Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-10-14
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
THE WIG PLATFORM.


The wings Of the United States in Convention
assembled firmly adhering TO the great oonserya-
dys republican principles by which they are con-
trollei and governed and now, as ever, relying
upon the intelligence Of the American people, with
al abiding confidence In their capacity for self
government and their continued devotion to the
constitution and the Union, do proclaim the fol-
lowing as the political sentiments and determine
tlons for the establishment and maintenance Of
which their national organization as a party is
effected
I. The government Of the United States is Of
limited character, and il is confined to the ex-
ercise Of powers expressly granted by the consti-
tuition. and such as may be necessary and proper
Cor carrying the granted powers into full execu-
tinn; and that all powers not thus granted or
necessarily implied are expressly reserved to the
States, respectively, and % the people.
y The State governments should be held Sc
cure IA their reserved rights and the general gov
crnment sustained ii It's constitutional powers,
saI tAe Union should be reyered and watched
over ~ the palladium Of our liberties"
3. That, while struggling freedom everywhere
eAHsts tile warmest sympathy of the Wing party,
We stin adhere "a the doctrines Of the Father of
lis Country "a announced in his Farewell Ad-
dress 81 keeping ourselves free from all entan-
Cling alliances with foreign countries, and of
never quitting our own 10 stand upon foreign
ground That cur mission as a republic is not to
propagate our opinions, or impose on other coun-
tries cur form Of government by artifce or force,
but To teach BY example, and show, by our sue
cess, moderation, and justice, the blessings of
srif- government and the advantages Of free in
atitUtons.
4. That where the people make and control the
government, they should obey its constitution,
laws, and treaties they would retain their self
respect ami the respect which they claim and
viii enforce from foreign powers.
81 Government should be conducted upon prin-
cigles OF the strictcst economy, and revenue suf-
fceut for the expenses thereof, in time Of peace,
ought TO he mainly derived from duty on i'm
ports and not from direct taxes; and in levying
such duties, sound policy requires just discrimi-
nation, and protection from fraud by specific du-
ties when practicable whereby suitable encour-
agement may he assured to American industry,
equally 10 Oh classes and to oil portions of the
country.
g. The constitution vests in Congress the power
70 open and repair harbors, and remove obstruc-
tions from nayigable rivers; and il is expedient
that Congress should exercise that power, sohen-
erer such Improvements are necessary for The common
defence, or for the protection and facility Of
commerce with foreign nations or among the
States such improvements being, in every in
stance, national and general in their character.
T. The federal and State governments are parts
Of one system, alike necessary for the common
prosperity, peace, and security, and ought TO be
regarded alike with a cordial, habitual, and
immoyable attachment Respect for the author
ity Of each, and acquiescence in the constitu-
tional measures Of each, are duties required by
the plainest considerations Of national Of State,
and OF individual welfare.
g. The series of acts of the 31st Congress COM
monty kno wn as the Compromise or Adjustment
(tEe act for the recovery of fugitiyes from labor
iucluded) are received and acquesced in by the
WhiEs OF the United States as final settlement,
in principle and substance, of the subjects to
which they relate; and, SO far rs these acts are
concerned, VIC win maintain them, and insist
on their strict enforcement, until time and ex-
perience shall demonstrate the necessity of fur
ther legislation, to guard against the evasion Of
the laws or the one hand, and the abuse of their
powers or the other-not impairing their present
efficiency 10 carry out the requirements Of the
constitution; and We deprecate all further agita-
ton of the questions thus settled, as dangerous
10 orr peace, and will dscountenance all efforts
70 continue or renew such agitation, whenever,
wherever, or however made and we will main
toin this settlement essential to the nationality
Of the Wing party and the integrity of the Union.
y. q. CHAPMAN, Of Maryland,
President 81 Dae Wing National dbnpeatioa.
X. A. UPTON, Of Louisia m,
ySacJaf0FV n ne Who National CifrsntiOn.