Washington telegraph., 1852-08-04
TksE WING PLATFORM.

The Wings of the United States. in convention
assembled firmly adhering to the great conserva--
tive republican principles by which they are con-
trolled and governed, and now, as ever, relying.
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 Geteru1-
inations. for the establishment and maintenance OF
which their national organization as party is ef-
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
ryng the granted powers into full execution, and
thatalEpowers not thus granted or necessarily i'm
piled expressly reserved 10 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 constitutional powers and
the Union should be revered and watched over as
tthe palladium OF our liberties
). That while struggling freedom. everywhere,
eniists the warmest sympathy OF the Wing party
we still adhere to the doctrines O! the Father of
his Country. announced in his Farewell Ad-
dress OF keeping ourselves free from all eutangling
alliances with foreign countries, and ofnever quit
ting our own to stand upon foreign ground That
our mission as Republic is not to propagate our
opinions, or impose on other countries our form Of
government, by artihce or force, but to teach by
example, and show by our success moderation,
and Justice, the blessings of sei-government; and
the advantages of free institutions.
4. That where the people make and control the
Government, they should obey its Constitution
laws and treaties, they would retain their self
respect, and the respect which they claim and will
enforce from foreign powers.
5 Government should be conducted upon prin-
clpics of the StrIctest economy. and revenue sui.
ticient for the expenses thereof. in time of peace
ought to be mainly derived from a duty on inn
ports, and not from direct taxes; and in levyi,g
such duties sound policy requires just dscrimin-
alton and protection from fraud by specific duties
when practicable whereby suitable encourage
ment may be assured to American industry. equal
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 navigable rivers; and it is expeaient
that Congress shall exercise that power ,rhenerey
such aniproce1.eHts are necessary for the common de-
fence or for the protection G9m factty of commerce
with foreign nations or among the States such i'm
provements being, 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 and security and ought to be re-
garded alike with cordial. hahit,.al, and inuov-
able attachment. Respect for the authority of
each and acqulescence In the constitutional meas
ures of each are duties required by the painest
consideration of national, OF State, and individual
welfare.
S. The series of acts of the 3lSt Congress. COM
monty known as the Compromise or Adjustment.
(he act for the recovery of fugtives from labor in
cluded) are received and acquiesced in by the
Wings of the United States final settlement,
in principle and substance, of the subjects to which
they relate and far these acts are conce emed,
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
imparing their present efficiency to carry out the
requirements OF the Constitution, and deprecate
all further agitation of the questions thus settled,
as dangerous to our peace, and will discountenance
all effects to continue or renew such agitation,
whenever, wherever, or however made, and
will maintain this settlement as essential to the
nationality OF the Whig party and the integrity of
the Union