The Empire County argus., 1856-08-30
National American Platform.

(4doptsd at Philadelphia, February 22d 1860
First-An humble acknowledgment to the Supreme
Being who rules the universe for his protecting care
vouchafed to our fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to u.s. their descendants
in the preservation of the liberties the independence and
the union of these States.
Second-The perpetuaon of the Federal Union as the
palladium of our civil and religious liberties and the only
sure bulwark of American Independence.
Thrd-Americans must rule America, and to this end,
native born citizens should be selected for all State Fede
raj and municipal offices of government employment in
preference to naturaized citizens, necerthelesS;
Fourth.-Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the rights of
native-born citizens; but
FthNo persons should be elected for political station
(wheher native of foreign birh who recognizes any
allegiance obligation OF any description to any foreign
prince poenate Power who refuses to recognize
the Federal and State Constitutions, each within its
sphere paramount to all other laws rules of polt
cal action.
Sixth-The unqualified recognition and maintenance of
the reserved rights of the several States and the cuva
ton of harmony and raternal goodwill between the ct
of the several States and this end nonntererence
by Congress with questions appertanng solely to the nd
vua States and intervention by each State with the
affairs of any other State
SeventhThe recognition the right of the native born
and naturazed citizens of the United States permanently
residing in any Territory thereof to frame their Consttu
ton and Laws and to regulate their domestic and social
affairs in their NODES only to the provisions
of the Federal Constitution with the right of admission
into the Union whenever they have the requisite popula
ton for Representative in Congress- Provided always
that but those who citizens of the United States
fixed residence in any such Territory ought to participate
in the formation of the Constitution in the enactment
of laws for said Territory or State.
Eighth.-An enforcement of the principle that State
Territory admit others than naveborn citizens
the right of suffrage, of holding political Office unless
such persons shall have been naurazed according to the
Nnth.-A change in the laws of naturalization making
continued residence of twenyone years. of all not here
ofore provided for indispensable requisite for citizen
ship hereafter, and excluding all paupers and persons
convicted of crime, from landing upon shores but
interference with the vested rights of foreigners.
Tenth.-opposton to any union between Church and
State interference with religious faith worship, and
no test oaths for office except those indicated in the 9TH
section of this platform.
Eleventh.Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public fnctionaries and strict
economy in public expenditures.
Twelfth-The maintenance and enforcement of all laws
until said laws shall be repealed shall be declared null
and void by competent judicial authority
to the reckless and unwse pol
icy of the present Administration in the general manage
ment of national affairs and especially shown
in removing Americans" by designation and
ves in principle from Office and placing foreigners and
ultraists in their places shown in trucking subser
vlency to the stronger and nsolent and cowardly
bravado towards the weaker powers shown in reopen
ing sectional agitation by the repeal of the Missouri Com
promises as shown in granting to unnaturazed foreign
the suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska shown
in its vascating course the Kansas and Nebraska
question shown in the removal of Judge Bronson from
the Colectorshp of New York upon false and untenabe
grounds shown in the corruptons which pervade
of the Departments of the Government shown in dis
gracing mertorous naval officers through prejudice
caprice and shown in the laundering msmanagement
of our foreign relations.
Fourteenth-Therefore to remedy existing evils and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise resulting
thererom would build up the american party" upon
the principles herenbefore stated eschewng all sectional
questions, and uniting upon those purely national and
admitting into said party all American citizens (referred
10 IN the 3d. 4th and 9TH sectOns) who openly the
principles and opinions heretofore expressed and who will
subscribe their names to this platform. Provided,
neess that majority of those members present at any
neeung OF local council where applicant applies for
memoershp IN the American party may for any
by the deemed sufficient deny admission 10 such applicant
fifteenth-A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform