Daily American organ., 1856-04-19
WASHINGTON D. c. SATURDAY AFTERNOON. April, 49, 1856
Platform OF the American Party, adopted
at the session OF the National Council,
February 2Ist, 1856. hafl ,gRs saBN

II
at the session OF the National Council,
February 2lst, 1856. haHf4 ,Isus snsM
lst An humble acknowledgement to the Su-
preme Being, for His protecting care vouchsafed
to our fathers in their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to us, their de-
scendants, in the preservation of the liberties the
independence, and the union of these States N
I'd. The perpetuation of the Federal Union, as
the palladium of our civil and religious liberties
and the only sure bulwark Of American Indepen-
dence.
Sd. An,eyica,.s must rule An.erica, and to this
end, ative-born citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal, and municipal Offices orgovernment
employment, in preference to all others never
theless,
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the
rights Of natiye-born citizens; but 81
9TH No person should be selected for political
station, whether Of native or foreign birth, who
recognises any allegiance or obligation of any de-
scrpton to any foreign prince, potentate or power
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions leach within its sphere) as paramount
to all other laws, as rules Of political action.
9th. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
nance 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-interference by Congress with
| questions appertaining solely to the individual
States, and non-intervcntion by each State with
| the affairs of any other State. 1
7th. The recognition of the right of the native
born and naturalixed 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 to the provisions of the Federal Con-
stitution with the privilege of admission into the
| Union whenever they have the requisite popua-
ton for one Representative in Congress Provided
dloays, that none but those who are citizens OF
the United States, under the constitution and laws
| thereof, and who have fixed residence in any
such Territory ought to participate in the forma-
tiOn OF the constitution, or in the enactment Of
| laws for said Territory or State.
! Sth. An enforcement of the principle that no
State Territory oughs to admit others than citi-
zens Of the United States to the right of suffrage,
or of holding political Office. q. el''.aa
| 9th. A change in the laws of naturalization,
making continued residence of twenty-one years,
ofa not herenbeforc provided for, an indispensable
requisite for citizenship hereafter and excluding all
paupers, and persons convicted Of crime, from land
ing upon our shores but no interference with the
vested rights of foreigners.
10th. Opposition to any union between Church
and State no interference with religious faith, on
worship, and no test oaths for Office.
l1th. Free and thorough investigation into any
and oil alleged abuses of public functionaries and
| StricI economy IN puDnc expenditures.
| 18th. The maintenance and enforcement of all
laws constitutionally enacted, until said laws shall
be repealed, or shall be declared null and void by
competent judicial authority.
18th. Opposition to the reckless and unwise
policy of the present administration in the general
management of our national affairs, and more es-
| pecialy as shown in removing 'sAmericans (by
designation) and conservatives In principle, from
Office and placing foreigners and utraists in their
places as shown in trucking subscrviency to
the stronger, and an insolent and cowardiy brava-
do towards the weaker powers; as shown in re.
opening sectional agitation, by the repeal Of the
Missouri Compromise; as shown in granting to un
naturalized foreigners the right of suffrage ins Kan
sas and Nebraska; as shown in its vacating course
on the Kansas and Nebraska question as shown
in the corruptions which pervade some of the de-
partments of the government; as shown in dis
| gracing meritorious naval officers through preju-
dice or caprice and as shown in the blundering
mismanagement of our foreign relations.
18th Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and
prevent the disastrous consequences otherwise re-
sulting therefrom, we would build up the g Ameri-
can party" upon the principles hereinbefore stated
18th. That each State Council shall have autho-
rity to amend their several constitutions, so as to
abolish the several degrees, and institute pledge
of honor, instead of other obligations for fellow
ship and admission into the party.
18th. "A free and open discussion Of all political
principles embraced in our platform tt Fl
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