The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-23
The 0Gisial Platform Of the Wing National
Convention.

The Wings of the United States, in Conven-
ton assembled, firmly adhering to the great con-
sentative republican principles by which they are
controlled and governed, and now, as ever, re-
lying upon the intelligence of the American
people, with an abiding confidence in their
pacty for self government, and their continued
devotion to the Constitution and the Union, do
proclaim the following as the political sentiments
and determinations, for the establishment and
maintenance of which their national organiza
ton az 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 as may be necessary and
proper for carrying the granted powers into full
execution; 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
secure ia their reserved rights, and the general
government sustained in its Constitutional
powers, and the Union should be revered and
watched over as "the palladium Of our lber-
ties"
3. That while struggling freedom, everywhere,
ensts 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 entang-
ling alliances with foreign countries, and of
never quitting our own to stand upon foreign
ground. That our mission as Republic is
! not to propagate our opinions, or impose on
| other countries our form of government by ar
titice or force, but to teach by example, and show
by our success, moderation and justice, the
blessings Of self. government, and the advantages
of free institutions.
A. That where the people make and control
the government they should obey its Constitu
ton, laws, and treaties, as they would retain
their self-respect, and the respect which they
claim and will enforce from foreign powers.
/ g. Government should be conducted upon
principles of the strictest economy, and revenue
sufficient for the expenses thereof, in time Of
peace, ought to be mainly derived from duty
! on imports, and not from direct taxes; and If
Ievying such duties sound policy requires jas
discrimination and protection from fraud by spe
cific duties when practicable, whereby suitable
encouragement may be assured TO American in
dustry, equally TO all classes and to all portions
of the country.
6. The Constitution vests in Congress thu
power to open and repair harbors, and remove
distractions from navigable rivers and it is ex
pedient that Congress shall exercise that powe
,oheneper such improvements are necessary for III
common defence or for The projections r''1 ,c,,,,
2 of commerce with -
-vloIgn nations or among tn
{ States such improvements being, in every il
stance, national and general in their characte
t q The federal ard State governments ar
parts of one system, alike necessary for til
common prosperity, peace and security, an
ought to be regarded alike, with cordial, ha
btua, and immovable attachment. Respect fc
The authority of each, and acquies cence in ii
constitutional measures of each, are d,7tles r
} CURED by the plainest confederation of n ~.
of State, and of individual welfare. 'ooha
8. The series of acts of the 3Ist Co..,
commonly known as the compromise or aS;es,
ment, (the act for the recovery of f,,r;.: 'ulus'