The Empire County argus., 1856-10-25
National American Platform.

adopted at Phata6elphl0, February 22d, 1860
First.-An humble acknowledgment to the Supreme
Being who rules the universe for his protecting care
vouchsafed to fathers their successful
struggle and hitherto manifested to us their descendants
the union of these States.
Second-The perpetuaon of the Federal Union, as the
palladium of our civil and religious liberties and the only
sure buwark of American Independence.
Third-Americans 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
natveborn citizens but
Fifth-No persons should be elected for political station
(whether native or of foreign brth who recognizes any
prince potenta or Power or who refuses to recognize
the Federal and State Constitutions each within it's
cal action. PNA''
Sixth-The unqualified recognition and maintenance of
the reserved rights of the several States and the culva-
ton of harmony and faternal goodwill between the citi
of the several States and to this end
by Congress with questions apperanng solely the nd
vdua States and nonntervenon by each State with the
affairs of any other State
Seventh recognition of the right of the native born
and nauralized citizens of the United States permanently
residing in any Territory thereof to frame their Constt-
ton and Laws and to regulate their domestic and social
affairs in their own modes, 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 none but those who citizens of the United States
under the Constitution and laws thereof and who have
fixed residence in any such Territory ought participate
in the formation of the Constitution or in the enactment
of laws for said Territory or State.
Eghh.-An enforcement of the principle that no State
or Territory admit others than natveborn citizens to
the right of suffrage or Of holding political office unless
such shall have been naturazed according the
laws of the United States.
Nnth-A change in the laws of naturalization, making
continued residence of wentyone years. of all not here
tofore provided for indispensable requisite for citizen
ship hereafter and excluding all paupers and persons
convicted OF crime from landing upon shores but
interference with the vested rights of foreigners.
Ienth.-OppOSltlOn to between Church and
Stae interference with religious faith worship and
no test oaths 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 unctonaries and strict
economy in public expenditures.
Tweh.-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
ment of national affairs and especially shown
in removing Americans by desgnation) and conserva-
tives in principle from office, and placing foreigners and
utrasts in their places shown in trucking subser
vency to the stronger and an nsolent and cowardly
bravado towards the weaker powers shown in reopen
ing sectional agitation by the repeal of the Missouri Com
promise; as shown in granting to unnauralzed foreign
the right suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska shown
in its vasciating course the Kansas and Nebraska
question: as shown in the removal of Judge Bronson from
the Coectorshp OF New York upon false and untenabe
grounds as shown in the corruptons which pervade
of the Departments of the Government shown dis
gracng meritorous naval officers through prejudice or
caprce and as shown In the blunderng mismanagement
of our foreign relations.
Fourteenth h.-Therefore to remedy existing evils and
prevent the disastrous otherwise resulting
therefrom would build up the "American party upon
the principles hereinbefore stated eschewng all sectional
questions and uniting upon those purely national and
admitting into said party all American citizens reerred
to in the 3d. 4th and 9TH sections who openly the
principles and opinions heretofore expressed and who will
subscribe their names to this platform Provided
theess, that majority of those members present at 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
FifteenthA free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in cur platform