The Nevada journal., 1852-09-10
wHIG NATIONAL PLATFORM.


The Wigs of the United States. in Con
vcntion assembled, adhcring to the grent
conservative republican principles BY which
they arc controlled and governed, and now,
as ever, relying upon the intelligence of the
American people. with an abiding confidence
in their capacity for sclf-govemment, and
their continued devotion to the constitution
and the Union, proclaim the following as
political sentiments and determination, for
the establishment and maintenance of which
their national organization as party is ef-
! fectcd
! /. The government OF the United States is
of limited character, and it is confined to
the exercise Of powers expressly granted by
the constitution, and such as may be ncces.
>ary and proper for carrying the granted
powers into full execution, and that all pow
ers not thus granted or necessarily implied,
arc expressly reserved 20 the States rcspec-
lively and 10 tho people. .
.. The State governments should be held
sccurc in their rcser, I'd rights, and the Gen
eral Government sustained in its constitu-
tional powers, and the Union should be re-
vered and watched over as " the palladium
of our liberties"
3. That while struggling freedom, every
where, enlists the warmest sympathy Of the
Wing party, we still adhere to the doctrines
Of the Father Of his country, as announced
in his Farewell Address, Of Keeping our
selves fee from all eutangling alliances with
foreign countries, and Of never quitting our
own to stand upon foreign ground. That
our mission as a Republic is not 10 propa-
gate onr opinions, or impose on other coun-
tries our form of government, by artiiice or
force, but to teach by example and show by
our success, moderation, and Justice, the
blessings Of sef'government, and the advan-
tages Of free Institutions
4, That where the people make and con-
troll the Government, they should obey its
constitution laws and treaties, as they would
retain their self-respect, and the respect
which they claim and will enforce from for
eign powers
! 5. Government should be conducted on
principles OF strictest economy, and revenue
sufficient for the expenses thereof in time
OF peace, ought to be derived from duty on
! imposts aud not from direct taxes and in
laying such duties, sound policy requires
Just discrimination, whereby suitable encour-
agcment may be afforded to American indus
try, equally 10 all classes and to all portions
of tho country. ~
g, Tho constitution vests in Congress the
power TO open and repair harbors and it is
expedicnt that Congress should exercise its
power to remove distractions from navlga-
bic rivers, ,rhcneror such improvements ave ne
c sdIy for the common defence and for the pro-
lection and facility of commerce with for
| C .gn nations or among the S ates said i'm
provcmcnts being, in every instance, nation
! al and general in their character
| 7. The Federal and State Governments
are parts of one system, alike necessary for
the common prosperity, peace and security,
and oughtto be regarded alike, with cor
dial habitual and immovable attachment
Respect for the authority of each, and acqui-
esccnce in the constitutional measures of
each, are duties required by the plainest con
sideration of national, of State, and Of indi-
vidual welfare. QHlaWR ..W
Resolccd, That the series of acts Of the 81 st
Congress, the act known as the Fugitive
Slave Law included, are received and arQu-
esced in by tho Wing party of the United
IiStatcs, as a settlement III principle, and sub.
stance of the dangerous and exciting qt,cs.
tions which they embrace, and, so far as they
are concerned, we VIII maintain them and
insist upon their strict enforcement until
Tins and experience shall demonstrate the
neccssitybof further legislation, to guard
against the evasion Of the laws on the one
hand, and the abuse of their powers on the
other, not impairing their present efficiency;
and we deprcca,e all further agitation of the
slavery question as dangerous to our peace,
and will discountcnancc all efforts at the
renewal or countenauce of such agitation in
Congress, or ont fit, whenever wherever
and bowcver the attempt may he made and
we will maintain this system of measures as
policy, essential to the nationality of the
Wing party, and the integrity of the Union.