Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-02-13
PLATFORM

(r tho American Party, adopted at Me session of s
National Obuacil. June 9, 1857.
-st. An humble acknowledgment 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.
3D. The perpetuation Of the Federal Union. as
the palladium Of our civil and religious liberties
aud the only sure bulwark OF American Indepen.
dence.
Sd. americans must rule America, and to this
end adtive-born citizens should be selected for all
state, Federal, and municipal offices or govern.
me1t employment In preference to all others
nevertheless,
N. Persons born OF American parents residing
temporarily abroad should be entitled to all the
rights OF natve-born 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-
scrpton TO any foreign PRINCE potentate or power,
or who refuses to recognise the Federal and State
constitutions each within its sphere paramount
to all ether laws, as rules of political action.
eth. The unqualified recognition and mainte-
nance OF the reserved rights Of the several States
aud tho cultivation Of harmony and fraternal good
will, between the citizens Of the several States and
TO this end, non-intcrferenco by Congress with
questions appertaining solely to the individual
tatcs, and nonintcrvention by each State with
the affairs OF any other State.
7th. The recognition Of tho 'ght OF the nativc-
horn and natursIixed citizens OF the United States
permanently residing in any Territory the acof, to
frame their constitution and laws, and 10 gulate
their domestic and social affairs in their own mode
subject only TO the provisions Of the Federal Con-
sitution, with the privilege Of admission into the
Union whenever they have the requisite popula-
tion for one Representative in Congress. Providsd
aiscnys that none but those who are citizens of
the United States under the constitution and laws
thereof, and who have fixed residence in any
such Territory, ought to participate in the forma-
ton OF the constitution, or in the enactment Of
lava for said Territory or State.
sth. An enforcement of the principle that no
State or Territory ought to admit others than ci-
sens OF the United States TO the right of suffrage
or ofholdig political Office.
9th. A change In the laws OF naturalization
makings continued residence o twenty-onc years.
OF all not hcrcinbcfore provided foi, n indispcn.
sab.c requisite for citizenship hcrca'tcr, and ex-
ciuding allpaup, and persons convicted Of crime
fr)m landing upon orr shores but no interference
with the vested righs of foreigners.
10TH opposition TO any union between Church
end State no Interference with religious faith. or
" ,ship, and no test caths for Office.
11th Free and thorough investigation into any
and all alleged abuses OF public fnnctionsries. and
. strict economy in public expenditures. "
i1 l2th The maintenance and enforcement of AN
Laws const ionally enacted, until said laws shall
he repealed or shall be declared null ind void by
competent judicial authority.
18th. A free and open discussion OF all political
principles embraced in our platform.