Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-15
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council,
February 81, 1855

it An humble the supreme Being for
his proecngcare vouchsaied fathers in their success
fu Revolutionary struggle hitherto manifested TO Us,
their descendants in the preservation Of the liberties, the
independence, and the union Of these States.
Cd The perpetuaton Of the Federal Union the pala
dum Of civil and religious liberties, and the only
bulwark Of American independence
30 Ane,ieqHs NUT rule Aateica, and to this end,
0ebon citizens should be selected for all State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment, in preference
p 70 all others nevertheless,
4th Persons born Of American parents residing Temporal
ry abroad should be entitled all the rights
citizens; but,
9Th No person should be selected for political station,
(hether Of native foreign BIRTH recognises any
glance obligation Of any description any foreign prince,
potentae power who refuses recognise the Federal
State Constitutions leach within its here paramount
TO all other laws, rules Of political action.
9th TIE unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights Of the several States and the cultivation Of
harmony and faterna good win between the citizens Of the
several States and this end nonnererenee by Congress
with questions appertaning solely the individual States
and nOn-ntervenon by each State with the affairs any
other State
9Th The recognition Of the right Of the naye-bon and
naturazed United permanently
ing any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws snd 70 regulate their domestic social affairs in their
mode, subject only to the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution, with the privilege Of admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite population for Repre-
sentative Congress ProUided GI,Cdy that but
tho who are citizens Of United States under the
stution and laws thereof have fixed residence in
any such Territory ought participate formation Of
the constitution the Of for said Terri
tory or State.
Sh. An enforcement Of the principle that Ter
rory ought TO admit citizens United
States the right Ct suffrage Of holding political Office
9th. A change in T. laws Of naturalization making
tnued residence Of wenyone years Of all herenbeore
provided for ndspens bic requisite for citizenship
after, and excluding all paupers and persons convicted
crime, from landing upon shores but interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners
10h. Opposition TO any union between Church and State;
no Interference with religious faith or worship and no test
oaths for office.
11h rec and thorough investigation into any and 40 al
ledgei abuses Of public functonare and str ct economy
in public expenditures
18th The maintenance aud enforcement Of all laws
sauonay enacted, until said laws shall be repealed,
shall be declared null and void by competent Judicial
thority.
18th Opposition the reckless and unwise policy Of the
present administration in the general management OF
national affairs, and more especially shown in removing
Am rican," (by designation and conservative in prnci
pie from Office placing foreigners aud uraists their
places shown trucking subservency 10 the stronger,
and nsoent and cowardv bravado towards
powers shown in reopeuug sectional agitation, by the
repeal Of the Compromises granting
unuarazed foreigners the right Of suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska; shown in It's vascatng the Kansas
and Nebraska question: shown in the corrupon which
pervade Of the departments of the Government;
shown in gracng mertoriUus naval officers through pre-
judice caprice; and shown IN the buniering msman
agement Of our foreign re atiOns.
14h. Therefore TO remedy existing evils and prevent the
disastrous otherwise resulting therefrom,
would build up the American Party upon the principles
herel before stated
i5h. That each State Council shall have authority to
amend their several constitutions abolish the several
degrees, and institute pledge Of honor instead Of other
obligations Tor zen wshp and admission into the party.
16 free and open discussion Of all p-itica principles
embraced h platform.