Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-07-01
The Platform adopted by the
Wing National Convention.

The Platform adopted by the !.
: Wing National Convention. b
;Fhe Ways of the United States. I'M
CoaveDhoh assembled, firmly adheripg to
the great conservative principles by which
they are controlled and governed, and now
as ever relying upon the intelligence Of the
American people. with an abiding conf
dence in their capacity for selfgovernment.
and their devotion to the Constitution and
the Union. do proclaim the following as the
political sentiments and determination for
the establishment and maintenance Of which
their national organization as party was
effected:
First. The Government Of the United
States is of limited character, and it is
cUnfided to the exercise of powers expressly
granted by the Constitution, and such as
may be necessary and proper for carrying
the granted powers into FULL execution, and
that all powers not granted or necessarily
implied are expressly reserved to the States
respectively and to the people.
Second The State Governments should
be held secure to their reserved rights, and
the General Government sustained on its
constitutional powers, and that the Union
should be revered and watched over as the
palladium of our liberties.
Third. That whilst struggling freedom
everywhere enlists the warmest sympathy Of
the Why party, We still adhere to the doc
trines of the Father Of his Country as an
nounced in his Farewell Address, of keep
ing ourselves free from all cntangling allan
ces with foreign countries, and never quit.
ting our own to stand OIL foreign ground ;
that our mission as republic is not to prop
agate our opinions, or impose oil other
countries our form Of government, by arti-
fee or force but to teach, by example, and
show by our success, moderation aud JUS
tice, the blessings of self government, and
the advantages OF free institutions.
Fourth That, as the people make and
control the Government, they should obey
its Constitution. laws and treaties, as thsy
would retain their seltFespect, aud the 70
l~Peets which they eiaim and will enforce
from foreign powers.
| Fifth. Revenue sufficient for the expenses
of an economical administration of the Gov
eminent, in time Of peace, ought to be de-
rived from duty on imports, and not from
direct taxation; and in laying such duties,
sound policy requires just discrimination,
whereby suitable encouragement may be aE-
iorded to American industry, equally to all
classes, and to all parts Of the country.
Sigth, The Constitution vestsin Congress
the power to open and repair harbors, and
remove distinctions from navigable rivers,
whenever such Improvements are necessary
for the common defense and for the pro.
lection aud facility of commerce with for.
eign nations, or among the States-sad
improvements being, in every instance, ma
tional and general in their character.
Seventh. The Federal and State Govern
ments are parts of one system, alike neces.
sary for the common prosperity, peace and
security, and ought to be regarded alike
with cordial, habitual and immovabIe at.
tachment. Respect for the authority Ct
each, and acquiescence in the Just constitu-
tional measures Of each, are duties required
by the plainest considerations of national,
state, aud individual welfare.
Eighth. That the series of resolutions
known as the Compromise, including the
Fugitive Slave law, are received and acqui-
esced in by the Wing Party OF the United
States, as a settlement--of the dangerous
and exciting subject which they embrace !;
and so far as the Fugitive Slave law is con-
cerned, we will maintain the same, and i'll
sist on its strict enforcement, until time and
experience shall demonstrate the necessity
of further Legislation, against evasion or
abuse, but not impairiDg its present efIicien.
cy; and we dePrecOte all future agitation
q! the slavery question, as dangerous to our
peace; and we will discountenance all eE-
forts as the renewal or continuance of such
agitation ID Congress, OF out Of it--when-
ever, wherever or however the attempt may
be made; and will maintain this system Of
measures as policy essential to the nation.
ality Of the Wing party, and the integrity
Of the Union.
The vote on the adoption Of the resou.
lions stood Yeas 227, Nays 81. Mich.
gan voted no; New York, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois and Mis-.
souri,, divided votes, and voted again.
Asa commentary on the above Platform we
accept the following then much applauded
passage in a speech Of the Hon. William
Upham, delivered at the Wing State Con.
vention held at Montpelier on the 4th of
July, lS49, which we extract from his pub
lished speech on that occasion.
III think it must be evident to every can.
did man, that the wing party have long
since nailed their Colors to the mast and
on their broad folds are inscribed the cheer.
ing words Of Hope and Progress. They
have declared and are now prosecuting war
Of determination against human slavery in
all its forms and they will not cease from
the contest until the death-blow is given to
that .monstrous hydra of oppression and
tyranny
But if, in an evil hour, they are tempted
from any motive to abandon this high
gronnd-if they yield to considerations of
personal or political expediency, and sell
the birth-rght OF humanity for a mess of
they ever shall be fouad weak