Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-06-26
WHIG NATIONAL CONVENTION.
AFTERNOON sEssIoN-FnpAr, JUNE IS, 1852

SAoSn'
On motion the reading OF the proceedings OF the morn
ing session was dispensed with.
Mr. AsHMuN, of Massachusetts,, rose and said Mr..
President am instructed by the COMMITTEES Of from
each State who charged with the duty q repaFtnG
to this Convention series Of resolutions ~ tAe
rspa-4 wh1cn hold in my hand. An44Deg Asswe TO
say that after much deiberation conducted with the
kndest and most conciatory feelings that report has
been adopted with very great although not entire unan-
unity. Applause
With the leave Of the Chair will myself because Of the
hasty manner in which they have been drawn up take
position in front of the Chair and read the resolutions
which have been instructed to present.
Mr. A. then proceeded to the elevated platform in front
of the Presidents chair and read the following the
Convention
THE WHIG PLATFORM.
The Whigs of the United States in Convention
bed firmly adhering to the great conservative Republ
principles by which they controlled and governed
and now ever relying upon the intelligence of the Ame
rican people, with an abiding confidence in their capaci
" self government and their continued devotion the
Constitution and the Unon do proclaim the following
the political sentiments and determinations for the estab
ishment and maintenance Of which their national organi
cation as party is effected:
l. The Government of the United States is of limited
character and it is confined to the exercise Of
expressly granted by the Constitution and such may
be and proper for carrying the granted
into full execution and that all powers not thus granted
necessarily implied expressly reserved to the States
respectively and to the People.
2. The State Governments should be held secure in
their reserved rights and the General Government
tanned in its constitutional powers and the Union should
be revered and watched the palladium of
iberties"
the warmest sympathy of the Wing party still adhere
to the doctrines of the Father of his Country,
nounced in his Farewell Address, Of keeping ourselves
free from all entangng alliances with foreign countries
NJ npy oura awn IN and npn rpiUu
ground That mission Republic is not to propa
gate opinions impose other countries form
by arfce force but teach by example
and show by success, moderation and justice, the
blessings Of segovernment and the advantages Of free
institutions
T. That where the people make and control the Govern
ment they should obey its constitution laws and treaties
they would retain their sefrespec and the respect
which they claim and viii enforce from foreign Powers
8. Government should be conducted upon principles.
Of the strctcst economy and sucient for the
expenses thereof in time Of peace ought be mainly
derived from duty imports and not from direct taxes
and in levyng such duties, sound policy requires just
discrimination and protection from fraud by specific du-
ties when practicable whereby suitable encouragement
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 distractions from
navgabe rivers andit expedent that Congress should
exercise that power whenU such improvements
~ for the defence for the protection and faculty g
with foreign nations among the Statessuch
eral in their character.
7. The Federal and State Governments are parts of
one SYSTEM alike necessary for the prosperity
peace and security and ought to be regarded alike with
a cordial habtual and mmovabe attachment Respect
for the authority Of each and acquescence in the
sttutional of EACH are duties required by
the painest considerations Of National Of State and Of
individual welfare.
g. The series of acts of the Thirty first Congress-
monty known the compromise or adjustment (the act
for the recovery Of fugves from labor included are re-
IN bv the nf ted
States as final settlement in principle and substance Of
the subjects which they relate and so far as these
acts are concerned we will maintain them and insist on
their strict enforcement until time and experience shall
the necessity Of further legislation guard
against the evasion of the laws the hand and the
abuse Of their powers the oher-not mpairing their
present efficiency to carry out the requirements OF the
Constitution and deprecate all further agitation Of
the questions thus settled dangerous TO peace and
win discountenance oil efforts to continue such
agitation whenever wherever, however made and we
will maintain this settlement essential TO the natona
ty Of the whg party and the integrity Of the Union
The reading Of these resolutions was repeatedly inter
ruped by applause and other enthusiastic marks Of ap-
probation which long protraced and accompanied
by loud and general cheering when the reading Of the
last resolution concluded.
Then there was general call for Mr.. CHoATE, of Mas
sachusetts in response to which
Mr. CHOATE said that he did not know that he had
apprehended the exact terms of the last resolution in the
platform read but he did understand 1t to assert
generally and strongly the fnalty Of the compromise
measures including the fugitive slave law and to depre
cate further political governmental agitation OF slavery
SO understanding it. he hastened to rise to thank God
that sentiment he had ofen in form or another
urged elsewhere seemed likely by an approach
to unanmity to be adopted and promulgated by that
authority among the highest which he recognised, the
National Wing Party Of the United States in General Con-
vention assembled
Sir said he why should not this organ Of one Of the
great national parties which, pervadng the country while
they divide the people, confirm the Union-for hold
that these party organizations wisely and morally ad-
mnisered, are among the most powerful instrumental
ties OF unionhere now and thus declare that in its judg
ment, the further agitation Of the subject Of slavery be
excluded from and forbidden in the national politics 7
Why should it not declare that If agitation continue
it shall be RENTED to the forum Of philanthropy ofera-
ure Of the press ofseconal organisation Of fanaticis
organized unorganzed but that the Federal Govern
ent has in this field closed its labors and rerescav
ing TO the rmness Of permanent Judiciary to execute
what the Legislature has ordanedf
Why should we engage ourselves to the fnaty Of
the entire series Of Of compromised Does any
member Of this body believe that the interests Of the ma
tion-the interests Of humanityour highest interests
our loftest dutes-require attempt to disturb them
Was Il needfu TO pass them Did not moral necessity
compel t2 Who now doubts this do not deny that
good men have done SO, and do. am quite well
svare That fapatcism has doubted IT, has affected 10