Washington telegraph., 1856-08-27
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES
OF THE
A Nj E RIG N PA RI Y

OF THE
MERIC RTY.
lst An humble acknowledgment to the
Supreme Being. for His protecting care
vouchsafed to our fathers in their successful
Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto mani
tested to US, their descendants. in the pre-
servation of the liberties. the independence,
and the Union of these States.
%. The perpetuation of the Federal
Union as the palladium of our civil and
religious liberties, and the only sure bull
wark of American Independence.
Sd. AMERICANS MUST RULE AMERICA.
and to this end. natire burn citizens should
be selected for all State, Federal, and mu-
nicipal offices, or Government employment.
in preference to all others: nevertheless,
4th Persons born of American parents
residing temporarily abroad, should be enti
tied to all the benefits of native born citi-
zens: but
5th, No person should be selected for pe-
litical station. (whether 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 ConS,i-
tutions Teach within its sphere) as para
mount to all other laws, as rules Of political
action.
9th. The unqualified recognition and
maintenance Of the reserved rights of the
several States, and the cultivation of harmo-
ny aud fraternal good will. between the cit
izens of the several States, and to this end.
non-interference by Congress with questions
appertaIniEg solely to the individual States,
and on-intervention By each State with the
affairs Of any other State.
7th. The recognition of the right of the
native born and naturalized citizens of the
United States. permanently residing in any
Territory thereof, to frame their cnnstitu-
ton and laws, and to regulate their domes-
tic and social affairs in their own mode. sub
ject only to the provisions of the Federal
Constitution. with the privilege of admission
into the Union when they have the requi-
site population for one Representative in
Congress PIouided ai,oays. 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 formation of the Constitution, or in
the enactment Of laws for said Territory CT
State
9Th. An enforcement of the principle that
10 State or Territory ough, to admit others
than citizens of the United States to the
right Of suffrage. or of holding political Of
fee
9Th. A change In the laws of naturaliza-
ton. making a continued residence of twen-
ty-one years. of all not hereinbefore provi-
ded for, an indispensable requisite for citi-
zenship hereafter, and excluding all pau
pers and persons convicted of crime, from
landing upon our shores; but no interfer-
ence with the vested rights of foreigners
10th. Opposition to any union between
Church and State; no interference with re-
ligious faith or worship, and no tests
for Office. except those indicated in the 9Th
section of this platform.
llth. Free and thorough investigation
into any and AL alleged abuse of public
funcslonarIes. and strict economy in Pub
lie expenditures.
18th. The maintenance and enforcement
Of all laws cons;itutionaIIy enacted, until
sald laws shall be repealed, or shall be de-
clared null and void by competent judicial
authority.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and un-
wise policy of the present administration in
the general management Of our national af
fairs. and more especially as shown in re-
moving Americans 10y deSignation) aud
conservatives in principle. from office, and
placing foreigners and ultraists in their pla
ces; as shown in trucking subserviency
to the stronger. and an insolent and coward
ly bravado towards the weaker powers; a.
shown in re-Opening sectional agitation, by
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise a,
shown in granting to unnaturalized foreign
ers the right Of suffrage in Kansas and Ne.
braska ; as shown in its vacillating cours.
on the Kansas and Nebraska question a,
shown in the corruptions which pervade
some of the departments of the government
as shown in disgracing meritorious nava
officers through prejudice or caprice: and
as shown in the laundering mismanagemen,
OF our foreign relations.
i4th- Therefore, to remedy existing evils
ana prevent the disastrous consequences
otherwise resulting therefrom, we would
build up the American party upon the
principles hersinbefore stated.
18th. That each State Council shall have
authority to amend their several eonsritu.
tions, SO as to abolish the several deoraas
and institute pledge of honor, instead Of
other obligations for fellowship and admis.
sion into the party.
10Th free and open discussion of all
political principles embraced in our plat
form.