Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-09-02
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council
February 81, 1856


Ist An humble Acknowledgement the spteme Being foT
his protecting vouchsafed fathers their
fu Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested to
their descendants in the preservation o the liberties, the
independence, and the union Of these States
"a perpe.uation Of the Federal Unon the palls-
dium Of civil and religious liberties, and the only sure
kuivsrk Of American Independence.
Sd Americdns rsle Anlerca and to this end, Hd
osborn citizens should for s State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment in preference
20 all others nevertheless,
4th Of American parents residing tempOra-
ry abroad should be entitled to all rights Of
citizens but,
5th No person should be selected for political station
whether Of native foreign brh) who recognises ale
glance obligation Of any description to foreign prince
posnaie power who refuses to recognise the Federal
AMI State Constitutions leach within its sphere as paramount
10 all other laws, as rules Of political action.
9Th The unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights Of several States and the cultivation q
harmony aterna good will between the citizens OF the
several States and this end nonntererence by Congress
with questions sppertanng solely the individual States
and non-nterventOn by each State with the affairs 0 any
other State.
1th The recognition Of the right OF the nativebOrn and
nauraEed Of the United States permanently resd
ing in any Territory thereof frame their constitution and
laws regulate their domestic and social affairs in their
own mode subject only the provisions Of the Federal
Constitution with the privilege Of admission into the Union
whenever they the requisite population for Repre-
sentative in Congress ProUied 0cdys, that but
thoe who are citizens Of the United States under the
stituon and thereof and who have fixed residence in
any such Territory ought participate the formation Of
the constitution in the enactment Of laws for said Terri
tory State.
sh An enforcement Of the principle that no State or Ter
ritory ought to admit others than citizens Of the United
States to the right Of suffrage holding political Office.
9th change in tie laws Of naturalization making
tnued residence twenyone years. Of all not herenbeore
provided for an ndspens BILE requisite for citizenship here
after excluding all panpers and persons convicted
crime from landing upon shores but interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
10Th Opposition any union between Church and State
interference with religious faith or worship and no test
oaths for Office.
lth Free and thorough investigation into any and all al
ledged abuses 81 public functonaes ana str CT economy
In public expenditures
18th The maintenance and enforcement of all laws con-
stutionay enacted, until said laws shall DE rep aled
shall be declared null and void BY competent Judicial au-
thOrity.
18th Opposition to the reckless and uuwse policy Of the
present administration in the general management OF our
nation affairs, and especially shown in removing
Americans" (by designation, and conservatives In prnc-
pie Office and placing foreigners and ultras in their
places shown in trucking suberyency 10 the stronger
aud an and coWardy brayadO towards the weaker
powers; shown in reopenng sectional agitation, by the
repeal Of the Missouri Compromise; shown in granting TO
unnaurazed foreigners Of suffrage in Kansas AMI
Nebraska shown its vasclatng the Kansas
and Nebraska question: shown in ths oorrup0ns which
peryade some departments Of the Government;
shown dsgracing mertorious naval officers through pre-
judice caprice and shown In the bunderng misan-
Agement Of foreign re atiOns.
I4h Therefore remedy existing evils and prevent the
disastrous consequences otherwise resulting thereom we
would build the American Party upon the principles
herenbefOre stated.
18TH That each Council shall have authority 10
several constitutions TO abolish the several
Degrees and institute pledge Of honor instead of other
obligations for fell wshp and admission into the party.
10th free open discussion Of all political principles
embraced in plSnOrm.