San Andreas independent., 1857-08-08
poIltlfal n otifes.
Platform of the American Party in Cali
fOrnia.

fornia
The American State Convention at their
meeting, July the Goth, at Sacramento adopt
| their party
l. Resolred, That we cordially indorsc the
platform of principles adopted by the National
American Convention at Louisville KY, on the
4th day of June, 1857.
2. Resotred, That we have an abiding faith
in the truth of our political creed and that we
will struggle in the future, as we have strug-
gled in the past, to engraft the policy of our
party upon the legislation of the country.
3. Resolued, That we still hold to the funda-
mental principle of our party, that " Americans
shall rule America" and that our naturaliza-
ton laws should be so amended as to insure.
on the part of the applicant, a just appreciation
of the rights and duties of an American citizen.
L. ResotUed, That the American party is in
no way responsible for the recent intense ex-
element of national issues; and that a restora-
ton OF the brotherly feelings that should actu-
ate one great national people, can only be ac-
complished by the permanent success of the
National american Party.
5. Resotyed, That the main objects of the
American party being to promote American
interests, and to cherish American nationality,
the construction of Pacific railroad-thuS
bringing the extreme portions of the country
into close contact and promoting the welfare of
all-would be q natural and certain conse-
quence of the triumph of the American party.
6. Resoiued, That the American party of Cal
ifornia acknowledge it as a duty paramount
above all others of a local character, to protect
Settlers upon Spanish grants in their just rights
and claims. We believe that laws designed to
protect the bona .Gde Settler in his improve
ments arc not only absolutely necessary in or
der TO insure confidence and prosperity and to
encourage agriculture and trade, but are also
constitutional and just. The wants of the peo-
pie require and equity and good conscience de-
mand such laws, and while the past history
and recent actions Of the Democratic party in
this State exhibit record of broken faith, we
refer for the sincerity of our professions to our
past efforts in this behalf, and to the character
of the men whom we present for the suffrages
of the people.
Z Resoloed, That we consider it our duty to
recommend to the electors of this State to vote
in favor of paying the State debt that while
We have the utmost abhOrrence for the party
corruptions which saddled this onerous burden
upon us, we yet would find it still more griev-
ous to bear the load of obloquy and shame
which reputation of the claims of innocent
creditors would earn for us and our posterity.
s. Resoi0ed, That the Democratic party of
California is responsible for the long course of
improvident legislation and official corruption
which has finally brought the State to the verge
of bankruptcy, and is not st longer to be in
power.
0. Resolred, That the American party of Call
itornia, during its partial success in 1856, did
more, by way of legislation, for the protection
of the State from corrupt officials, than the De-
mocratic party has done during all the years
Of its misrule; and that the recent discovery of
official unworthiness has been the result Of
stringent laws passed by an American Legisla-
ture.
10. Resolred, That we will use every possible
effort to secure none but honest men for office,
and the fact that we have, in some instances,
been deceived, will only make the more yig
liant in this behalf hereafter
IL. ResoLred, That while the salaries and
fees of some Offices, both county and State, are
sufficiently low, yet in many instances they are
so extravagant as to amount to heavy burden
upon the people, and we pledge the influence of
the American party to effect still further reduc
tions in the fees of Office, with view of max
ing such offices less desirable to the incumbents
thereof, and of removing motives for corruption
in obtaining them.