American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-06-14
AMERICAN PLATFORM

lst. An humble acknowledgment, to the
Supreme Being who rules the universe, for
his protecting care vouchsafed to our fathers
in their successful Revolutionary struggle,
and hitherto manifested to US, their descend.
ants, in the preservation Of tho liberties, the
independence, and the union of these States.
2d. The perpetuation Of the Federal Union
as the palladium Of our civil aud religious
liberties, and the only sure bulwark of Amer
lean Independence. ...
Sd. AMERICANS MUST RULE AMERICA, and
to this end, naiirc- born citizens should be Sc.
lectcd for all State, Federal, and municipal
offices or government employment, in pref
erenCe to na turalized citizens ncUcrihelcss,
9TH. Persons born OF American parents
residing temporarily abroad, should be enti-
tied to all the rights Of native born citizens !;
but
9th. No person should be selected for po-
litical stations whether Of native or foreign
BIRTH who recognizes any allegiance or ob-
legation Of any description to any foreign
prince, poten,a,e or power, or who refuses
TO recognize the Federal and State constitu-
lions (each within its sphere) as paramount
to all other laws, as rules of political action.
9th. The unqualified recognition and main
tenance of the reserved rights Of the several
States, and The cultivation Of harmony and
fraternal good will, between the citizens of
the several States, and to-this end, non.nter-
ference By Congress with questions apper-
tanning solely to the individual States, and
non intervention By each State with the of.
fairs Of any other State.
9TH. The recognition of the right of the
native born and naturalized citizens of The
United States, permanently residing in any
territory thereof, to frame their constitution
and laws, and to regulate their domestic and
social affairs in their own mode, subject only
10 the provisions of the Federal Constitution,
With the right of admission into the Union
whenever they have The requisite popula.
lion for one Representative in Congress-
Provided. Gilcd1S, that none but those who
are citizens Of the United States, under the
constitution and laws thereof, and who have
n 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.
9Th. An enforcement, OF the principle that
no State or Territory can admit Others than
native bofn citizens to the right of suffrage,
or Of holding political Office, unless such
person shall have been naturalized accord
ing to the laws Of the United States.
9th. A change in the laws Of naturaliza.
ton, making continued residence OF TWEEN
ty-one years, Of all not heretofore provided
for, an indispensable requisite for citizen
ship hereafter, and excluding oil paupers and
persons convicted Of crime. from landing
upon onr shores; but no interference with
the vested rights Of foreigners.
10Th Opposition to any union between
Church and State no interference with re.
ligiou8 faith, or worship, and no test oaths
for Office, except those indicated in the 9th
section of this platform.
1lth. Free and thorough investigation in.
TO any and all alleged abuses Of public func-
tonaries, and strict economy in public ex.
penditures.
12h. Tho maintenance and enforcement,
OF all laws until said laws shall be repealed,
or shall be declared null and void by compe.
tent judicial authority,
18Th. Opposition TO the reckless & unwise
policy Of the present administration in the
general management Of our national affairs,
and more especially as shown in removing
~ mcricans' (by designation and conserva-
tives in principle, from Office, and placing
foreigners and ultraists in their places as
shown in trucking subserviency 10 the
stronger, and an insolcnt and cowardTy bra.
vado towards the weaker powers as shown
in re-opening sectional agitation, by the re-
peal OF the Missouri Compromise as shown
in granting TO unnaturalized foreigners the
right to suffrage in Kansas and Nebraska
as shown in its vascilating course on the
Kansas aud Nebraska question as shown
in the removal of Judge Bronson from the |
CoiIectorship Of New York upon false and
grounds; as shown in the corrup- |
tons which pervade some OF the depart.
ments OF tho government as shown in dis. |
grazing meritorious naval officers through |
prejudice or caprice and as shown in he |
Encouragement Of our foreign |
relations.
18th. Therefore, TO remedy existing evils |
and prevent the disastrous consequences
otherwise resulting tbercfrom, we would |
build up the american party" upon the
principles hereinbefore stated, eschewing all
sectional questions, and uniting upon those