The Nevada journal., 1852-10-15
wHIG NATIONAL PLATFORM.


The Wings Of the United States, in Con.
vention assembled, adherng TO the great
conservative republican principles by which
they are controlled and governed, and now
as ever, relying upon the intelligence Of the
American people. with an abiding confidence
in their capacity for self-govcrnmcnt, 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-
fccted s e
/. 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 NAV be neccs-
sary and proper for carrying the granted
powers into full execution, and that all pow
ers not thus granted or necessarily implied,
are expressly reserved to the States rcspec-
lively and to the people.
2. The State governments should be held
secure IN their rescr, ed rights, and the Cen
'eral Government sustained in its constitu-
tional powers, and the Union should be re-
vcrcd and watched over as " the palladium
Of our liberties"
B. That while struggling freedom, every
where, enlists the warmest sympathy of the
Wing party, we still adhere TO tie doctrines
Of the Father of his country, as announced
in his Farewell Address, of keeping our
selves free from all entangling alliances with
foreign countries, and of never quitting our
own to stand upon foreign ground. That
our mission as a Republic is not to propa-
gate onr opinions, or impose on other coun-
tries our form Of government, by artiice or
force, but 10 teach by example. and show by
our success, moderation, and Justice, the
blessings OF self-governmcnt and the advan-
tages OF free institutions.
4, That where the people make and con
troll tile Government they should obey its
constitution, laws and treaties, as they would
retain til :ir self-respcct, and the respect
which they claim and will enforce from for
eign powers. .F -e
$. Government should be conducted on
principles OF strictcst economy, and revenue
sufficient for the expenses thereof in time
OF peace, ought to be derived from duty on
lmpostS, and not from direct taxes; and in
laying such duties, sound policy requires a
inst DISCRIMINATION whereby suitable cncour-
agcmentmay he afforded to American indus
try, equally to all classes and to all portions
OF the country
8. Tho constitution vests in Congress the
power to open and repair harbors and it is
expcdient that Congress should exercise its
power to remove distractions from navira-
bic rivers, wieneper such improvements are ne
car yfor the common defence and for the pro-
lection and facility Of commerce with for.
egn nations or among the S atcs said i'm :
provemcnts being, in every instance, nation
al and general in their character
T. The Federal and State Governments
are parts of one system, alike necessary for
the common prosperity, peace and security,
and ought to be regarded alike, with cor
dial, habtual and immovablc attachment
Respect for the authority of each, and acqui-
cscenee in the constitutional measures of
each, are duties required by the plaincst con
sideratlon OF national, of State, and OF indi-
vidual welfare. t't ''.t'@" a-7
= Resoteed, That the series Of acts of the 3lst
Congress, the act known as the Fugitive
Slave Law included, are received and acqui-
esced in by the Wing party of the United
States, as a settlement iii principle and sub
stance of the dang gerous and exciting qucs-
tons which they embrace, ard so far rs they
are concerned, wo will maintain them and
insist upon their strict enforcement until
iims and experience shall demonstrate tile
necessity of further legislation, to guard
against tho evasion of the laws on the one
hand, and the abuse of their powers OIL the
other, not impairing their present efficiency
and we dcprecate all further agitation of the
slavery question as dangerous to our peace,
and will discountcnance all efforts at the
renewal or countenaucc of such agitation in
Congress, or ont of it, whenever, wherever,
and however the attempt may be mndc and
we will maintain this system of measures MS
policy, essential to the nationality of the
Wing party, and the integrity Of the Union