Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-18
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council,
FehruirY q. 1856


st An humble acknowledgement to the Supreme Being fol
his protecting voucsaed fathers in their
full Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested 70 us
their descendauts IN the preservation Of the liberties, h'
independence, and the union Of these States.
Cd The perpetuston Of the Federal Union the pAla
dun Of our civil and religious liberties and the only sure
bulwark Ct American Independence.
Sd Americans must rule America and to this end,
Ueborn citizens should selected for all State Federal and
naclpal Offices government employment in preferences
10 all others: nevertheless, e..-
4th Persons Of American parents residing Temporal
ry abroad should be entitled TO all the rights Of native born
citizens; but,
9Th No person should be selected for political station,
(whether Of native foreign b who recognises ale
glance obligation Of any description to any foreign prince
potenste power who refuses to recognise the Federal
constitutions leach within its pher) paramount
to all other laws as rules Of political action
9Th Tho unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights Of the several States and the cultivation q
harmony fraternai good win between the citizens Of the
States and this end nOn-ineeence by Congress
with questions appertaning solely 10 the individual States
by each State with the Affairs q any
other State.
7th The recognition Of the right Of the natiYs.bO and
naturazed citizens Of the United States permanently resd
ing any Territory thereof their constitution and
laws and TO reguate their domestic and social affairs in their
mode, subject only to the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution the privilege Of admission into the Onion
whenever they have the requisite population for Repre-
sentative In Congress Prouided dI'odys that but
tho who are citizens Of the United States the
stuon and laws thereof and who have fixed residence In
any such Territory ought participate in the formation Of
the constitution Of for said Terri
tory State
sth An enforcement he principle that State Ter
ritory ought 10 admit others citizens OF the United
States right Of suffrage Of holding political office
9Th A change in q laws Of naturalization, making
nued residence Of twenyone years Of all not herenbefOre
provided for indpens be requisite for citizenship here
after, and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime landing npon shores but no nterfsrence
with the vested rights OF foreigners.
10th Opposition to any union Church and State
interference with religious faith worship and no test
Oaths for office.
1lth Free and thorough investigation into any and al al
ledged abuses Of public unctonaes and str ct economy
in public expenditures.
10th The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
sutionauy enacted, until said laws shall be repealed or
shall be declared null and void by competent Judicial au-
thorty.
18th Opposition 10 the reckless and unwe policy the
present administration the general management Of our
nation Il affairs, aud more especially shown In removing
Americans" 10y designqton and conservatives in pnci
pie Office aud placing foreigners and ultras in their
places truckng subServency TO the stronger,
and an nsoent and cowardly bravado towards
powers AS shown reopening sectional agitation, by the
the ssOud Compromise; shown in granting TO
foreigners the right of suffrage in Kansas
Nebraska; as vasclang the Kansas
Nebraska question: shown in the cOrruptOns which
pervade Of the departments Of the Government a.
shown dsgracng meritorous naval officers through
JUDGE CAPRICE and sh in the bunieng misman-
agement of our foreign re atiOns
4h Therefore remedy existing evils. and prevent the
disastrous otherwise resulting therefrom
would build up the american Party upon the principles
hereinbefOre stated.
18th That each State Council shall have authority to
their tutons abolish the several
degrees and institute pledge Of honor, instead OF other
obligations for fell wship and admission into the party
10th free ope discussion OF all Hcal principles
embraced Ia platform.