The Empire County argus., 1856-10-18
National American Platform.

(Adopted at PhaadelpAia, February 22d, 1861
First.-An humble acknowledgment to the Supreme
Being who rules the universe, for his protecting care
vouchsafed to fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle and hitherto manifested to u.s. their descendants
in the of the liberties the independence and
Second-The perpetuation of the Federal Unon as the
palladium of civil and religious liberties, and the only
sure buwark of American Independence.
ThirdAmericans must rule America, and to this end
native born citizens should be selected for all State Fede
raj and municipal offices of government employment in
preference to naturalized citizens, nevertheless;
Fourth.-Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the rights Of
natve-born citizens; but
Fifth-No persons should be elected for political station
1whether native or of foreign brth who recognizes any
allegiance or obligation of any description to any foreign
prince potentate or Power who refuses to recognize
the Federal and State Constitutions each within its
cal action.
the reserved rights of the several States and the cuva
ton of harmony and fraerna goodwill between the citi
of the several States and to this end nonnerrence
by Congress with questions appertanng solely to the nd
vdua States and non-nerventon by each State with 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 Constitu
tion and Laws and to regulate their domestic and social
affairs in their NODES subject only to the provisions
of the Federal Constitution with the right of admission
into the Union whenever they have the requisite popua
ton for Representative in Congress Provided always
that but those who citizens of the United States
under the Constitution and laws thereof and who have
in the formation of the Constitution, in the enactment
of laws for said Territory State
Eighth.-An enforcement of the principle that State
or Territory can admit others than naveborn citizens to
the right of suffrage, of holding political office unless
such persons shall have been naturzed according the
laws of the United States.
NinthA change in the laws of naturalization making
continued residence of twenyone years. of all not here
toore provided for indispensable requisite for citizen
ship hereafter and excluding all paupers and persons
convicted of crme from landing upon shores but
interference with the vested rights of foreigners.
State interference with religious faith worship and
no test oahs for office except those indicated in the 9Th
section of this platform
Eleventh-Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionaries and strict
economy in public expenditures.
Twefh.-The maintenance and enforcement of all laws
until said laws shall be repealed shall be declared null
and void by competent judicial authority.
Thrteenth-Opposition to the reckless and unwise pol
icy of the present Administration in the general manage
men of national affairs and especially shown
in removing Americans by designation) and conserva-
tyes IN principle from office, and placing foreigners and
utraiss in their places shown in trucking subser-
viency to the stronger and insolent and a cowardy
bravado towards the weaker powers shown in reopen
ing sectional agitation, by the repeal of the Missouri Com
promise shown in granting to unnauraized foreign
the right suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska shown
in its vasciating on the Kansas and Nebraska
question shown in the removal of Judge Bronson from
the Coectorshp of New York upon false and untenabe
grounds shown in the corrupons which pervade
of the Departments of the Government shown dis
gracng meritorous naval officers through prejudice or
caprce and shown in the laundering mismanagement
OF our foreign relations
Fourteenth Therefore, to remedy existing evils and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise resulting
therefrom, would build up the american party upon
the principles herenbeore stated eschewng all sectional
questions and uniting upon those purely national and
admitting into said party all American citizens referred
to in the 3d. 4th and 9TH secons) who openly the
principles and opinions heretofore expressed and who will
subscribe their names to this platform Provided never
theless, that majority of those members present any
meeting of local council where applicant applies for
membership in the American party may, for any
by the deemed sufficient deny admission to such applicant
Fifteenh.-A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in platform.