Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-07-23
Platform OF the American Party, adopted
AT the session or the National Council,
February 2Ist, 1855.

nj the bcSSlOu OIL the NdtIOnAl COunCli,
February 2lst, 1885.
lst- An humble acknowledgment to the Su-
preme Being, for His protecting care vouchsafed
10 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 must rule America, and to this
end native-born citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal, and municipal Offices orgoVernment
employment, In preference 10 all others never
theless,
4th. Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the
rights of nativeborn citizens but
9th. No person should be selected for political
station, whether Of native or foreign BIRTH who
recognises any allegiance or obligation of any de-
scription to any foreign prince, poentate power,
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions leach within its sphcre) paramount
to all other laws, as rules of political action.
9Th. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
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-interference by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the individual
States, and non-intervention by each State with
the affairs of any other State.
Tth. The recognition Of the right Of the native
born and naturaized 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-
sttution, with the privilege of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula-
ton for one Representative in Congress. Pr0Vided
al,oays, that none but those who are 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 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 ought to admit others than cit
Gems o. the United States to the right OF suffrage
or of holding political office.
9th. A change in the laws Of naturalization,
making continued residence Of twenty-one years
ofa not hereinbefore provided for an indispensable
requisite fof citizenship hereafter, and excluding all
paupers, 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.
1lth. Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functonaries, and
strict economy in public expenditures
18th. The maintenance ana enforcement OF all
laws constitutonally enacted until said laws shall
be repealed, or shall be declared null and void by
competent judicial authority.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwiso
policy of the present administration in the general
management Of our national affairs, and more es.
pecially as shown in removing Americans 10y
designation) and conservatives in principle, from
Office, and placing foreigners and utraists in their
places as shown 10 a trucking subseryiency to
the stronger, and an inselent and cowardy braya-
do towards the weaker powers; as shown in re-
opening sectional agitation, by the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise as shown in granting to IN
naturalized foreigners the right Of suffrage in Kan
sas and Nebraska as shown in itsvacillatnS 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
gracng meritorious naval officers through preju.
dice or caprice and as shown in the blundering
mismansgement of our foreign relations.
l4th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, anl
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
sulting therefrom, we would build up the "Ameri.
party" upon the principles herenbefore stated.
18th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rty TO amend their several constitutions, 80 as to
abolish the several degrees, and institute pledge
of honor, instead of other obligations for fellow
ship and sdmi sion into the party.
10th. A free and open discussion Of all political
principles embraced in our platform