Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-14
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council
February 81. 1856

humble acknowledgement to the Supreme Being for
his protecting vouchad fathers in their success
fu Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to us,
their descendants the preservation Of the liberties the
independence, and the union of these States
ID The perpeuaton Of the Federal Union, the paa
dium and religious liberties and the only sure
buwark Of American Independence.
Sd Americana must rae ADerod, and to this end ma
rborn citizens should for all State Federal and
municipal Offices or government employment preference
70 all others nevertheless,
4h Persons American parents residing Temporal
rly abroad should be the rights Of natiVeborn
citizens; but
9th No person should be selected for political station
(wether native foreign BIRTH who recognises any ae
glance obligation Of any description foreign prince
potente power who refuses recognise the Federal
ant State Constitutions leach within its sphere paramount
10 all other laws rules Of political action.
9th The unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights States and the cultivation d
harmony good viii between the citizens Of the
States and this end nonnterence by Congress
with questions appertaning solely the individual States
and nonnterventon by each State with the affairs d any
other State.
7th The recognition of the right Of natveborn and
naturazed citizens Of United States permanently resid
ing in any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws regulate their domestic and social affairs their
mode, subject only to the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution with the privilege Of admission into the Union
they have the requisite population for Repre-
sentatvo in Congress. PrOJided Gloays that but
thoe who are citizens the United States under the
sttuon and laws thereof and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory ought participate in the formation Of
the constitution or Of for said Terri
tory State
sh An enforcement Of The principle that State Ter
ritorv ought to admit others than citizens Of the United
States to the right suffrage OF holding political office.
9TH. change in laws Of naturalization, making
residence Of twentyone years. Of an not hereinbeore
provided for indpens bile requisite for citizenship here
after and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores but no interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
10Th Opposition TO any Church and State;
interference with religious faith worship, and no test
oaths for Office.
l1th and thorough investigation into any and all al
ledged abuses Of public functionae and street economy
in public expenditures.
12th The maintenance and enforcement all laws
sttutonay enacted until said laws shall be repealed
sha be declared null and void by competent Judicial au-
thority.
18th Opposition 10 the reckless and unwse policy the
present administration in the general management Of our
naton affairs, and especially shown in removing
Americans" by designation and conservatives in prnci-
Pile from Office and placing foreigners and urasts N their
places trucking subservency the stronger,
and and cowardy brsvado towards the weaker
powers shown in reopenng sectional agitation by the
repeal Of the COmprOmise shown granting 70
unuaurazed foreigners the right of suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraskai as sho"h IN t7 'as'dtlR Couise o" ie
and Nebra-ka question: shown the corrupons which
pervnde of the departments Of the Government;
shown dgracing mert0rious naval officers through
udice caprice; and shown in the blunderng misman
agement Of our foreign re ations.
14h Therefore remedy existing evils and prevent the
disastrous consequences otherwise resulting thereom,
would build up the American Party" upon the principles
herenbefore stated.
18th. That each State Council shall have authority TO
amend their several constitutions abolish the several
degress and institute pledge Of honor instead Of other
obligations for fell wshp and admission into the party
10Th. free aud open discussion Of all cal principles
embraced Ia our platform.