The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-06-21
Platform OF the whix Convention.

! The Wings Of the United States, in convention
assembled, adhering to the great conservative re-
publican principles by which they are controlled
and governed, and now, as ever, rel ying upon the
| intelligence Of the American people, with an abid-
ing confidence in their capacity for self govern
ment and their continued devotion 10 the Consti-
tuition and the Union. proclaim the following pc
| litioal sentiments and determination, for the
| Enlistment and maintenance of which their
tional organization as party ID effected
]. The Government of the United States is of
limited character. and il Is confined TO the
else Of powers expressly granted by the Constitu-
ton, and such as may be necessary and proper for
carrying the granted powers into full execution !;
and that all powers thus granted or necessarily
implied expressly reserved to the States respect
lively and to the people. lCheers
The State governments should be held Sc
cure IN their reserved rights, and the General
Government sustained in its constitutional powers
and the Union should be revered and watched
over as 'the palladium of our libertics
5: That while struggling freedom everywhere
enllsts the warmest sympathy the Whgpnrty, we
sull adhere TO the doctrines OF the Father OF his
Country, al announced in his Farewell Address
OF Keeping ourselves free from all entangling al
liances with foreign countries and OF quitting
our own to stand upon foreign groun4. [Cheers.l
l hat our mission as Republic is not to propagate
our opinions, or impose on other countries our
form of government, by article or force, but to
teach by example. and show by our success, mod
Grafton, and justice, the blessings OF self govern
ment 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 and VIII
enforce from foreign powere. ICheers.l
b. Government should be conducted on principles
OF strctest economy, and revenue 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 leyying such duties,
sound policy requires just discrimination and
protection from fraud by specific duties when prac
tcable, whereby suitable encouragement may be
try n n
and TO all portions of the country.
8. The Constitution vests in Congress the power
to open and repair harbors, and remove obstruc-
tons from navi gable rivers; and il is expedicnt
that Congress should exercise such powers lohGn
euer such Improvements are necessary for The common
dJrce and for the protection and facility Of com
merce with foreign nations or among the States,
sald improvements being, in every instance, ma
tional and general in their character.
7. The Federal and State Governments are
parts OF systcm. alike necessary for the common
prosperity peace, and security, and ought TO be
regarded alike, with cordial habitual, and inn
movable attachment. Respect for the authority Of
each, and acquiescence in the just constitutional!
measures of each, duties required by the plain
est consideration Of national Of State, and of indi
vidual welfare
s. That the series Of acts Of the thirty first Con-
gress, the act known as the Fugitive Slave law in
Guided, are received and acqucsced in by tho
Wing party of the United States a settlement in
principle and substance of the dangerous and ex
citing questions which they embrace; and, so far
us they are concerned, we will maintain them, and
insist upon their strict enforcement, until time nd
experience shall demonstrate the necessity of fur
ther Legislation TO guard against the evasion Of the
laws on the one hand, and the abuse Of their pow
ers on the other-not lmpalrlDg their present ell
cheney; and we deprccate all further agitation OF
the questions thus settled dangerous to peace
and will discountenance all efforts to continue or
renew such agitation, whenever, wherever, or how
ever the attempt may be madei and we wall main.
tain this system essential to the nationality OF
the Wing party and the integrity of the Union.