The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-01
4. L. 4. Platform.

The following is the platform Of the
American Protective Association:
/. Loyalty 70 true Americanism which
knows neither birthplace. race, creed or
party, IS the first requisite for member
ship in the American Protective Asso-
citation.
2. The American Protective Associa-
ton is not a political party and does not
control the political ailliation OF its men,
hers. but il teaches them to be IN
tensely active in the discharge OF their
political duties in or out OF party lines
because IL believes that all the problems
confronting our people will best be solved
by Il contentious discharge OF the duties
Of citizenship 10y every individual.
g. While tolerant of all creeds, II holds
that subsection 10 and support OF any &C.
clesiastical power, not created and con-
trolled by American citizens, and which
claims equal II not greater sovereignty
than the government of the United
States OF America, is irrecOncilable with
American citizenship. IL IS, therefore,
opposed TO the holding OF offices In Ma
tiona. State or Municipal Government ny
any subject or supporter OF such ecclesl-
astical power.
4. We uphold the Constitution Of the
United States of American, and no por-
ton of it more than its guaranty OF re-
ligious liberty. but we hold THIS religious
liberty 10 be guaranteed 10 the Individual
and not to mean tnat under us pIotec-
ton any un-American ecclesiastical power
can claim absolute control over the edu-
cation Of children growing up under the
Stars and Stripes.
4 We consider the non-sectarian free
public school the bulwark of American
Institutions, the best place for the educa-
ton Of American children. To Keep them
as such, We protest against the employ
nent of subjects of any un-Amerlcan &C.
clesiastical power as officers or teachers
Of our public scrools.
6. We condemn the support OUT OF inc
public treasury by direct appropriation
or by contract, Of any sectarlan school,
reformatory, or other institution not own
ed and controlled by the public authority.
7. Believing that exemption from taxa
ton IS equivalent to a grant or puDhc
funds, We demand that no real or personal
property be exempt from taxation, the
title 10 which Is not vested In the Natohal
or State Governments. or in any OF their
subdivisions.
s. We protest against the enlistment
in the United States army. navy, or the
militia OF any State, OF any person not
an actual citizen OF the United States.
Q. We demand for the protection OF our
citizen labOrers the prohibition or the
importation Of pauper labor, and the re-
striction OF all immigration TO persons
who can show their ability and honest in
tention 10 become se!f-supporting Amerl-
can citizens.
1O. We demand the change OF the ma
tional naturalization laws by a repeal OF
the act authorizing the naturalization or
minors without previous declaration OF
intention, ana by providing that no allen
shall be naturalized or permitted 10 vote
I'm any State in the Union who cannot
sneak the language Of the land. and VINO
cannot prove seven years continuous resi-
dence in this country from the date OF
his declaration OF intention.
Il. We protest against the gross neg
Ngence and laxty with which the jude
larry OF our land administer the present
naturalization laws, and against the prac-
tice Of nturaliZing aliens at the expense OF
committees or candidates. as the most
nrolldc source OF the present prostitution
OF American citizenship 70 the basest
uses.
u. We demand that all hospitals. asy-
luuis. reformatories or other Institutions
I'm which people are under restraint, be at
all times subject 10 public inspection,
whether they are maintained by the public
or by private corporations or individuals.
lg. We demand that all National or
state LEGISLATION affecting financial, COM
mercial or industrial interests be gem
eral in character and in no instance IN
favor OF any one section Of the country,
or of any one class Of people.
For further particulars address post-of-
flee box 2S5, city.