American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-05-31
PLATFORM.

1si. An humble acknowledgement to the
Supreme Being who rules the universe, for
his protecting care vouchsafed to our fathers
in their successful Revolutionary struggle,
and hitherto manifested 10 us, their descend
ants, in the preservation Of tho liberties, The
independence, and the union of these States.
I'd. The perpetuaton Of the Federal Union
as the palladium of our civil and religious
liberties, and the only sure bulwark of Amer
lean independence.
3D.. AMERICANS MUST RULE AMERICA, and
to this end, natire- born citizens should be Sc.
lected for all State, Federal, and municipal
Offices or government employment, in pref
erence to naturalized citizens neucrthcless,
4th. Persons born of American parents
residing temporarily abroad, should be emit
tied TO all the rights of native. born citizens !;
but
9th. No person should DO selected for po-
litical stations whether of native or foreign
BIRTH who recognizes any allegiance or OBJ
legation of any description to any foreign
prince poten'a,e or power, or who refuses
to recognize the Federal and State consti,u-
lions (each within its sphere) us paramount
to all other laws, as rules of political action
9th. The unqualified recognition and main.
tenance 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.inter-
ference by Congress with questions apper-
tanning solely to the individual States, and
non-intervention BY each State with the af-
tairs Of any other State.
9TH. The recognition Of the righ, of the
native born and naturaliZed citizens Of the
United States, permanently residing in any
territory thereof, 10 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 Constitution,
with the right of admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite popula.
ticn for one Representative in Congress-
Provided. always, that none but those who
IRE 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 formation 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 can admit Others than
nalive-born citizens 10 the right of suffrage,
or Of holding political office, unless such
person shall have been naturalized accord.
i'm IN h, Ia, nf
9th. A change in the laws of natuFaliza
ton, making continued residence Of TWEEN
ty -one years, of all not heretofore provided
for, an indispensable requisite for citizen
ship hereafter, and excluding all paupcrsaud
persons convicted of crime, from landing
upon our shores but no interference with
the vested rights Of foreigners.
10Th. Opposition TO any union between
Church and Stale no interference with re.
ligious faith, or worship, and no test ooths
for Office, except those indicated in the 9th
section Of this platform. z
18th. Free and thorough investigation in
to any and all alleged abuses of public func.
tionaIies, and a strict economy in public ex.
pendhures.
12lh. The maintenance and enforcement
OF all laws until said laws shall be repealed,
or shall be declared null and void by compe-
tent judicial authority.
18Th. Opposition to the reckless s. unwise
policy Of the present administration in the
general management of our national affairs,
and more especially as shown in removing
"Amerlcans'' (by designO,ion) and conserva.
,ives in principle, from Office, and placing
foreigners and u!'raisis in their places as
shown in a trucking subserviency to the
stronger, and an insolent and cowardIy bra.
yado towards the weaker powers; as shown
IN re.opening sectional agitation, b. The re-
peal OF the Missouri Compromise as shown
in granting TO unnaluralzed foreigners the
right TO suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska !;
as shown in its yascilla,ing course on the
Kansas aud Nebraska question as shown
in the removal of Judge Bronson from the
Collectorship of New York upon false and
untenable grounds; as shown in the corrup
tons which peryade some Of tho depart
mcn's OF the government; as shown in dis
grazing medtorious naval officers through
prejudice or caprice and as shown in he
laundering Encouragement Of our foreign
relations.
lath. Therefore, TO remedy existing ev x
and prevent the disastrous consequences
otherwise resulting therelrom, we would
build up the "American party" upon the
principles hereinbefore stated, eschewing all
sectional questions, and uniting upon those
purely natiooal, and admitting into said
party all American citizens, Deferred TO In
The Sd, 9TH, and 9Th sec,ions,) who openly a.
VOW the principles and opinions heretofore
expressed, and who will subscribe their
names to this platform, Provided, mover.
theless, that o majority Of those members