Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-09-22
WASHINGTON. (. MONDAY AFTERNOON SEPTEMBER D. 1856
Platform Of the American Party, adopted
at the session OF the National Council,
February 2Ist. 1856.


February 21st, 1856.
ist. An humble acknowledgment to the SUI
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'd. The perpetuation of the Federal Union, as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties,
and the only sure bulwark Of American Indepen-
dence.
Sd. americans mast rule america, and to this
end ative-born citizens should be selected for oil
State, Federal, and municipal Offices orgovernment
employment, in preference to all others: never
theless,
4th. Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the
rights Of natiye-born citizens but
9TH. No person should be selected for political
station, whether of native foreign birth, who
recognises any allegiance or obligation Of any de-
scrption to any foreign prince, potentate 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.
9th. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
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, n0nnterference by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the individual
States, and non-intervention by each State with
the affairs of any other State.
7th The recognition of the right of the native
born and naturazed 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 popula-
ton for one Representative in Congress. Provided
al,oays, that none but those who are citizens of
the United States. under the constitution and laws
thereof and who have a 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.
9Th. An enforcement of the principle that no
State or Territory ough to admit others than citi-
zens ot the United States to the right of suffrage,
or of holding political Office.
9th. change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty-one years,
ofa not hereinbefore provided for, indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all
paupeIs, 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.
l1th. Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functonaries, and
a strict economy in public expenditures
18th. The maintenance and enforcement OF all
laws constituiopally enacted, until said laws shall
be repealed, or shall be declared null and void by
competent judicial authority.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwise
policy of the present administration in the general
management of our national affairs, and more es-
pecially as shown in removing Americans (by
designation) and conservatives in principle, from
office, and placing foreigners and utraists in their
places; as shown in trucking subserviency to
the stronger, and an insolent 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-
naturalized foreigners the right of suffrage in Kan
and Nebraska shown in its vacillating course
on the Kansas and Nebraska question; as shown
in the corruptions which pervade some of the de-
partments of the government; as shown in dis
gracing meritorous naval officers through preju-
dice Or caprice and as shown in the blundering
mismanagement of our foreign relations.
l4th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise
sulting therefrom, we would build up the "Ameri-
oaa party" upon the principles herenbefore stated
10Th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rity 70 amend their several constitutions, so to
abolish the several degrees, and institute pledge
of honor, instead of other obligations for fellow
ship and admi sion into the party.
10th. A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform