Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1856-11-18
CCosuuyIcsrIoy,
AMERICAN PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES.

At meeting of the Grand Chief Council of the
Americon party, at the head of Salt river, on the
4th of November, 1856, the following platform of
principles and opinions was adopted by majority
vote:
/. An humble and obedient acknowledgment
of the great superiority of the democratic party,
which Ito us) now seems almost to rule the uni
verse; which party, from the signs of the times ap-
pear to vouch safe to the people the preservation
and perpeuation of the liberties and independence
of our union of States; secured, at fret by the
blood and treasure of our revolutionary fathers.
2. If the Federal Union be preserved as the
great palladium of our civil and religious Liberties,
and the sure bulwark of our independence, the
great responsibility must rest on the democratic
party nasmuch zoe, as party, retired in disgust
from the field of strife.
g. We have, all the while, said that americans
ALONE should govern and rule America; and that
none but native-born citizens should be selected
for Office, etc; but we use the term AMERICAN to
mean DEMocRsT-nothing more-nothing less and
so far as the term NATIVE is concerned, we believe
the word, properly, means one born on American
soil! or, at least, friendly to the institutions of
country About this, however, there is differ
ence of opinion; but we are. willing that the leaders
of the democratic party may interpret the meaning
of the term, as well as everything else, according
to Just and proper rules
f. Persons residing temporarily abroad although
of American parents should keep entirely out Of
the range of the Pope, 1--WE hate the Pope) as an
intimacy with such dignitaty Injuries the popu-
larity of one aspiring to high Office.
5. No person should be selected for political
Office or station who owes or recognizes any ale
glance, fidelity or obligation to any foreign Prince,
Potsntate or Sovereign, (the Devil not excepted)
or who is allied to any secret political organza-
ton.
G. 1he qualified recognition Of the reserved rig ais
of the States. States which wholly neglect their
cherished sons, in great emergency, ought TO
have no reserved rights We denounce New
York -
Z. The subject OF Territories, and rights of cti-
zens in such places, hard things for Us to m
derstand. An investigation OF them, like Prtveie
correspondence, are, at best troublesome, il not
dangerous experiments; and hence, we pTetey1nI
any expression of opinion. - IA EF a
8. An enforcement OF the principle that "squat-
ter sovereignty" should be allowed or suffered IN
no place except in kind of an Indian country,
ike Utah or New Mexico.
9. We believe tnat all Indians, and every body
else ought to be naturalizsG: and those who oil i
nately refuse should be driven from North Ameri-
ca.
10. We think it nothing short of treason to at
tempt to unite church and State; and we have
some doubt as to the propriety of making test of
any kind for Office The truth is, office is some
thing we feel very Indifferent about, and never ex-
pect o seek.
IL. Free and thorough investigation as to al.
most eyeryt except the doiDgs of great poti-
cal parties. Our creed is, that no party should b
held responsible for its obnoxious acts or Violated
pledges They have other and greater sins TO an
swer for. -..--
II. The maintenance of all laws Except those
against betting on elections, and few others) un-
al L. danl mil and
Ii. Opposition to the reckless and unwise policy
of the editors, public speakers, and politicians gen.
orally of our party, in the prosecution and general
management of the late Preside ntisl canvass, by
means whereof many Of US have been totally
ruined. Our money has been toolishly expended
in preparing barbecues, raising poles constructing
transparencies, "Gnd so FORTH 'spd SO iorth" re-
peated until our breath Is gone. We might in this
connection speak of heavy risks and losses on the
general result as well as other results not very
general but we have not patience to dwell on this
point. But last, and not least We stste the OPEN
ing of the sectional question between the northern
and southern wings OF our party, resulting in the
repeal of the 18th section OF tue best platform we
were ever able to make; and as natural and IN
avoidable consequence the removal of the great
body of our party to this inhospitable and heaven
forsaken Cline
IA Therefore, to remedy existing evils (and they
are numerous enough and to prevent the dsas-
trous consequences resulting tnerefrom, land they
loom up in massive clouds before cur weakened
vision), we will never again attempt to build up
ourselves on the ruins Of other parties, but being
situated as we are on the outskirts we wiz try to
become little more Americanized by negotiating on
as friendly terms as possible with the aborgnes of
our Opgn America.
l5. A free and open discussion of all principles
and questions, except such as have become Wearl-
some to US by excessive investigation.
PoETIcAL JOSHUA, President.
GprIsY TENSEssEAN Secretary.