Carroll Free Press

Whig Platform.

The Platform: The Whigs of the United States in convention assembled adhering to the great conservative republican principles by which they are controlled and governed, and now as ever relying upon the intelligence of the American people with an abiding confidence in their capacity for self government, and their continued devotion to the constitution and the Union, proclaim the following as political sentiments, and determination for the establishment and maintenance of which the national organization as a party is affected.

First.—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.

Second.—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.

Third.—That while struggling freedom everywhere enlists the warmest sympathy of the Whig 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 alliance with foreign countries, and of never quitting our own to stand on foreign ground, that our mission as a republic is not to propagate our opinions or impose on other countries, our form of government by artifice 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.

Fourth.—That where the people make and control the Government they should obey its constitution, laws, and the ties as they would retain their self respect and the respect which they claim and will enforce from foreign powers.

Fifth.—Government should be conducted on principals of strictest economy, and revenue sufficient for the expenses there in time of peace ought to be derived from a duty on imports and not from direct taxes; and in laying such duties, sound policy requires a just discrimination, whereby suitable encouragement may be afforded to American Industry, equally to all classes and all portions of the country.

Sixth.—The Constitution vests in Congress the power to open and repair harbors; and it is expedient that Congress should exercise its power to remove obstructions from navigable rivers wherever such improvements are necessary for the common defence, and for the protection and facility of commerce with foreign nations or among the States,—said improvements being in every instance national and general in their character.

Seventh.—The Federal and State Governments, are parts of one system alike, necessary for the common prosperity, peace and security and ought to be regarded alike, with a cordial, habitual, immoveable attachment. respect for the authority of each and acquiescence in the constitutional measures of each, are duties required by the plainest consideration of National, of State, and of individual welfare.

Eighth.—That the series of acts of the 31st Congress, the act known as the fugitive slave law included are received and acquiesced in by the Whig party of the United States, as a settlement in principle and substance of the dangerous and exciting questions which they embrace, and so far as they are concerned, we will maintain them, and insist on their strict enforcement until time and experience shall demonstrate the necessity of further legislation to guard against the evasion of the laws on the one hand and the abuse of their powers on the other, not impairing their present efficiency, and we deprecate all further agitation on the questions thus settled as dangerous to our peace, and will discountenance all efforts to continue or renew such agitation wherever or however the attempt may be made; and we will maintain this system as essential to the nationality of the Whig party and the integrity of the Union.