Washington telegraph., 1856-04-02
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES
OF THE
A MERIC A N PA r 7 Y .
Adopted at the Session of the National
Council, Feb. 21st, 1856.

Council, FEB. ZlSC, 1000.
LIST. An humble acknowledgment to the
Supreme Being, for His protecting care
vouchsafed to our fathers In their successful
Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto mani
tested to US, their descendants. in the pre-
servation of the liberties. the independence,
and the Union of these States.
d The perpetuatiou of the Federal
Union. as the palladium of our civil and
religious liberties, and the only sure bull
wark Of American Independence
3D. AMERICANS MUST RULE AMERICA,
and to this end. natipe- born citizens should
be selected for all State, Federal, and mu-
nicipaI Offices, or Government'emplOyme
in preference to all others: nevertheless,
4th. Persons born of American parents
residing temporarily abroad, should be enti-
tied to all the benefits of native born citi-
zens: but
5th, No person should be selected for po-
litical station, whether of native or foreign
birth who recognizes any allegiance or OBJ
legation of any description to any foreign
prince. potentate. or power. or who refuses
to recognize the Federal and State Cons.i
tutions leach within its sphere) as para
mount to all other laws, as rules of political
action.
9th. The unqualified recognition and
maintenance of the reserved rights of the
several States, and the cultivation of harmo-
ny and fraternal good will. between the cit
liens of the several States, and to this end.
non-interference by Congress with questions
appertainirg solely to the individual States,
and non-=ntervention by each State with the
affairs of any other State.
7th. The recognition of the right of the
native born and naturalized citizens of the
United States, permanently residing in any
Territory thereof. to frame their constitu-
ton and laws. and to regulate their dOmes-
tic and social affairs In their own mode. sub
ject only to the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution, with the privilege of admission
into the Union when they have the requi-
site population for one Representative In
Congress. P|0rideG atlGdyS. 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 formation of the Constitution, or In
the enactment of laws for said Territory or
State
Sth. An enforcement of the principle that
10 State or Territory ought to admit others
than citizens OF the United States to the
right Of suffrage. or of holding political Of
fee.
9th. 4 change IN. the laws of naturaliza-
ton, making a continued residence of twen-
ty-one years. of all not hereinbefore provi-
ded for, ali indispensable requisite for citi-
zenship hereafter. and excluding all pau
pers. and persons convicted of crime, from
landing upon our shores; but no interfer-
ence with the vested rights of foreigners
10Th. Opposition to any union between
Church and State; no interference with re-
Ggious faith or worship, and no tests
for office, except those indicated in the 9th
section of this platform.
ilth- Free and thorough investigation
into any and all alleged abuse of public
functionaries, and strict economy in pub
lie expenditures
18th The maintenance and enforcement
OF all laws constitutionaliy enacted, until
said laws shall be repealed, or shall be de.
clared null and void by competent Judicial
authority
18th Opposition to the reckless and un
wise policy Of the present administration in
the general management of our national af
fairs. and more especially as shown in re
moving Americans 10y designation) ant
conservatives in principle, from Office, ant
placing foreigners and ultraists in their pla
ces; as shown in trucking subserviency
to the stronger, and an insolcnt and coward
ly bravado towards the weaker powers; a
Shown in re-opening sectional agitation, b,
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise a
sbOB4 in granting TO unnaturalized foreign
ers the Fight Of suffrage in Kansas and Ne
bfasla /; AZ shown in its vacillating course
On the Kansas and Nebraska question; a
shown in the corruptions which pervad,
some o. the departments of the government
as shown in disgracing meritOrious nava
officers through prejudice or caprice: an(
SIS shown in the blundering mismanagemen
81 our foreign relations.
isth. Therefore, to remedy existing evils
E; ms prevent the disastrous consequences
C tharwise resulting therefrom, we would
b. iiid up the American party upon the
principles hereinI,efore stated
18th. Z hat each State Council shall have
authority sto amend their several constitu
tioas, Sc as to abolish the several degrees
and INSTITUTE pledge of heaer. instead -o
other obligations for fellowship and admis
eion into the party
10Th. A free aud open discussion of al
po.itical principles embraced in Cur plat
ferm