Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-07-08


The Wings of the United States, in
Convention assembled, adhering to the
great conservative republican principles
by which they are controlled and gov
erned. aud now as ever relying upon the
intelligence of,he American people, with
an abiding confidence in their capacity
for self.gorernment, and their devotion
to the Constitution ard the Union, do
proclaim the following as the political
sentiments and determinations for the es-
tablishment and maintenance of which
their national organization as a party was
etlecict:
First. The Governme.t of the Uni
ted States is of a limited character, and
IT is confined to the exetcise of powers
expressly granted by the Constitution,
and such as may be necessary and prop
er for carrying the granted powers into
full execution, and that all powers not
granted or necessarily implied are ex-
pressly reserved TO the States respective
ly and TO the people.
Second. The State Governments
should be held secure in their reserved
righs, and the General Government sus-
tanned on It's constitutional powers, and
that the Union should be revered aud
watched over as The palladium of our lib
critics. ..a
Third. That while struggling free
dom everywhere enlists the warmest sym-
pa,h'es OF the whig party, we still adhere
10 the doctrines Of the Father of his t'oun-
try, as announced in his Farewell Ad-
dress. of keeping ourselves free from all
en,angling alliances with foreign coun-
tries, and of never quitting our own to
stand upon foreign ground; that oar mis-
sion as republic is not to propagate our
opinions, or impose on other countries
our form of government, by ariifice or
force; but TO teach, by example, and show
by our success, moderation aud Justice,
the blessings of self government, and the
advantages of free institutions.
Fourth. That. as the people make
and control the government, they should
obey its Constitution, laws and treaties,
as they would retain their self-respect
aud the respect which they claim and
will enforce from foreign powers.
FJth. Government should be con-
Quoted upon principles of the strictest e.
economy, and revenue sufficient for the
expenses Of an economical administration
g! iho Government, in time of peace,
ought 10 be derived from duty on i'm
ports, aud not from direct taxation; and
irEying such duties, sound policy re-
quires Just discrimination, whereby
suitable encouragement may be afforded
to American industry, equally to all clas-
ses. and to all parts of the country.
Sirth. The Constitution vests in
Congress the power 10 open and repair
harbors, and remove distractions from
uayigable rivers, and il is expedient that
Congress shoulc exercise such power
whenever such Improvements are neces-
sary for the common defence, and for
the protection and facility of commerce
with foreign powers, or among the States,
said improvements being. IN every in
stance, national and general in their
character.
seventh The Federal and State
Governments are parts Of one system, a.
like necessary for the cdrnmon prosperi.
ty, peace and security;.anG ought to be
regarded alike with cordial, habiual and
immoyable attachment. Respect for the
authority of each and acquiescence in the
Just constitutional measures of each, are
duties required by the plainest consider
aiions OF National, State and individual
welfare.
Eighth. That the series of measures
known as The COMPROMISE. including The
Fugitive Slave Law, are received and
acquiesced in by the whig party of the
United States as a settlement in princi-
pie and subsiance--a final settlement of
the dangerous andexciting subjects which
they embrace, and so far as The Fugitive
Slave Law is concerned, we will main,
tain the same and insist on its strict en-
iorcement until time and experience shall
demonstrate tho necessity of further leg
islalion against evasion or abuses, but
no. impalrlng It's present efficiency, and
we deprecate all future agitation Of the
slavery question as dangerous to our
peace. and we will discountenance all
efforts at the renewal or continuance of
such agitation i'll Congress or out of it,
whenever, wherever or however the at.
tempt may be made, and will maintain
this system ofmeasures as policy es-
sential to the nationality of the whig par
" and the integrity Of the Union.