Daily national era., 1854-01-06
THE WHIG PLATFORM.
ADOPTED AT BALTIMORE, JUNE 8, 1859


The Wings of the United States, in
Convention assembled, firmly adhering to
the great conservative republican princi-
plies by which they are controlled and gov
erned, and now. as ever, relying upon the
intelligence Of the American people, with
an abiding confidence in their capacity for
self-goyernment and their continued devo-
ton 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 organization as party is
effected:
|. The Government of the United States
is Of limited character, and il 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 thusgranted or neces-
sarily implied are expressly reserved to
the States respectively and to the people.
III. The State Governments should be
held secure in 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 liberties"
iii. That while struggling freedom,
everywhere, enlists the warmest sympathy
Of the Wing party, we still adhere to the
doctrines Of the Father of his Country, as
announced in his Farewell Address, Of
keeping ourselves free from all entangling
alliances with foreign countries, and Of
never quitting our own to stand upon for
eign ground. That our mission as Re-
public is not to propagate our opinions,
or impose on other countries our form Of
government, by artifce or force, but to
teach by example, and show by our sue
cess, moderation, and Justice, the bless
ings Of selfgoyernment and the adyan-
tages Of free institutions,
Nv. That where the people make and
control the Government, they should obey
its constitution, laws, and treaties, as they
would retain their self-respect, and the re-
spect which they claim and will enforce
from foreign powers.
v. 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 a duty on imports,
and not from direct taxes; and, in lcvying
such duties, sound policy requires just
discrimination and protection from fraud
by specific duties, when practicable,
whereby suitable encouragement may be
assured to American industry, equally to
all classes and TO all portions Of the coun-
try.
vi. The Constitution vests in Congress
The power to open and repair harbors, and
remove distractions from nayigable rivers
and it is cxpedient that Congress shall ex
ercise that power whenever such improve
menfs are necessary for the common defence
or for The protection and facility Of COM
merce with foreign nations or among the
States /; such improvements being, in every
instance national and general in their
character.
VII The Federal and State Govern
ments are parts Of one system, alike ne
cessary for the common prosperity, peace,
and security and ought to be regarded
alike with cordial, habitual, and immova-
BILE attachment. Respect for the authority
Of each, and acquiescence in the constitu-
tional measures of EACH are duties re-
quired by the plainest considerations Of
National, Of State, and individual welfare.
VIII. The series Of acts Of the 31st
Congress, commonly known as the Com
promise or Adjustment, (the act for the
recovery Of ffugitives from labor included,)
are received and acquiesced in by the
Wings Of the United States as final set
tlement, in principle and substance, Of the
subjects to which they relate; and SO far