Washington telegraph., 1856-06-11
PLATFORM OF RINPCIPLES
AM RIG A n p A r 7 Y :
Adopted at the Session of the National
Council, Feb. 21st, 1856.
OF THE

1st. An humble acknow,ed rment TO the
Supreme Being, for His protecting care
vouchSafad to our fathers in their successful
Revolutionary struggle, and hitherto mani
tested to Us, their descendants in the pre-
servation Of the liberties. the independence,
and the Union of these States
21 The perpetuation Of the Federal
Union. as the palladium of our civil and
religions liberties, and the only sure bui-
wark Of American Independence
Sd. AMERICANS MUST RULE AMERICA.
and to this end, naiire born citizens should
be elected for all State, Federal, and mu-
nicipal offices, or Government employment.
in preference to all others nevertheless,
4th. Persons born of American parents
residing temporarily abroad, should be enti-
tied to all the benefits of native-b born citi-
zens: but
5th. No person should be selected for po-
litical station, (whether of native OF foreign
birth) who recognizes any allegiance or OBJ
legation of any description to any fIreign
prince. pOeutate, or power, o. who refuses
TO recognize the Federal and State Cons;i-
tutions leach within its spheFel as para
mount 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 harmo-
nv and fraternal good will, between the cit
izens of the several States, and to this end.
non-interference by Congress with questions
appertainirg solely to the individual States,
and non-intervention by each State with the
affairs of any other State.
7th The recognition of the right of the
native born and naturalized citizens of the
United States, permanently residing "a any
Territory thereof, to frame their cOnstitu-
tion and law7, and 20 regulate their domes
tic and social affairs in their own mode. sub
Iect only to the provisions of the Federal
Constitution, with the privilege of admission
into the Union when they have the requi-
site population for one Representative in
Congress. PTouided aLt0Gys, that none
but those who arc citizens of the United
States, under the constitution and laws
thereof, and who have a fixed residence in
any such Territory, ought to participate in
the formation of the Constitution. or in
the enactment of laws for said Territory or
State
Sth. An enforcement of the principle that
no State or Territory ought to admit others
than citizens OF the United States to the
right of suffrage. or Of holding political of
fee.
9th. A change in the laws of na.uraliza-
ton, making continued resijence of txen-
ty-one years. of all not hereinbeforc provi
ded for, ali indispensable requisite for citi-
zenship hereafter, and excluding all pau
pers and persons convicted of crime from
landing upon our shores but no interfer-
ence with the vested rights of foreigners
10Th Opposition to any union between
Church and State; no interference with re-
ligious faith or worship, and no tests
for office. except those indicated in the 9Th
section of this platform
f1th- Free and thorough investigation
into any and AL alleged abuse If public
functlonarles, and strict economy in pub
lie expenditures.
18th. The maintenance and enforcement
of all laws consiitutionally enacted, until
said laws shall be repealed, or shall be Ge-
clared null and void by competent Judicial
authority.
18Th. Opposition TO the reckless and IN
wise policy of the present administration in
the general management of our national af-
fairs, and more especially as shown in re-
moving Americans (by design2tion) and
conservatives in principle, from Office, and
placing foreigners and ultraists in their pla-
ces as shown iu a trucking subserviency
to the stronger, and an iusolent aud coward
II bravado towards the weaker powers Is
shown in re-opening sectional agitation, By
the repeal OF the Missouri Compromise as
shown in granting TO unnaturalized foreign
ers the right Of suffrage in Kansas and Ne
braska as shown in its vaeilIating course
on the Kansas and Nebraska question; as
shown in the corruptions which pervade
some of the departments of the government;
as shown in disgracing meritorious naval
officers through prejudice or caprice: and
as shown In the bluuderng Inismanacement
Of cur foreign relations.
l4;h. Therefore, to remedy existing evils.
and prevent rne disastrous consequences
otherwise resulting therefrorn, we would
build up the american party upon the
prineiples hereinbefo-e stated
18th. That each State Council shall have
authority to amend their several constitu-
tons, so as to abolish the several degrees,
and institute pledge of honor, 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 plat
form.
be Al