Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-20
The A. Il. &. Platform.


As Mr.. Mckinley has just undergone
so to speak. a trial before the authorities
of the American Protective Association
and as this organization is not by any
means a feeble one, we think our readers
will like to read its platform. 1t is as ioi-
lows:
/. Loyalty to true Amerioanism, 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 political party and does not
control the political utilization of its men,
bers, but It teaches them TO be in
tensely active in the discharge Of their
political duties, in or out Of party lines,
because II believes that all the problems
confronting our people will best be solved
by conscientious discharge OF the duties
of citizenship by every individual
8. While tolerant of ali creeds 1t holds
that subsection TO and support Of any &c
cesiastical power, not created and con-
trolled by American citizens, and which
claims equal, if not greater sovereignty
then the Government Of the United
States Of America, is irreconcilable with
American citizenship. 1t is, therefore,
opposed 10 the holding Of offices in
national, State or municipal government
by any subject or supporter OF such &C
clesiastical power.
L. We uphold the Constitution OF the
United States Of America, and no por-
ton Of II more than its guaranty Of re-
ligious liberty, but we hold this religious
liberty to be guaranteed to the individual,
and not to mean that under It's protec-
ton any un-American ecclesiastical power
can claim absolute control over the edu-
cation of children growing up under the
| Stars and Stripes.
3. 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
ment Of subjects Of any un-American &C.
clesiastical power as officers or teachers
Of our public schools.
g. We condemn the support out Of the
| public treasury by direct appropriation,
or by contract, of any sectarian school,
| reformatory, or other institution not
owned and controlled by the public au-
| thority.
| T. Believing that exemption from taxa
! ton Is equivalent to a grant OF public
| funds, we demand that no real or per-
sonal property be exempt from taxation,
| the title to which is not vested in the
national 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.
9. We demand for the protection OF
our citizen labprers the prohibition of
the importation of pauper labor, and the
restr .tion OF all immigration to persons
who can show their ability and honest tn
tention 10 become self-supporting Ameri-
can citizens.
10. We demand the change of the ma
tional naturalization laws by a repeal OF
the act authorizing the naturalization OF
minors without a previous declaration OF
intention, and by providing that no allen
shall be naturaliZed or permitted 10 vote
in any State in the Union, who cannot
speak the language OF the land. and who
cannot prove seven years continuous
residence in this country from the date
of his declaration Of intention.
II. We protest against the gross neg
lgence and iaxity with which the Judi
ciary OF our land administer the present
naturalization laws, and against the
practice OF naturalizlng aliens at the ex'
pense OF committees or candidates. a:
the most prolific source of the present
prostitution of American citizenship e
basest uses.
. II We demand that all hospitals, asy
lums, reformatories, or other institutions
in which people are under restraint bC
at all times subject TO public inspection
whether they are maintained by the pub
lie or by private corporations or indi
viduals.
49, we demand that all national o.
State legislation affecting financial, com
mercial or industrial interests be genera
in character, and in no instance in favor
OF any one section OF the country. or o.
any one class of people.