Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-20
PLATFORM OF THE AMERICAN PARTY,
Adopted at the Session Of the National Council
Febru7ry 81, 1856.

lat An humble acknowledgement the Supreme Being for
protecting vouchsafed fathers in their success
fu Revolutionary struggle and hitherto manifested TO us
their descendant in the preservation Of the liberties the
Independence and the union Of these States.
I'd The perpetuaton Of the Federal Unon as the pala-
um Of civil and religious liberties, and the only sure
buiwark Of American Independence.
Sd Americana rt rule AB1eyioa aud 70 this end,
torn citizens should selected for all State Federal and
municipal Offices government employment in preference
70 all others nevertheless,
4h Persons Of American parents residing Temporal
ry abroad should be entitled to all the rights Of natvebOrn
citizens; but,
5th No person should be selected for political station,
whether Of native foreign BIRTH who recognises ale
glance obligation Of any description to foreign prince
poentae or power who refuses recognise the Federal
ami State Constitutions leach within its spherel paramount
to all other laws, rules Of political action.
9Th The unqualified recognition and maintenance Of the
reserved rights the several States and the cultivation of
harmony and atena good the citizens Of the
States this end nonnteerence by Congress
with questions appertanng solely the individual States
and nOnntervention by each State with the Affairs q
other State.
7th The recognition Of the right Of the natvebOrn and
naturazed citizens 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 to the provisions Of the Federal
whenever they the requisite population for Repre-
sentative in Congress ProUde1 0oGys, that but
those who Of the United States under the con-
sttuton thereof and vino have xed residence in
any such Territory, ought participate in the formation Of
constitution the enactment Of laws for said Terri
tory state.
sh An enforcement Of the principle that State Ter
tory ought 20 admit than citizens Of the United
States to the right suffrage OF holding political Office
9th change in tSe laws naturalization, making
nued residence twentyone years. Of all not herenbefore
provided for ndpens be requisite for citizenship here
after and excluding paupers and persons convicted
crime, from landing upon shores but no Interference
with the vested rights Of foreigners.
10th Opposition any union between Church and State;
interference with religious faith worship, and no test
oaths for Office
11h Free and thorough investigation into any and all al
ledged abuses public functiOnaes and strict economy
in public expenditures
18th The maintenance and enforcement Of all laws
sttuonay enacted until said laws shall be repealed,
shall be declared null and void By competent judicial au
thority
18th Opposition to the reckless and unwise 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, from Office aud placing foreigners and utrasts in their
places a trucking subseviency 20 the stronger,
and noent and cowardy bravado towards the weaker
powers; shown in reopening sectional agitation by the
repeal Of the Missouri Compromise; az shown IN granting 70
unnaturazed foreigners the right Of suffrage in Kansas and
Nebraska shown in its vascatng course on the Kansas
and Nebraska question: shown in the corruptons which
pervade the departments Of the Government;
shown in dgracng meritorous naval officers through pre-
udice caprice and shown in the laundering msmAn-
sgement Of foreign atiOns.
14h Therefore remedy existing evils, and prevent the
disastrous cOnednences otherwise resulting herefrom
would build up the American Party" upon the principles
herenbefore stated
18TH That each State Council shall have authority to
constitutions 20 abolish the several
degess and institute pledge Of honor, instead Of other
obligations for fell wshp and admission into the party
10th free and open discussion Of all Political principles
embraced 10 our platform.