The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1857-02-21
THE AllERlClN NATIONAL PLATFORM.

LA humble acknowledgement to the Supreme
Being who rules the Universe for Ills protecting
care, NpuchaAfed to orr ftthers in their successful
revolutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested to
us, their descendants, in the preservation of fhe lib
critics, the independence and the union of these States
II. The perpetuation of the Federal Union as the
palladium of pur civil aud religions liberties, and the
only sure buiwark OF American Independence.
Ill. daeiieans snust tule America; and to this end
naiire born citizens should he selected for ali State,
Federal and Municipal Offices or Government cmt
ploynent, iu preference to naturalized ~eitixcas nep-
eftAeess.
". Persons born of American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitIedto all therigllts
OF native born citizens; hut 3 f@
v. No person should he selected for political sta.
ton, (Whether of native or foreign birth J whuFeeee-
ni&es any allegiance or obligation of any desGiipti6n
to any foreign prince, pptciitate or power, or who
refuses to 4~eeognlze the Federal and State Constitu-
tioiis (each within its sphere) as paramount totall
other laws AS rules of political action.
vi. The unqualified recognition and maintenance
Of the reserved rights of the several States. and the
cultivation OF harmony and l~ratartai good will be
tween the citizens of tile several States; and to this
end, non-iuterterence by Congress with questions
hoiihterVehlion by each State with the ~afairstQi any
other State.
VI. Inc recognition Of the right of the native
born and natnralized citizens of the United States,
permanently residing i'll any Territory thereof. 10,
frame their Constitution and laws, and to regulate
their domestic and social ailaiis,ia their own Inple.
subject only to the provisions Of the Federal Consti.
tuition, With the right of admission into the Union
whenever they have the requisite population for on,
representative in Congress; Proride@ al,caps that
none bnt those-whn are citizens of the United STATES
under the Constitution and laws thereof, and who
nave 4 liked residence in any such Territory. ourbt
to particilatein the formation Of tI,e Constitution or
m the enactment of laws for said Territory or State.
WIZ. IN enforcement of the principle that no
ISTItr N 7 1tJ1 an admit ,t1,ov.+ ~ ,
citizens to the right of suffrage, or of boIdino noliti.
eal once. unless such persons shall have been nat,,-
rnlized according to the laws of the United States.
iA. \ chanseint laws Of naturalization making
continued residence Of twenty-one years, nf an not
heretofore provided for, an indispprsalla rpanisita
for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all nan,,ers
and persons convicted of crime, from landinr r,,a,l
our shores but no interference with tho velfal
rights Of foreiglers. '
X. Opposition to any union between Churei, ana
atate; no interference With religious faith or worsbip.
and no test oaths for Office, except those indicated l..
the fifth section of this platform. "
~; Free and thorough Investigation into auy and
ali aleged abuses OF public tunctinnaries, and n stt5et
eoonntny in public expenditures. ~
MI. The maintenance and enforcement of an ,,.,
Nhil | sad laws sit4lll he repealed. or shall he aceJa,fa
null ana You'd hy competent Judicial authority.
NIL Opposition to the reckless and nnwise ,,ol;c,,
~ We present Atrlmrstlation iitthe general rsnarf.
htHit el our national affairs, and More espaciaiIv nc
SasE1i III fa1iipSittg Americans f thy desiqn,tianA
ana conservatives in principle from office. and Ilneinnr
Foreigners and ~litFaists in their places; as slinwn *
4 iIutAalnS sqhsefNleliey to tile stronger. and an in.
soIent and oowardly trayado towards tn. Yyea3 a ts
peWersi as shown in rcopening sectional ositation
~ me repeal al the Missouri Cnmprcz.ffsa. rs SIiaIr,,
IN granting % Nnnaturalized foreigners the right ta
sHna5 MI "a Kansas ana Nebraska: rs shown in it's
Yaciiatins course ON the Kansas and NebIs,sEs ,n y
llen; as shown III the removal of Judge Bronsnn ff.an,
tte toiieetefstiip of SewfGrk upon false aud nnton
a.Ie 9r11nliHs' aS shown IN aiSgracing nelitoIin,I-