The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-22
RESOLUTIONS OF THE WIG CONVENTION

The Wings Of the United States, IN Convpn
ton assembled firmly adhering to the great
conservative republican principles by which
they are controlled and governed, and now, az
ever, relying upon the intelligence of the Amer
lcan people, with an abiding confidence in their
capacity Tor sell government and their con
unued devotion to the Constitution and the
Union, do proclaim the following as the po
zeal sentiments and determinations, for the
establishment and maintenance of which their
national organization as party ~ effected
|. The Government OF the United States is
al limited character, and 1t is confined 10 the
exercise OF powers expressly granted by the
Constitution, and such as may be necessary
and proper Tor carrying the granted powers
INTO lull execution, and that all powers not
thus granted or necessarily implied are express
~ reserved to The States respectively and to the
people.
~. The State Governments should be- held
secure IN their reserved rights, and the General
Government sustained IN It's constitutional DOW
ers, and the Union should be- revered and
watched over "a the palladium of our libcr-
tes'
Ill. That while struggling freedom, every
where, enlsts the warmest sympathy OF the
Wing party, we still adhere to the doctrines of
The Father Of his Country. az announced in his
Farewell Address, of keapng ourselves free
from all entanslmg alliances with foreign coun-
treS, and OF never quitting our own TO stand
upon foreign ground. That our mission AZ a
Republlc Is not to propagate our opinions. or
impose Oh otnef countries our form Of govern
mem, 10y artllice or force, but to teach by OK .
ample, and show by our success. moderation
and justice, the blessings of self government and
the advantages Of free institutions.
~. That where the people make and con
troll the Government, they should obey its con.
sututon, laws, aud treaties, az they would re-
tam their sell-respect, aud the respect which
they claim and will enforce from foreign
powers.
V. Government should be conducted upon
principles OF the strcteSt economy, and rev
enue sufficient for the expenses thereof. in
Time OF peace, ought To be- mainly derived from
duty on imports. and not from direct taxes /;
and IN levyng such duties. sound policy re
qulreS just discrimination and protection from
fraud 10y specific duties, when practicable,
whereby suitable encouragement may be as
Sured to American industry, equally TO ali
classes and 10 all portions of the country
VI Inc Constitution vests in Congress the
power To open and repair harbors, and remove
OosuucuohS nom navIgable rivers and IL h
eXpedicnt that Congress shall exercise that
power rhenerer such Improvements are necesauv
for The conlmo" defence or for the protection and
tdcilHy ~ commerce with foreign nations or
among The States; such improvements being
IN every instance, national and general IN their
character.
VII. The Federal and Stale Governments
are parts OF one system, alike necessary for the
common prosperity, peace. and security, and
ought TO he regarded alike with cordial, habit
ual, and mmoyabIe attachment. Respect for
the authority Of each, and acquiescence in the
constitutional measures of each. are duties re-
quired by the plainest consideration of National,
OF State, and individual welfare
VII. The series Of acts of the 3lst Congress.
commonly known as the Compromise or Ad-
lustment, (the act for the recovery of fugitves
from labor included are received and acquies-
ced IN by the Wings of the United States ms
hnal settlement IN principle aud substance, OF
the subjects to which they relate and SO far as
these acts are concerned, we will maintain
them, and insist on their strict enforcement,
until lime and experience shall demonstrate