Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-10-11
Platform of the Amcrican Party, adopted
at the session OF tho National Council
Fehru0rv II ~. Ia6G. ~ I'll - M# ss c.lsk

Platform Of the Amcrican Party, sdoptosa
at the session OF tho National Councity
February 2Ist, 1856. ~
ist. An humble acknowledgment 70 the Su-
preme Being for His protecting care vouchsafed
20 our fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to Us, their de-
scendants, in the preservation of tbs liberties, the
independence, and the union Of these States
I'd. The perpetaation Of the Federal Union, ss
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties,
and the only sure bulwark Of American Indspcn-
dence ~ .sA l-ata fsfii ~ FtJ.n8 43 IL
Sd. Americana must rule Ars<rioa, and TO this
end uatsve-born citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal, and municipal Offices government
employment, in preference 70 all others !; never
theless aaff .ts sstet X fg 81
4th. Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled TO all the
rights of natiye-born 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-
scrption TO any foreign prince potentate or power,
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions teach within lis sphero) paramount
tn all other laws, as rules Of political action.
9Th. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
ntnce Of the reserved rights Of the several States
and the cultivation Of harmony and frsternal good
witt between the citizens Of the several States and
to this end, onon-interference by Congress with
quesstons sppertaining solely to the individual
STATES, and non-intervention by each State with
the affairs Of any other State.
tTth The recognition of the right of the native
DO 10 and naturalzed citizens of the United States
PEI manenty residing In any Territory thereof, 10
fra 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-
stitution, with the privilege of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popua-
ticn fot one Representative in Congress, Provsded
Glaoays, that none but those who are citizens OF
the United States, un ter the constitution and laws
thereof, and who have a fixed residence In any
such Territory, ought to participate in the forms-
tion OF the constitution, or In the enactment OF
laws TOR said Territory or 81 ate
sth. An enforcement Of fhe principle that no
State or Territory ough TO ad.nt Others than citi-
zens OF the United States to the right OF suffrage,
or of holding political office aq 4la
9th. A change In the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty-one years.
ofal not hereinbefore provided for indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter and excnding all
paupers, and persons convicted of crime, from land
ing upon our shores; but no interference with the
vested rights of foreigners &&sr.
10th. Opposition to any union between Church
and State; no interference with religious taith cr
worship, and no test oaths for office. Aai -t
nth. Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public fm7ctonaries, and
Strlcb eSoHoiiiy III puDUc expenditures a<t. .-r j
18th. The maintenance and enforcement OF all
laws constitutonally enacted, until said laws shall
be repealed, or shall be declared null and void 10y
competent judicial suthority.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwise
policy OF the presept administration In the general
management of Our national affairs and more es-
peclnlly as shown in removing Americana lby
designanonl and conservatives in principle, from
Office and placing foreigners and ultraists In their
paces as shown in trucking subserviency to
the stronger, and an inseent and cowardly brasva-
do towards the weaker powers as shown in e.
opening sectional agitation, by the repeal OF th
Missouri Compromise; as shown in granting to un
natnralized foreigners the right of suffrage in Kan
sas and Nebraska as shown in its vacating 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
gracing meritorious naval officers through preiu-
dice or caprice and as shown in the bhanderng
mismanagement of our foreign relations.
l4th. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
sulting therefroni, would build up the g 'Ameri
caR party" upon the principles hereinbefore stated
10Th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rity TO amend their several constitutions so as TO
abolish the several degrees. and institute pledge
Of honor, Instead Of other obligations for fellow
ship and admi sion into the party. &
10th. free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced.in our PLATFORM @ @