Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-09-28
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
THE WIG 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 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
limited character, and il is confined to the ex-
ercise Of powers expressly granted by the consul
tuition, and such as may be necessary ana proper
for carrying the granted powers into tuil execu-
ton; and that all powers not thus granted or
necessarily implied are expressly reserved to the
States, respectively, and to the people
2 The State governments should be held So
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"
3. 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 own to stand upon foreign
propagate opinions, or impose on other coun-
tries our form of government by artihce or force,
but to teach by example, and show, by our sue
cess, moderation aud justice, the blessings OF
self-aoyernment and the advantages of free in
situations.
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,
s. Government should be conducted upon prin-
ciples of the strictest economy, and revenue SUI
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 levying
such duties sound policy requires just discrimi-
nation, and protection from fraud by specific du:
ties 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, and remove obstruc-
lions from navigable rivers; and it is expedient
that Congress should exercise that power, Vhen-
euer 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.
7. 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
immovable 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.
8. The series of acts of the 3lst Congress COM
monty known as the Compromise or Adjustment
1.-THE act for the recovery of fugitives from labor
incuded) are received and acquiesced in by the
Wings of the United States as 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 enc 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 essential to the nationality
of the Wing party and the integrity of the Union.
tt1.- J. @. CHAPMAN, Of Maryland,
President # the Why National C0nrenttoR.
X. A. UPTON, of Louisiana,
Secretary Qf me Wig National Contention.