Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-09-04
whig Platform.

The Wings of the United States in convention
assembled, firmly adhering to tho great conserya.
tive principles by which they are controlled anC
governed, and now, as ever, relying upon the in.
telllgence OF the American people, with an abb
ding confidence In their capacity for seli-govern-
ment, and their continued devotion TO the consitu-
ton and the Union, do proclaim the following as
the political sentiments aud determination, for the
establishment and maintenance of which theiI
national organization party is effected:
/. The Government Of the United States is of a
limited character, and it is confined to the exercise
OF powers expressly granted by the constitution,
and such as may be necessary and proper for carry
ing the granted powers into full executions and all
powers not thus granted necessarily implied are
expressly reserved for the States respectively and
to the people.
?. The State Governments should be held secure
III their reserved rights, ard the General Govern
ment sustained in its constitutional powers, and
the Union should be revered and watched over as
'the palladium of our liberties"
3. That while struggling freedom everywhere
enllsts the warmest sympathy of the Whig party
we Will adhere to the doctrines of the Father of
his Country, as announced in his Farewell Address,
of keeping ourselves free from all entangling al
llances with foreign countries and of never quit
ting our own to stand upon forei gn ground. That
our mission republic is not to propagate our
opinions, or impose upon other countries our form
OF government, by artltce or force, but to teach
by example, and show by our success, moderation
and justice the blessings of self-gor and
the advantages of free Institutions.
4. That where the people make and control the
government, they should obey its constitution,
laws and treaties, as they would retain their self
respect and the respect which they claim aud will
enforce from fore gn powers
s. Revenue sufficient for an economical admin
lstratlon Of the Government iii time OF peace,
ought to be derived from duty on impo>ts, and
not from direct taxes; and, in laying such duties,
sound policy requires just discrimination, where
by suitable encouragement may be afforded 10 A
merican industry equally to all classes and to al
parts of the country.
6. The constitution vests in Congress the power
to open and repair harbors, and remove obstruc-
lions from naVlgable rivers whenever such I'M
provementS are necessary for the common defence,
and ior the protection and facility of commerce
with foreign nations or among the States, said i'm
proVements being, il every instance, national and
general in their character.
7. The Federal and State Governments are parts
Of one SYSTEM alike necessary for the common |
peace and security, and ought TO be fe
sarded alike with cordial habitual and jmmo-
Iable attachment Respect tor the authority of
Zach, and acquiescence in the just consti1 utonal
measures OF each, are duties required by the plain
st consideration Of national, of State, and Of in-
ividual welfare.
s. That the series of measures commonly
.nown as The Compromise, including the fugitive
lave law, ale received and acquiesced ia by The
Wing party OF The United States as a settlement
il priuciple and in substance-a final settlement
-oi the dangerous and exciting questions which
hey embrace; and, SO far as the fugitive slave law
) concerned, we will maintain the aud in
Isl on lis strict enforcement until time and ezpe-
ence shall demonstrate the necessity OF. further
egislation TO guad against evasion abuse; but
OF irDDairino its present efficiency: and we deD-
ecate all further agitation OF the slavery question
dangerous 10 our peace. aud will dIscounleuance
Il efforts al the renewal Oh countenance oil such
citation in Congress or out of it, whenever, wher
yer: and however the attempt may be made: and
e will maintain this system OF measures as a po- I
cy essential to the nationality of the Wbig party,
I'D the integrity Of the Union. 5