Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-10-11
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
THE wHIG PLATFORM.

The Wings of the United States in Convention
assembled, firmly adhering to the great oonserSa-
tive republican principles by which they are CON
trolled and governed, and now, as ever, relying
upon the intelligence of the American people, wlth
an abiding confidence in their capacity Tor self
government and their continued devotion to the
Constitution and the Union do proclaim the fol-
lowing as the political sentiments and determine
tons for the establishment and maintenance of
which their national organization as party is
effected:
/. The government of the United States is of
a limited character, and it is confined to the ex-
ercise Of powers expressly granted by the constr
tuition, and such as may be necessary ana proper
for carrying the granted powers into fun execu-
ton; and that all powers not thus granted or
necessarily implied are expressly reserved TO the
States. respectively, and to the people.
D The State governments should be held Sc
cure in their reserved rights and the general gov
eminent sustained in its constitutional powers,
and the Union should be revered and watched
over as " the palladium of our liberties"
8. That, while struggling freedom everywhere
enlists the warmest sympathy of the Wing party,
we still adhere to the doctrines of the Father of
his Country, as announced in his Farewell Ad-
dress, Of keeping ourselves free from all entan-
Cling alliances with foreign countries, and OF
never quitting our own to stand upon foreign
ground. That our mission as n republic is not to
propagate our opinions, or impose ON other coun-
tries our form OF government by artifce or force,
but to teach by example, and show, by our sue
cess moderation, and justice the blessings OF
elf-government and the advantages Of free in
situations.
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. Government should be conducted upon prin-
ciples of the strictest economy, and revenue suf-
fcient for the expenses thereof, in time OF peace,
ought to be mainly derived from duty on i'm
ports, and not from direct taxes; and in leyying
such duties, sound policy requires just discrimi-
nation, and protection from fraud by specific du-
tics when practicable, whereby suitable encour-
agement may be assured to American industry,
equally to all classes and to all portions of the
country
6. The constitution vests in Congress the power
to open and repair harbors, snd remove obstruc-
tions from navigable rivers; and it is expedient
that Congress should exercise that power, achen-
euey 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 cordial, habitual, and
fnhmovable 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.
s. The series Of acts of the 3lst Congress CON-
monty known as the Compromise Adjustment
(the act for the recovery of fugitives from labor
included) are received and acquiesced in by the
Wings Of the United States as a final settlement,
in principle and substance, of the subjects to
which they relate; and, so far as these acts are
concerned, we will maintain them, and insist
on their strict enforcement, until time and ex-
perience shall demonstrate the necessity of fur
Their legislation, to guard against the evasion of
the laws on the one hand, and the abuse of their
powers on the other-not impairing their present
efficiency to carry out the requirements Of the
constitution; and we deprecate all further agita-
ton Of the questions thus settled as dangerous
to our peace, and will discountenance all efforts
to continue or renew such agitation, whenever,
wherever, or however made; and we will main
tain this settlement as essential to the nationality
or the Wing party and the integrity of the Union.
J. G.. CHAPMAN, of Maryland,
President Of the Wing National Convention.
r. A. UPTON, of Louisiana,
Secretary Of ne Wing National Convention.