicted Of crime, from landing
upon onT shores but no interference with
the vested rights Of foreigners.
10th. Opposition 10 any union between
Church and State no Interference with re.
ligious faith, or worship, and no test ooths
for office, except those indicated in the 9Th
section Of this platform.
1lth. Free an! thorough investigation in
to any and all alleged abuses Of public func.
tionares, and strict economy in public ex-
pendturcs.
l2lh. The maintenance and enforcement
Of all laws until said laws shall be repealed,
or shall be declared null and void BY compe-
tent judicial authority.
18Th. Opposition to the reckless & unwise
policy OF the present administration in the
general management Of Our national affairs,
and more especially as shown ia removing
Americans" (by designotion) and conserva.
lives in principle, from Office, and placing
foreigners and ulraists in their places as
shown in trucking subserviency to the
stronger, and an insolent and coward[y bra.
yajo towards the weaker powers as shown
in re.opening sectional agitation, by the re-
peal Of The Missouri Compromise as shown
in granting TO unnaturalized foreigners the
right to suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska
as shown in its vasciIlaling course on the
Kansas aud Nebraska question; as shown
in The removal Of Judge Bronson from the
Coleciorship OF New York upon false and
untenable grounds; as shown in the corrup
tons which pcrvade some Of the depart.
ments Of the government; as shown in dis.
gracing merltorious naval officers through
prejudice or caprice and as shown in he
laundering Encouragement Of our foreign
relations. .
llth Therefore, to remedy existing evils
and prevent the disastrous consequences
Il. L.
build up the american party" upon the
principles hereinbcfore stated, eschswing all
sectional questions, and uniting upon those
purely national, and admitting into said
party all American citizens, (feieued TO in
the 81, 4lh, and 9Th sections who openly a.