Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-08-09
Mhig PIntform oC 1852


We present below the plank of the Nationa
Wing Platform of 1852 on the subject of the
Fugitive Slave Law 1t was sound plank
ands as good this day as it was in 1852 Here
it is.
Resolred, That the series of acts of the
Thirty-first Congress-the act knoion as The
tugitice LdC inciuded-are received and ac
9uieseed in by the Wing party of the United
States as q settlement, in principle and sub
stance, of the dangerous and exciting ques.
tions which they embrace; and so far as they
are concerned, oe WiH maintain them, and
insist upon their enforcement until time and
experience shall demonstrate the necessity OF
further legislation to guard against the era
SION Of the tdiCS on the one hand and the
abuse Of their pOI1ers on the other, not i'm
pairing their present efficiency, and we de-
precate all further agitation of the question
thus settled as dangerous TO our peace, and
will discountenance all efforts to continue or
renew such agitation, whenever, wherever or
however the attempt may be made; and we
will maintain the system as essential to the
nationality Of the Wing party and the integ-
rity Of the Union.
The above resolution is part Of the plat
form which the Wings of this section endorsed
in 1852, by casting their votes for WINFIELD
scoTT, as well as by resolutions in public
meetings, They then stood by the laws of the
land the open and avowed enemies of section.
asm. National men as they were then, they
endorsed National doetrines;-they upheld
the compromise measures, and sustained the
gallant men, who, casting aside party differ
ences, and laboring only for the whole coun-
try, were instrumental in securing their pass
age by Congress. Ready to obey all the re-
quirements of the Federal Constitution, they
hesltated not to endorse an act intended to
carry out one of its requirements. Loving
the Union, and regarding the citizens of the
Southern States as brethren in fact as well as
name the Wings of Ohio cheerfully pledged
themselves tol ''maintain" measure afford.
ing but justice to the South, and calculated to
strengthen the friendly feeling between the
sections
Such was the position occupied by the
Wings eight years ago; but such, we fear,
is not the position occupied to-day by the
great mass of those who formed the Whig
party in 1852 A few, comparatively, it is
true, yet cling to the old faith-stand by the
doctrines which they advocated then The
great mass, however, judging from their course
during the last few years, and it is the only
way we can judge them, have gradually, and
perhaps impercephbly to themselves, forsaken
their former position, and are now found bat
Ting in the ranks Of party, and under the
leadership of men, whose greatest strength
consists in their hostility to the South The
CLAYs and WEBsTERs have been given up for
the SRwARDs and the CHAsEs;-the old Wing
Union banner has been hauled down, and in
its place now floats the sectional flag of Re
publicanism-an many of the very men who
but eight short years ago, pledged themselves
10 'maintain" one Of the Constitutional re-
quirements, by enforcing the provisions of the
Fugitive Slave Act are now active supporters
Of party who have made it, in this State, a
prominent portion of their creed to denounce
this same law "as contrary TO the plainest du
ties ofhumanity and justice, and as abhorren
to the moral sense of the civilized world"
These men in 52 claimed to be honest
and actuated by principle they make simi
lar claim now, although occupying. q position
directly the reverse from what they then oc