Washington telegraph., 1852-10-20
THE WHlG PLATFORM.

The Wings of the United States in convention
assembled firmly adhering to the great conserva-
tive republican principles by which they con-
trolled and governed, and now as ever. reving
upon the intelligence of the American people
with an abiding confidence in their capacity for
self government, and their continued devotion to
the Constitution and the Union, do proclaim the
following as the political sentiments and Geterm-
inatiOns. for the establishment and maintenance of
which their national organization as party is el-
fected:
L. The government of the United States is of
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
rying the granted powers into full execution, and
that all powers not thus granted or necessarily i'm
piled are expressly reserved to the States rcSpec
lively and to the people
, The State governments should be held secure
in their reserved rights, and the General Govern
ment sustained in its constitute nal powers. and
the Union should be revered and watched over as
''the palladium OF our liberties -,
3. That while struggling freedom, everywhere,
enists the warmest sympathy Of the Wing party,
we still adhere to the doctrines of the Father of
his Country as announced in his Farewell Ad-
dress of keeping ourselves free from all eltang ing
alliances with foreign countries, and ofnever quit
ting our own to stand upon foreign ground. That
our mission Republic is not to propagate our
government, by artifce or force, but to teach by
example, and show by our success. moderation.
and Justice, the blessings OF selt-Sovcrnment and
the advantages of free institutions
4. That where the )eope 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 and will
enforce from foreign powers.
5. Government should be conducted upon prn-
ciples of the strictest economy, and revenue suf-
fcient tor the expenses thereof. in time of peace.
ought to he mainly derived from duty on i'm
ports. and not from direct taxes and i'm levying
such duties sound policy requires a just discrimn-
alton and protection from fraud by specific duties
when practicable, Whereby suitable encourage
ment may be assured to American industry eq,Ia-
ly to all classes and to all portions of the country
6. The Constitution vests in Congress the power
to open and repair harbors. and remove obstruc-
tions from navigsble rivers; and it is expedient
that Congress shall exercise that power utencrcr
such improvements necessary for the common. de-
feace or for Ac protection a,m facIiy Of commerce
with foreign nations among the States; such i'm
provements belng In every instance. national and
general in their character.
7. The Federal and State Governments are parts
of one system, alike necessary for the common.
prosperity. peace ana security, and ought to he
garded alike with cordial habitual and imrnov-
able attachment. Respect for the authority of
ures of each are duties required by the plainest
consideration of national, of State, and individual
Melfare.
8. The series of acts of the 3lst Congress- COM
monty known as the Compromise or Adjustment
he act for the recovery of tugtives from labor in
cl,ulei.) received and acqiesced in 5y the
Wings of the United States final settlement
in principle and substance. of the subjects to which
they relate and so far these acts are concerned
we will maintain them 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
impairing 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 dscountenance
all effects to continue renew such agitation
whenever, wherever or however made and we
will maintain this settlement as essential to the
nationality OF the Wing party and the integrity OF
the Union.