Political visions of the Whig and Democratic Parties

In the antebellum era, the main two political parties were the Whigs and the Democrats. Compare and contrast the competing political visions of the Whig and Democratic Parties. How did their party bases differ? How were their economic programs different? What were their respective positions on slavery? Which party do you think had the most balanced politically? What part of their platforms did you find the most or least persuasive?