Platforms

The ‘‘first platform ever adopted by a national convention’ was that of a ‘‘ national a embly of young men,’’ held at Washington in May, 1832, to indorse the nomination of Clay by the National Republican party. In 1844 both the Whigs and the Democrats drew up a ‘‘ platform,’’ but in 1848 the Whigs refused to commit themselves by a platform. After this the adoption of party platforms by national conventions became general..