The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-07-04
Mooting OF tho Conservative Nom
bers OF Congress.

A meeting OF the conservative members OF
Congress was held in the Hall Of the House
of Representatives the 2sth ult. The Presi-
dent Of the meeting was Hon. John j. Crit
enden, Of Kentucky.
The meeting adopted series Of eight re-
solves. The first declares that the Union,
the Constitution and the laws must be pre-
served. and the rebellion suppressed. The
second resolution depreeates the prosecution
of any more war, or acts Of war, than is
necessary for the complete suppression Of the
rebellion. The next declares that the States
arc component and essential parts OF the
Union; that so long as the Constitution
survives, none of them can cease to exist
While the rebellion has not annullcd or do
stroyed the Constitution or relations OF the
so-called seeded States to the Federal
Government, neither has it Invested them Of
any Of the rights belonging to them rs men,
bcrs OF the Federal Union. The actual ex-
vrcise OF these rights may DO interrupted by
the rebellion, but rs coon as the rebellion is
suppressed, these States will be entitled Of
right to resume all rights, powers and digni'
ties properly belonging to them as States OF
the Union. The fourth declares that the
present war, as ayowed by Congress and the
President, was commenced for the purpose of
suppressing the rebellion, preserving and
vindicatiug the Constitution, the Union and
the laws, and for that purpose only. The
fifth resolution declares that the many and
great victories of our army and navy, whilst
they ought to convince the world Of the vast
military power Of our Government, give us
pleasing assurances that the war will soon
close. 1t then declares in favor Of punish
ing such Of the guilty leaders of the rebel
lion as will satisfy public justice after this.
measures Of clemency should be adopted
We give the remaining resolutions in full
G. Resolved. That the doctrines OF seces-
sionists and abolitiouists, as the latter are
now represented in Congress, are alike false
10 the Constitution and irreconcilable with
the peace and unity Of the country. The
first have already involved us in this cruel
civil war, and the abOlitiOnists will leave to
the country bat little hope of the speedy res
toration OF the Union or peace, II schemes
of coniiscation, emancipation and other UNI
constitutional measures, which they lately
carried and attempted to carry through the
House Of Representatives, shall DO enacted
under the form Of laws, and remain unre-
baked by the people.
7. Rssolred, That Congress has no power
to deprive any person OF his property for any
criminal offence unless that person has been
duly convicted by the verdict Of a jury. That
all acts of Congress like those lately passed
by the House Of Representatives. which as
semblcd TO forfeit OF confiscatc the estates OF
men for offences of which they have not been
convicted upon duo trial by jury, are uncon-
stitutional and lead to oppression and tyran-
ny. Ii is no justification for su;h acts that
crimes committed IN prosecution Of the
rebellion are unexampled atrocities, nor
is there any such Justification Us State neces-
sty known to our Government or laws.
3. Resoired. That the foregoing resolu-
tons are an explanation and reaffrmment OF
the resolutions passed in the extra session OF
the present Congress, known as the Critten-
den resolutions, and which declared that the
war is not waged on our part in any spirit
of oppression. nor for any purpose OF con.
quest or subjugation. nor for the purpose of
oyerthrowing or interfering with the rights
Of these States, but to defend and maintain the
supremacy Of the Constitution and to pre-
serve the Union with all the dignity, equality
and rights Of the several States unimpaired
and that as SION as these objects are accom-
plished, the war ought to cease.
A committee was appointed to superintend
tho publication Of, and procure signatures
to the resolutions.
We are glad to say that only thirty.6ve
members attended this meeting.