Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-10-23
PLAQUEMINE. PARISH OF BERVILLE OCTOBER lS52
Whig Platform.

The Wings of the United States in convention
assembled firmly adhering to the great conserva-
tive princs Is by which they are controlled and
governed and now, as ever relying upon the in
telllgence Of the American people, with an abb
ding confidence IN their capacity for selt-govern-
ment, and their continued devotion to the consttu
| tion and the Union do proclaim the following as
the political sentiments and determinations for the
establishment and maintenance of which their
national organization party is effected
l. The Government of the United States is of a
limited character, and it is confined to the exercise
of powers expressly granted by the constitution,
and such may be necessary and proper for carry
ing the granted powers into full execution and all
powers not thus granted or necessarily implied are
expressly reserved for the States respectively and
to the people.
g 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
''the palladium of our liberties"
g. That while struggling freedom everywhere
enllsts the Warmest sympathy of the Whlg party,
we will adhere to the doctrines of the Father of
his Country as announced in his Farewell Address,
of keeping ourselves free from all entangllng al
liances with foreign countries, and of never quit
ting our own to stand upon foreign ground. That
our mission as republic is not to propagate our
opinions, or impose upon other countries form
of government, by artihce or torce but to teach
by example, and show by our success. moderation
and justice, the blessings of seIf-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 as they would retain their self
respect and the respect which they claim and will
enforce from foreign powers.
5. Revenue sufficient for an economical admin
istratlon of the Government in time Of peace,
ought to be derived from duty on imposts, and
not from direct taxes; and in laying such duties,
sound policy requires Just discrimination, where
by suitable encouragement may be afforded to A
nerican industry, equally to all classes and to al
parts of the country
6. The constitution vests in Congress the power
to open and repair harbors, and remove obstruc-
tlOns from navlgable rivers, whenever such I'M
provements are necessary for the common defence,
and for the protection and facility of commerce
with foreign nations or among the States, said 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, habitual and lmmo-
vable attachment. Respect for the authority of
EACH and acquescence in the Just constitutional
measures of each duties required by the plain
est consideration of national, of State and of in
divIdudi welfare.
s. That the series of measures commonly
known as the Compromise, including the fugitive
slave law, are received and acquesced in by the
Whig party of the United States settlement
in principle and in substance-a final settlement
of the dangerous and exciting questions which
they embrace; and so far as the fugitive slave law
is concerned, we will maintain the same and in
sst on its strict enforcement, until time and expe
rience shall demonstrate the necessity of further
legislation to guard against evasion or abuse, but
moi impairing its present efficiency; and we dep
recate all further agitation of the slavery question
as dangerous to our peace, and will discountenance
all efforts at the renewal or countenance of such
agitation; in Congress out of it, whenever, wher
ever, and however the attempt may be made and
we will maintain this system of measures as po-
cy essential to the nationality of the Wing party,
and the integrity of the Union