The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-10-25
TIB lABRICAs NATIONAL PLATFORM.

Z An humble acknowledgements the Supreme
Being who rules the Universe for His protecting
ca1e, vou0hsafed to our fathers in their successful
revolutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested tt
~ their descendants, in the preservation Of the lib
etties. the Independence and the union of these States
u. The perpetuati0n Of the Federal Union as the
palladium q our civil and religious liberties, and the
only sure bnlwark Of American independence.
III. AmeFicdms fsastTtAe america; and to this end
Yatsre born citizens should be selected for all State
Federal and Municipal Offices or Government EN-.
ployment, y preference TO naturalized citizens ner.
~. Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the rights
u native born citizens; but
Y. M person should be selected for political sta
ZION, tWhether OF native or foreign birth,) who recog.
mixes my allegiance or obligation of any description
20 any foreign prince, potentate or power, or who
refuses TO recognize the Federal and State Constitu.
lions leach within its sphere) a.. paramount to all
other laws as rules of political action. S7l
vi. The unqualified recognition and maintenance
or the reserved rights of the several States, and the
= cuitivaaon OF harmony and ~fraternal good will be-
tween the citizens Of the several States; and to this
end, non.interferencS by Congress with questions
appertaining solely to the individual States, and
other State.
VII. Tho recognition Of the right of the native,
born and naturalixed citizens of the United States
permanently residing in any Territory thereof, to
frame their Constitution and laws, and to regulate
seAst41| 49, ~ nd.social affairs, in their own mode,
ss5la Mshs provisions Of the Federal Consti.
edti0nsW4th the right OF admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite population for one
Representative in Congress; 4Prouided aiaSays, that
n0neg hut those who are citizens Of the United States,
under the Consultation and laws thereof, and who
have 2 liked residence In any such Territory, ought
70 participate In the formation of the Constitution, or
In the enactment Of laws for said Territory or State.
VIII. An enforcement of the principle that no
State o. Territory con admit others than native born
cittsens 70 the right Of suffrage, or of holding politi-
N8IanUHrA uutuaH ut1Nh oh III Irn,,n 49,
rallxed according to the laws of the United States.
Ia. "A change in the laws of naturalization making
= continued residence of twenty-one years, of all not
heretofore provided for, an indispensable requisite
Tor citizenship hereafter, and excluding all paupers,
and persons convicted Of crime, from landing upon
our shores; but no interference with the vested
rights Of foreigners,
x. Opposition to any union between Church and
State; no interference with religious faith or worship,
and no test oaths for Office, except those indicated In
the fifth section of this platform.
Al. Free and thorough Investigation into any and
all alleged abuses of public tunctionaries, and q strict
economy in public expenditures.
XII. The maintenance and enforcement of all laws
until said laws shall be repealed, or shall be declared
null and void by competent judicial authority.
xii. Opposition to the reckless and unwise policy
Of the present Administration in the generalmanage-
mcnt Of our national affairs, and more especially as
IN removing " Americans " (by designation)
and conservatives in principle from office, and placing
and ultraists in their places; as shown in
q trucking stlbserviency to the stronger, and an in
solent and cowardly bravado towards the weaker
powers; as shown in reopening sectional agitation,
BY the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; as shown
IN granting TO unnaturalized foreigners the right to
suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown in its
facilitating course on the Kansas and Nebrasks ques-
ton; az shown in the removal of Judge Bronson from
the coi'ectorship Of NewYork upon false and unten-
abe grounds; % shown in disgracing meritorious
naval officers through prejudice or caprice; and as
eign relations.
XIV. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and prc.
vent the disastrous consequences otherwise resulting
snerelrom, we would build up the American Party
upon the principles hereinbefore stated, e~schewing
Al sectional questions, and uniting these purely ma,
tional, and admitting into said party all American
citizens ~(referred to in the third, fourth and fifth
:s%ections1 xhosopenly avow the principles and opin
ions a~eretolore expressed, and who will Subscribe
Their names to this platform; Provided, nevertheless
That q majority Of those members present Ut any
m me Or . local council where an applicant applies
Tor membership in the American PARTY, NAV. for any
such applicant.
XIV. a free and open discussion of ali POLITICAL
Trincipese embraced in our platform.