The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1857-01-10
THE AMERICAN NATIO, " PLATFORM.

7. An humble acknowledr emit to the Supreme
Being who rules the Univ 4 for His protecting
care, vouchsafed to our fat rs in their successful
revolutionary struggle, and hitherto manifested to
us, their descendants, in the preservation Of the lib
critics, the independence and the union of these States
II. The perpetuation of the Federal Union as the
palladium Of our civil and religious liberties, and the
onlysure bnlwark of American independence.
III. americans must rule America; and to this end
natice born citizens should be selected for all State,
Federal and Municipal offices or Government en-
ployment, in preference to naturalized citizens net.
erhecSs.
". Persons borr, of American parents residing
Temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the rights
of native born citizens; but
V. No person should be selected for political ste
ton, (whether of native or foreign birth } WHO reco..
nizcs any allegiance or obligation of any description
to any foreign prince, p~otentate or power, or who
refuses to recognize the Federal and State Constitr-
tons (each within its sphere) as paramount to all
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 traternal goud will he
tween the citizens of the several e~'r-es; and to this
end, non-interfcrence by Cong 81 with questions
appertaining solely to the individual states, and
non-intcryention by each State with the affairs Of any
otLer ,se.te.
VII. The recogn..2n Of the .@rte''t Z the native
born aud n%aturaliza United ststcs
permanently residing III afS> .Fs cory therey.I, TO
frame their Constitution and laws, and to regulate
their domestic and social %atfairs, in their own mode,
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 one
Representative III Congress; Prouiifd a!,euys, that
none but those who are citizens of the United States,
under the Constitution aud laws thereof, and who
have a 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,
VIII, An enforcement of the principle that no
State or Territory can admit Others than native born
citizens to the right of suffrage, or of holding politi-
cal Office. unless such persons shall have been uatu.
rallied according to the laws of the United States.
TX. A chansein the laws of naturalization, making
a continued residence of twenty.one years, of all not
heretofore provided for, an indispensable requisite
for citizenship hereafter, and excluding all palpets.
and persons convicted Of crime, from landing upon
our shores but no Interference with the vested
rights of foreigners. !
\. Opposition to any union between Church and
state; no interference withrcligious faith or worship,
and no test oatlls for Office, except those indicated in
the fifth section of this platform.
Xl. Free and thorough investigation into any and
all alleged abuses of public innctionaries, and a strict
economy in public expenditures.
XII: The maintenance and enforcement of all laws
until said laws shall be repealed, or shall be declared
null and void by competent judicial authority.
ALI. Opposition to the reckless and unwise policy
Of the present Administration in the general manage
ment Of our national affairs, and more. especially as
SHOWN III TelHoFlnS 4ttleflcAiS " (hy desigDatiOnl
and Conservative in principle from Office, and placing
foreigners and ulp.aists in their places; as shown in
4 trucking subservienoy to the stronger, aid an in
'olent and cowardly bYayad1 towards the weaker
as shown in reopening sectional agitation,
by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; as shown
IN granting TO unnatnralized foreigners the right to
in Kansas and Nebraska; as shown In its
facilitating course on the Kansas and Nebraslss Dues
lon; as shown in the removal of Judge Bronson from
ne Collectorship of NewGork upon false and untcn-
lble grounds; as shown in disgracing meritorious
laval officers through prejudice or caprice; and as
.hown in the laundering mismanagcment of our for
relations.
MY. Therefore, to remedy existing evils, and pre-
,eht the disastrous consequences otherwise resulting
we would build up the American Party
.lp1on the principles hereinbefore stated, eschswins
I'll sectional questions, and uniting those purely ma.
ional, and admitting into said party all American
'ltizens (referred to in the third, fourth and fifth
who openly avow the principles and onins
ohs heretofore expressed, and who will subscribe
heir names to this platform; Provided, nevertheless
hat a majority of those members present al any
meeting OF II local council where mn applicant applics
on membership in the American Party, may, for anv
ea5,on by them deemed sufficient, deny admission to
ueh applicant.
Ky. A free and open discussion of all political
principles embraced III our platform.