The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-01 00:00:00

The Philadelphia Convention.

NEW Your., Aug. 17.
The papers publish extended accounts of the pro-
ceedings of the National Union Convention at
Philadelphia. The convention finally adjourned
on the 16th, after the adoption of the following de-
claration of principles :
" The convention now assembled in the city of Phila-
delphia, composed of delegates from every State and terri-
tory in the 'Union, admonished by the solemn lessons of the
last five years, which it nas pleased the Supreme Ruler of
the universe to give to the American people, profoundly
grateful for the return of peace, desirous as a large majo-
rity of their countrymen in all sincerity to forget and for-
give the past, revering the constitution as it comes to us
from our ancestors, regarding the Union in its restoration
as more sacred than ever, looking with deep anxiety to the
future as of instant and continuing trial, hereby issue and
proclaim the following declaration of principles and pur-
poses, on which they have with perfect unanimity agreed :
44 1. 'We hail with gratitude to Almighty God the end of
the war, and the return of peace to an afflicted and beloved
land.

"2. The war just closed has maintained the authority of
the constitution with all the powers which it confers, and
the restrictions which it imposes upon the Government, and
it has preserved the Union, with the equal rights, dignity,
and authority of the States, perfect and unimpaired.
" 3. The representation in the Congress of the United
States and in the Electoral College is a right recognised
by the constitution as abiding in every State, and is a
duty imposed on its people, fundamental in its nature, and
essential to the ( xistence of our representative interests,
and confers no authority or power to deny this right to
any State, or to withhold its enjoyment under the consti-
tution from the people thereof.
" 4. That we call upon the people of the T_Tnited States
to elect to Congress as members men hitherto known to
admit this fundamental right of representation, and who
will receive the loyal representatives from every State in
allegiance to the United States, subject to the constitu-
tional right of each house to judge of the election qualifi-
cation and returns of its own members. _ _ _

"5. The constitution of the United States and the laws
made in pursuance thereof are the supreme law of the land,
anything in the constitution or law of any of the States to
the contrary notwithstanding ; all powers not conferred
by the constitution or the general Government are re-
served to the States and the people unrestrictedly. Among
the rights thus reserved to the States is the right to pre-
scribe the qualifications for elective franchise therein,
which right Congress cannot interfere with. No State or
convention of States has the right to withdraw from the
Union, or to exclude, through their action in Congress or
otherwise, any Stato or States from the Union. The
Union of these States is perpetual.
" 6. Such amendments to the constitution of the United
States may be made by tho people theoreof as they may
deem expedient, but only in the mode pointed out by its
resolution, and proposing such amendments, whether by
Congress or Convention ; and in ratifying the same all the
States of the Union have an equal and indefensible right
to a voice and vote thereon.
"7. Slavery is abolished, and for ever prohibited ; and
there is neither desire nor purpose on the part of the
Southern States that it should ever be re-established upon
the soil or within the jurisdiction of the United States ;
and the enfranchised slaves in all the States of the Union
should receive, in common with all their inhabitants, equal
protection in every right of person and property.
" 8. While we regard as utterly invalid, and never to bo
assumed or made of binding force, any obligation incurred
or undertaken in making war against the United States, we
hold the debt of the nation to be sacred and inviolable,
and we proclaim our purpose in discharging this, as in per-
forming all other national obligations, to maintain unim-
paired and unimpeached the faith of the Republic.
"9. It is the duty of the national Government to recog-
nise the services of the Federal soldiers and sailors in the
contest just closed, by meeting promptly and fully all their
just and rightful claims for the services they have rendered
the nation, and by extending to those of them who have
survived, and to the widows and orphans of those who
have fallen the most gracious and considerate care.
"10. In Andrew Johnson, Presidentof the United States,
who in his great office has proved steadfast in his devotion
to the constitution, the laws, and interests of his country,
unmoved by persecutions and undeserved reproach, we
tender to him our cordial and sincere support."
After a vote had been taken on the adoption of the fore-
going Declaration of Principles, it was found that the
seventh one had been omitted by accident, and this fact
was announced by Senator Doolittle.
It was then read, and adopted with great applause and
unanimity. _ _ _

The Declaration of Principles was then adopted, with
enthusiastic cheers.

THE ADDR ES S.

Mr. Raymond then proceeded to read the Address, which
was received with continued applause, and at the close of
the reading, Ex-Governor Perry, of South Carolina, rose
and moved its adoption. The motion was declared carried
unanimously, amid prolonged cheering. The following is
the address:—