Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-10-01
WASHINGTON d. G. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON OCTOBER / 1856
Platform of the American Party, adopted
at the session OF the National Council,
February 2lst, 1856.

t0SsVAnA Ol INC hmcTIC4u T6Tlys 0QOUte0
at the session OF the National Council,
February 2Ist, 1856.
lst. An humble acknowledgment to the gu
preme Being, for His protecting care vouchsafed
to our fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to us their de-
scendants in the preservation of the liberties, the
independence, and the union of these States. I
I'd. The perpetuaton of the Federal Union, as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties,
and the only sure bulwark Of American Indepen-
dence. bsT @ sss A 80
Sd. americans mssst rnlc Anerica, and to this
end nativeborn citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal, and municipal Offices orgovernment
employment, in preference to all others: never
theless, 81. % 5atf 81 I EA
4th. Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the
rights Of native-born citizens but
9th. No person should be selected for political
station, (whether of native or foreign BIRTH who
recognises any allegiance or obligation of any de-
scrption to any foreign prince, potentate or power
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions leach within its sphere as paramount
to all other laws, as rules Of political action. II
y 9TH The unqualified recognition and mante-
nance 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, non-interference by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the Individual
States, and n0n-interyention by each State with
the affairs of any other State.
7th The recognition Of the right of the native
born and naturaized 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 to the provisions of the Federal Con-
stitution with the privilege of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popua-
ton for one Representative in Congress- Provided
dl,cdys, 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 forma-
tion OF the constitution, or in the enactment of
laws for said Territory or State. fl.$
Sth. An enforcement of the principle that no
State or Territory ough to admit others than cti-
zens o! the United States to the right Of suffrage
or of holding political Office
eth. A change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty-one years,
ofal not hereinbefore provided for an Indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter and excluding all
paupcrs, and persons convicted Of crime from land
ing upon our shores; but no interference with the
vested rights of foreigners.
10th. Opposition to any union between Church
and State no interference with religious faith, or
worship, and no test oaths for Office. 4t-|
lth. Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionaries and
strict economy in public expenditures.
3 sl2th The maintenance and enforcement of all
laws consttutionally enacted, until said laws shall
be repealed, or shall be declared null and void by
competent judicial authority. sa3s
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwse
policy OF the present administration in the general
management of our national affairs, and more es-
pecially as shown in removing eAmercans (by
dcsignahOn) and conservatives in principle, from
office and placing foreigners and ultraists in their
places; as shown in a trucking subserviency to
the stronger, and an inselent and cowardly brava-
do towards the weaker powers; as shown in re-
opening sectional agitation, by the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise; as shown in granting to un-
naturaized foreigners the right of suffrage In Kan
sas and Nebraska as shown in it's vacllating course
on the Kansas and Nebraska question as shown
in the corruptions which peryade some of the de-
partments of the government as shown in dis
gracing mertorious naval officers through preju-
dice or caprice; and as shown in the blundering
msmanagement of our foreign relations.
l4th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
sulting therefrom, we would build up the "Ameri-
can party" upon the principles hereinbeore stated
10th. That each State Council shall have autho- \
rity TO amend their several constitutions, so as to
abolish the several degrees, and institute pledge
of honor, instead of other obligations for fellow
ship and admi sion into the party l
toe 10th. "A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform s11l8