The daily union., 1852-07-10
PARTY platforms.


times federalism was firm and decided. and not unfrs-
qaently confident OF success when fighting under an
open avowa OF its principles. Bat the continued re-
verses which caused il abandon its real and lawful
name, and the conirlvsnees and alliances has been
forced TO resort in order 10 conlinue the struggle
against democracy. have made Il avoid open decara-
ton OF principles, and rely for success skal use OF
local interests and sectional feelings, rather than trust
TO direct and candid appeal TO The whole coun-
Try. When il was overthrown by General Jackson.
gathered up and collected together all the elements OF
dissatisfaction, and contracted alliances with every fac
on, and made terms with every principle opposed to his
administration. The whig party which was thus com
posed found in its nature and purposes. and in the
strength OF democratic IDEAS the most cogent il not the
most correct Tor not declaring its policy Indeed
was constructed of such heterogeneous materials that
IT is perhaps majority would have
agreed on any platform, while il is absolutely certain
that any platform imbodying the principles and purposes
OF The controlling element OF the whg party would have
been repudialed by vast majority OF the people.
Under such circumstances, it adapted its principles
10 particular localities, and placed itself in such
a position that would give it nothing but the
emolumens OF Office, and, by making the adoption of
definite and distinct policy absolutely necessary, tear il
into fragmsais. By long contact and association
iority OF the wing party became thoroughly tainted with
federalism; for many OF those who joined its ranks be-
of the proclamation and the force bill became the
femes advocates Of centralizng doctrines and the Bit
terest foes to State rights YET late 1910 the
wings did not venture declaration OF principles
They however elected General Harrison. and the Con-
gress which assembled in extra session in the
If . IN fas xuhi
and upon the country the system of policy advocated
by the iederalists That effort frustrated but it
had the effect of revealing the real objects Of the
controlling element and of driving off those who hal
been seduced into the whig ranks by local influences,
deceptive appeals, and false representations The whg
party thus made homogeneous, II was placed
ia position in which ii could lay down platform and,
u certain extent it did lay down platform in the
series Of measures which il attempted to fix on the
try in Isf and 1884, and by the nomination Of Mr. Clay
whose principles well known to make spe-
cfc enumeration unnecessary by the convention OF 1874
The OF 1874 issue OF principle, under cir
the favorable to the whg party for their
leader enjoyed degree OF personal popularity unequaled
by that of any man in the Union 1t was decided in favor
of the democratic party, and that decision marks epoch
in history Inot only completed the victory the
system OF the federalss butt procured the establishment,
by legislative enacments of the democratic ideas OF pub
lie policy That policy has been eminenty successful
yet the whg organization refused TO sustain it, while
feared to declare against it, The whig party went
back to the tactics il pursued up the time when MIR.
Clay was acknowledged as the imbolment of its prnci-
Piles. Awaiting itself OF -commalisn OF the popu-
lary Of Geaera Taylor, and Of fraudulent use OF the
sav cry question, carried the election OF 1s4s but The
victory, like all successes obtained by deception
was merely apparent The wings have enjoyed the
emolumenA Of Office, but they have not been able
to repeal ;he of the democracy nor to enact
their own. Tney abs,aia from direct issue, yet their
whole conduct shows that their hostility to those
ures which overthrow the system advocated by the
ira session is unabaed They who fancy they perceive
abandonment OF federal in the whg platform
deceive themselves. The wings are afraid of an open
issue with the democratic policy which has been emi
nsniy successful, and they dare tell the people what
they have to Offer In the time they utter
equvoca words which the advocates OF monopoliss and
class legislation understand well enough The slavery
question: rather the position OF OF the prominent
whg asprants for the presidency. forced upon the late
Baltimore Wing Convention the unpleasant task OF con-
sruc,ng platform. The friends Of General Scott found
ssance of men who dare give that aid unless
thing given them which should at least puport and
pretend be promise that there should be end of sa
very agitation and aboitionism in the whig ranks The
whg party lhroughouthe whole North bad refused TO sus
tain the Compromise aequiesce in the settlement That
fragment OF il which willing acquesce sustained
either Mr. Flmore or Mr.. Webster--the majority which
refused 10 acquesce rallied around General Scott and
used his potent weapon in the contest IL is
idle to pretend that resolution adopted under such cir
is declaration OF principles, Il is
arrangement-an undertakings bargain--,o accom-.
psh certain purpose. platform is intended to reflect
the views Of party. and is given to the world
pledge that particular views will prevail n the admins
traton il the party which created il is inrusted with
power is notorious that the whg platform does not
fleet the views OF the controlling portion OF the whg
party and that most II is nothing but Intellectual al
tempt to curb the controlling portion OF the whig party,
against its known tendency TO agitation and sectional
strife The nomination OF Gen. Scott was confession
that the platform pre,ence, and a practical
reputation Of the idea that any sancy should attach to
the eighth resolution. The nomination was effected by
men known TO be unfrendy TO that resolution II was
the triumph OF the enemies OF the platform, and was
as much the act OF the convention as the platform
itself The democratic party has always regarded its
platform as a true and candid declaration OF its