The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-15
PLATFORm

OF tic Ameican Party, adopted at the session of tIs
National C0u,aca1 June 9, 1857
LIST. An humble acknowledgement to the Su-
preme Being, for His protecting care vouchsafed
10 our fathers In their successful Revolutionary
struggle, and hitherto manifested to US their de-
ecendants, IN the preservation of the liberties the
Independence, and the union Of these States
I'd. The perpetuation of the Federal Union, as
ne palladium of our civil and religious liberties,
and the only sure bulwark Of American Indepen-
dence. ENa sAH g84 N-
Sd. Americans must rule AmSrica, and to this
end natsveborn citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal, and municipal offices or govern
ment employment. in preference to all others:
nevertheless, hbe e5ssI iaG,ssg, ,e
4th. Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the
rights of native-borp citizens but
9th. No person should be selected for political
station, whether of native or foreign birth, who
recognises any allegiance or obligation of any de-
scrption to any foreign prince, potentate power
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions each within it's sphere as paramount
to all other laws, as rules of political action.
9th The unqualified recognition and mainte-
pance ofthe reserved rights of the several States
and the cultivation Of harmony and fraternal good
will between the citizens of the several States, and
10 this end, non-interference by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the individual
ctates, ana nOn-lnterventlOn Dy each State with
the affairs of any other State.
7th. The recognition Of tho rightof the native
born and naturaized citizens OF the United States
permanently residing In any Territory the aeof to
frame their constitution and laws, and to r gulate
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 popula-
tion for one Representative In Congress. Provided
0Is0ays, that none but those who are citizens of
the United States under the constitution and laws
thereof, and who have fxed 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. ,
9th. An enforcement of the principle that no
State Territory ought to admit others than cit-
zens of the United States to the right of suffrage
or Of holding political Office a,s. y.
9th. change in the laws OF naturalization,
making a continued residence oftw n.g one years,
of all net hereinbefore provided for, n indspen-
sable requisite for citizenship hereafter, and ex-
cludng all paupers and persons convicted Of crime
from landing upon orr shores but no interference
with the vested rights of foreigners.
10th. Opposition to any union between Church
and State no interference with religious faith, or
worship, and no test oaths for Office.
1lth. Free and thorough Investigation into any
and all alleged abuses of public functionaries, and
a strict economy in public expenditures.
18th The maintenance and enforcement of all
laws consttutionally enacted, until said laws shall
be repealed or shall be declared null and void by
competent judicial authority.
18TH A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced in our platform.