Washington telegraph., 1852-07-07
The Platform.

The Wings of the United States, in Convention
assembled, firmly adhering to the great conserva-
tive principles by which they are controlled and
governed, and now ever. relying upon the intel
igence 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 determination for the es-
tabishment and maintenance of which their ma
+i~nal orsaniaatinn party is effected.
l. The government of the United States is of
limited character, and it is confined to the exer-
else Of powers expressly granted by the constitu-
tion and such as may be necessary and proper for
carrying the granted powers into full execution,
and that all powers not thus granted necessarily
implied are expressly reserved TO the States re-
spectively and to the people.
?. The State governments should be held secure
in their reserved rights, and the General Govern
ment sustained in its constitutional powers. and
that the Union should be revered and watched
over as 'the palladium of our liberties"
3. That while struggling freedom, everywhere,
enlists the warmest sympathy of the Wing party
we still adhere to the doctrines of the Father of
this country, announced in his Farewell Ad-
dress, of keeping ourselves free from all entang-
ling alliances with foreign countries and of never
quitting our own to stand upon foreign ground
That our mission as Republic is not to propagate
opinions, or impose other countries our form
of government, by artifce or force, but to teach
by example, and show by our success moderation
and justice the blessings OF self government, and
the advantages of free institutions.
A. 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 will
enforce from foreign powers.
5. Revenue, sufficient for the expenses of an
economical administration of government, in time
g 10 10 H..
ports, and not from direct taxes; and in laying
such duties, sound policy requires just discrimi-
nation, whereby suitable encouragement may be
afforded to American industry, equally to all class
es and to all parts of the country.
6. The Constitution vests in Congress the power
to open and repair harbors, and remove obstruc-
tions from navigable rivers, whenever such Improve
'nents are necessary for the defence and for
the protection and facility of commerce with for
eign nations or among the States; said improve
ments being, in every instance, national and gen.
eral in their character. III
7. The federal and State Governments are parts
of one system, alike necessary for the common
prosperity, peace and security and ought to be re-
garded alike, with cordial. habitual and inlmov-
able attachment. Respect for the authority of
each, and acquiescence in the just constitutional
measures of each, are duties required by the plain
est consideration of national OF State, and of indi-
vidlal welfare
g. That the series OF measures commonly known
as the compromise, including the fugitive slave
law, are eceived and acquiesced in by the Wing
party of the United States, as a settlement in
principle and substances final settlement of the
dangerous and exciting questions which they en-
brace, and so far the fugitive slave law is con-
cerned, we will maintain the same, and insist on
its strict enforcement until time and experience
shall demonstrate the necessity OF further legsla-
ton to guard against evasion abuse, not impair
ing its present efficiency; and we deprecate all
gerous to our peace, and will discountenance all
efforts at the renewal continuance of such agi-
tatlon in Congress- out of it, ,chemever, ,ce,euer
and ho,cerer the attempt may be made; and we
will maintain this system of measures as a policy.
essential to The nationality Of the Wing party, and the
integrity Of the Union.