Daily national era., 1854-03-01
THE WHIG PLATFORM.
ADOPTED AT BALTIMORE, JUNE 8, 1859.

1
The Wings Of the United States, in
Convention assembled, firmly adhering to
the great conservative republican princi-
pies 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 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 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"
LII. 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 bis 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 arti6ce 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 duty on imports,
and not from direct taxes; and, in levying
such duties, sound policy requires a 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 conn
try.
vi. The Constitution vests in Congress
The power to open and repair harbors, and
remove distractions from nasigable rivers;
and it is expedient that Congress shall ex-
ercise that power whenever such improve
ments are necessary fw 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 aud general in their
character.
VII. The Federal and State Govern
ments are parts Of one system, alike me-
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 3lst
Congress, commonly known as the Com
promise or Adjustment, (the act for the
recovery of fugitiyes from labor included, }
are received and acquiesced in by the
Wings Of the United States as final set
Element, in principle and substance, Of the
subjects to which they relate; and so far