The Nevada journal., 1852-10-22
WHIG NATIONAL PLATFORM.

WHIG NATIONAL PLATFORM
The Wings of the United States, in Con-
yention assembled. adhering to the great
conservative republican principles by which
they arc controlled and governed, and now,
as ever, relying upon the intelligence of the
American people. with an abiding confidence
in their capacity for self-governmcnt, and
their continued devotion to the constitution
and the Union, proclaim the following as
| political sentiments and determination, for
the establishment and maintenance of which
their national organization as u party is cf-
fectcd
! L. The government of the United States is
of limited character and it is confined to
the exercise of powers expressly granted by
| the constitution, and such as NAV be neces-
sary and proper for carrying the granted
powers into full execution, and that all DOW
crs not thus granted or necessarily implied,
are expressly reserved 20 the States rcspec-
lively and to the people.
| 2. The State governments should be held
secure in their reserved rights, and the Gen
eral Government sustained in its constitu-
tional powers, and the Union should be re-
vered and watched over as the palladium
of our liberties"
3. That while struggling freedom, every
where, enlists the warmest sympathy Of the
Wing party, we still adhere to tLe doctrines
of the Father of his country, as announced
in his Farewell Address, of keeping our
selves free from all entanging alliances with
foreign countries, and of never quitting our
own to stand upon foreign ground. That
our mission as Republic is not TO propa-
gate onr opinions or impose on other coun-
tries our form CT government, by artifice or
force, but to teach by example, and show by
our success, moderation, and justice, the
blessings of sef.governmcnt, and the advan-
tagcs Of free institutions.
a, That where the people make and con-
troll the Government, they should obey its
constitution, laws and treaties as they would
retain th,r self-rcspcct, and the respect
which they claim and will enforce from for
eign powers.
5. Government should be conducted on
principles of strictest economy, and revenue
sufficient for the expenses thereof 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 a
inst discrimination, whereby suitable encour-
agement may be afforded to American indus
try, 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 it is
expcdient that Congress should exercise its
power to remove distractions from naviga-
. bic rivers, wheneuer such Improvements are ne
car yJor The common defence and for the pro-
lection and facility Of commerce with for.
eign nations or among the S .ates said i'm.
, provemcnts being, in every instance, nation
, al and general in their character.
EnJo
are parts of one system, alike necessary for
: the common prosperity, peace and security
and ought to be regarded alike, with a cor
dial, habitual and immovable attachment
Respect for the authority of each, and acqui
escence in the constitutional mef surcs o.
each, arc duties required by the plaihest con
sideration of national, of State, and of ndi.
vidual welfare.
, Resoived, That the series of acts of the 81 81
3 Congress, the act known as the Fugitive
, Slave Law included, are received and acqui
esced in by the Wing party of the United
J, States, as settlement in principle and sub
stance of the dangerous and exciting ques
tiOns which they embrace, and, so far as they
are concerned, we will maintain them ant
insist upon their strict enforcement unit
tims and experience shall demonstrate tho
necessity of further legislation, to guart
against the evasion of the laws on the on,
: hand, and the abuse of their powers on tn,
t other, not impairing their present efficiency
. and we deprecate all further agitation of tn,
slavery question as dangerous to our peace
I and will discountsuance all efforts at tn,
renewal or countenance of such agitation il
Congress, or out of it, whenever, wherever
and however the attempt may be made ant
we will maintain this system of measures as
a policy, essential to the nationality of the
: Wing party, and the integrity of the Union