Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-06-24

Being, for His protecting care vouchsaed to our fa
theirs in their successful Revolutionary struggle and
hitherto manifested to us, their drscrndants in the
preservation Of the liberties, the independence, and
| the Union of there States.
ID. The perpeluatiun of the Federal Union IA the
palladium OF civil and religious liberties and the
only sure buwark of American Independence.
Sd. Aner9cans must ru|e .imsrica and 10 this end
natiue- born citizens should be selected for all State
Federal and municipal offices or government employ
men in preference 10 all others; nevertheless,
18th Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the rights
OF native born citizens; but
5th. No person should bc selected for political sta
tiOn WHETHER Of native foreign birth,) who recog
nizes any allegiance or obligation of any description
to any foreign prince potcntae or power; or who re.
fuses to recognize the Federal and State constitutions
each within its sphere) as paramount 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 harmony and traernal good will, bs.
tween the citizens of the several States, and 10 this
end, noii-ineference by Congress with questions ap-
pertaining solely to the individual States, and nom
| intervention by each State WITH the affairs Of any
other State.
7th The recognition of the right of the native born
and naturallzed ctizens of the United States perna
neny residing IN any territory thereof to frame their
constitution and laws and TO regulate their domestic
and social affairs in thsir mode, subject only to
the provisions of the Federal Constitution, with the
privilege Of admission intn the Union, whenever they
have the requisite population for one Representative
! IN Congress. Fr0r'ded dlpays, that none but those
who are citizens OF the United States, under the
stution and laws thereof, and who have fxeo re9i
dence i'll any such Territory, ought to participate III
the formation Of the constitution, or in the enactment
OF laws for said Territory or State.
Stl. An enforcement of the principle that State
Territory ought ~ admit others than cZeus of the
United States to the right Of suffrage, or of holding
political Office.
9th. A change in the laws of naturalization, ma
king continued residence Of twenty years, OF
all not hereinbefore provided for, All Indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter and excluding all
pnupers and persons convicted of crime, from land
ing upon our shores; but interference with the
vested rights of Foreigners.
10Th. Opposition 10 any union between Church
and State; no interference with religious iah or
worship, and no test ouths for office.
liih Free and thorough investigation into any and
all alleged abuses Uf public tunctlonares and strict
! econnny i'll public expenditures.
l2h The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
cnnstiIutiOnally enacted, until said laws shall be
pcaed, or shall be declared null and void by compe-
| tent judicial authority.
l1lh. Opposition to the reckless and unwise policy
Of the present administration in the general manage
ment ot our national affairs, and mUre especially rs
shown in removing "Amercans' tby deslgnaton)
and conservatives IN principle, from office, and pa
cling Foreigners and ultraiss in their places as shown
i'll trucking subserviency to the stronger, aud an
lnsulent and cowardy bravadO towards the weaker
powers as shown in re opening sectional agitation,
by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; shown
in granting to unnaturaiz-d Foreigners the right oi
| suffrage in Kansas aud Nebraska shown in its
vasciatng course on the Kansas aud Nebraska ques.
ton; shown in the corruptious which pervade s"ne
of the departments Of The government; ns shown III
disgrscug meritorious naval officers through pre-
d'ce OF caprce and as shown in the blunder,ng mis-
management of our foreign relations.
lith. Therefore, to reIneiy existing evils, and pre-
therefrom, we would build up the American party
upon the principles hereinbetnre stated.
18th That each State Council shall have authority
to amend their several constitutions TO abolish
the several decrees aud institute plsdge Of honnr,
instead of other obligations for fellowship and admis
sion into the party.
10th. a free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform.