Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-04-03
PLATFORM

Cgtas hm~ioaa Party adopted at tie session Of tks
-mo1 NATIONAL 0brnoil Jsn< 3, 1857. b
LIST. An humble Acknowledgements 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-
ccendants in the preservation Of the liberties, the
Independence, and the union Of these States.
2d. The perpetuation Of the Federal Union, as
the palladium Of our civil and religious liberties,
and the only sure bulwark Of American Indepen.
dence. r'j tnjlN -a'..A "i't'AstNI
q Sd. Amsrica.e must ruis Anserioa, and 10 this
end aafve-born citizens should be selected for all
State, Federal and municipal Offices or govern
ineat employment in preference 70 all others I:
4tn. Persons born Of American parents residing
temporarily abroad, should be entitled 10 all the
rights of native-born citizens but e..ltJ
9Th No person should be selected for political
stston, whether Of native or foreign birth, who
recognises any allegiance or obligation Of any de-
scriJton 10 any foreign prince, potentate or power,
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions each within its sphere as paramount
70 all other laws, as rules Of political action
, 9Th. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
nance of the reserved rights Of the several State
and the cultivation Of harmony and fraternL good
will between the citizens of the several States and
10 this end, noninterference by Congress with
questions appcrtaming solely TO the Individual
Etatcs, and non.inservention by each State with
the Affairs OF any other State. Aa.s 30.
,.7th. The recognition of tho i;ghtof the native
horn and naturalizcd citizens OF tho United States,
permanently residing in any Territory the eof, to
irame their constitution and laws, aud 70 egulate
shoir domestic and social sffsrs In their own mode,
subject only TO the provisions Of the Federal Con-
sitntion, with the privilege OF admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula-
ton for one Representative in Congress. Provided
oissUys that none but those who are citizens OF
the United States, under the constitution and laws
thereof, and who have a, fixed residence in any
such Territory, ought to participate in the forma-
ton Of the constitution, or In the enactment oil
laws FOR said Territory OF State. ~
ioasth. An enforcement Of the principle that no
State or Territory ought 10 admit others than citi
xsns Of the United States to the right Of suffrage
or ofboldng political Office. ,,i,,al f,tl .fw
9th, A change In the laws Of naturalization,
making continued residence oitwenty one years,
OF al not hereinbefore provided for, n indispen-
sable requisite for citizenship hereafter, and en-
ciuling IN pacps and persons convicted Of crime
Sr,us handing upon orr shores but no interference
with the vested riglrs of foreigners. e Z q
---leth. Opposition 10 airy union between Church
snd State; no Indifference with religious faith, OF
wa skip, sndrno test cstbs for Office. "A "A
llth, Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses OF public functionares, and
strict economy IN pubic expenditures.
18th. The maintenance and enforcement Of al
laws consh N iopsy enacted, until ssidlsws shal
lie repealed or shall be declared null Ind void BY
competent Judicial authority
ai1stAs Aiffee and orch Discussion Of all politca
prihcipIes embraced IN our platform h'' Nih