Washington telegraph., 1852-10-13
THE WHaG PLATFORM.

The Wings of the United States. in convention
assembled firmly adhering to the great conserva-
tive republican principles by which they are con-
tfolled and governed, and now, as ever, reying
upon the intelligence of the American people.
with an abiding confidence in their capacity Tor
self government and their continued devotion to
TIE Constitution and the Union. do proclaim the
following as the political sentiments and eeterm-
nations for the establishment and maintenance of
which their national organization as party is Ell
fecteu: rr .It.. ....rs, ..
i. The government OF the United States is of a
limited character and it is confined by the exercise
of powers expressly granted by the Constitution.
and such as may be necessary and proper for car
rving the granted powers into full execution, and
that all powers not thus granted or necessarily I'M
piled are expressly reserved to the States respec-
lively and to the people.
2. The State governments should be held secure
in their reserved rights, and the General Govern
ment sustained ia its constitutional powers and
the Union should be revered and watched over as
''the palladium OF our liberties ri
g. That while struggling freedom. everywhere,
enlists the warmest sympathy OF the Wing party,
we still adhere to the doctrines of the Father OF
his Country. announced in his Farewell Ad-
dress. OF keeping, ourselves Tree from ali enangiln
alliances with foreign countries, and ofnever quit
ting our own to stand upon foreign ground. That
our mission Republic IS not to propagate our
opinions. or impose on other countries Iorn OF
government, by artifce or force, but to teach by
example and show by our success, moderation.
and Justice, the blessings of seli-government; and
the advanta 9es of free institutions.
A. That where the people make and control the
Government, they should obey It's Constitution.
laws, and treaties, they would retain their SELF
respect and the respect which they claim and Will
enforce from foreign powers.
5 Government should be conducted upon prin-
ciples of the strictest economy, and revenue suf-
4 of,>
ought to be mainly derived from duty on i'm
ports, and not from direct taxes; and in evyins
such duties sound policy requires just discrimil-
alton and projection from fraud by specific duties
when practicable, whereby suitable encourage
melt may be assured to American industry, equal
ly to all classes and to all portions OF the country.
g. The Constitution vests in Congress the power
to open and repair harbors. and remove obstruc-
tions from nayigable rivers; and it is expedient
that Congress shall exercise that power nhcnercy
smh inapyouea,elts necessary for the common de-
fence or for the protection and ttcHdy of commerce
with foreign nations or among the States; such inn
provements being, In every instance, national 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
garded alike with cordial habitual, and immov-
able attachment. Respect for the authority OF
each, and acquiescence in the constitutional meas
ures of each, are duties required by the plainest
consideration Of national, OF State, and individual
monty known as the Compromise OF Adjustment
the act for the recovery ottugtives from labor in
eluded.) are received and acquiesced in by the
Wings of the United States az a final settlement
IN principle and substance: OF the subjects to which
they relate, and SO far these acts are concerned
we will maintanIthem, and insist on their strict
enforcement, until time and experience shall de-
monstrate the necessity OF further legislation to
guard against the evasion of the laws on the one
hand and abuse of their powers on the other not
impairng their present efficiency to carry out the
requirements OF the Constitution, and we deprecate
all further agitation OF the questions thus settled
as dangerous to our peace, and will discountenance
all effects to continue or renew such agitation.
whenever, wherever, or however made and we
will maintain this settlement as essential to the
nationality OF the Whig party and the integrity of
the Union }'