Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1862-07-23
moral and political influence upon the

of the most important meetings ever held
here, for reasons similar to those suggested
by the gentleman who had preceded him.
The resolutions were then all adopted
in IN amended form, as follows:
''Feeling the great weight of our re-
sponsibility rs members of Congress, we
have met in no party spirit, nor for any
party purpose, but for the purpose of de-
iberating and consulting together how we
may best perform our Congressional du-
tics in the present great and perilous crisis
of our country's fate. And we have
come TO the following conclusions, namely:
''First. Resolved, That the Constitu-
tion, the Union and the laws must be pre-
served and maintained in all their proper
and rightful supremacy, and that the re-
belhon now in arms against them must be
suppressed and put down, and that it is
our duty TO vote for all measures necessary
and proper to that end.
''Second. Resolved. That the true in
terests of the country, as well as the die
tates of humanity, require that no more
war or acts of ',ar should be prosecuted
or done than are necessary and proper for
the prompt and complete suppression of
the rebellion.
''Third. Resolved, That the States are
component and essential parts of the
Union bound together inseperablv bv the
Constitution of the United States; that
none of them can cease 10 exist as such so
long as that constitution survives. and that
II Is the exclusive sphere of duty of the
Stut.c 4, a,-,la- i
affairs. While the rebellion, therefore.
has not annullcd or DESTROYED the consti-
tutional latiuns of the so-called 'seccded
States TO the Federal Government. neith-
er has II divested these States of any right
or powers, municipal or otherwise. prop
crty bclongin" to them as members of the
Federal Union. The actual exercise of
these rights, or powers, may for a time be
interrupted or obstructcd by the rebellion.
and some legitimate authority may be
substituted in It's place: but as soon rs
that rebellion is suppressed these States
will he entitled, rs of right, to resume the
exercise of all the ri "hts and powers, dig
mites and ammunitics which properly be-
long to them a. States of this Union
.'Fourth. Resolved. That the present
war. as avowed by the President and
Congress, and understood by the people,
was commenced and prosecuted for the
purpose of supprrsSing the rebellion and
vindicating the Constitution, the Union
and the laws, and for that purpose only.
1t was a great and noble purpose, above
any mere sectional or party objects. and
ut once it inspired and united in its sup
port all loyal men of every creed. party
and section At the call of the Govern
ment, n mighty army, the noblest and
most patriotic, sprung at once into the
field, and is bleeding and conqucring in
the defense of the Government Under
these circumstances it would be most un-
just and ungenerous to give anv new char
actcr or direction to the war, 10 the ac-
complishment of any other than its great
first purpose. and especially for the accom-
plishmcnt of any mere party or sectional
scheme.
"Fifth. Resolved, That the MANY and
great victories lately achieved bv our
armies and navies, whilst they ought TO
convince the world of the vast military
power of our Government, gives us the
pleasing assurance that our deplur.lblc
civil war Will soon he brought TO n close
should the proper objects of the war. as
hereinbefore defined, be kept steadily in
view. When that Is done. and when such
punishment is inflicted on such of the
guilty leaders as will satisfy public Justice
and upon such others a. have made them
selves conspicuous for crimes committed
in the prosecution of the war. it Is our
opinion THAT the Government should adopt
such wise measures of clcmency as will
tend TO bring back cordial reconciliation
and peace to the whole country.
''Sixth. Resolved, That the doctrines
of the seccssionists and of the abolitionists
as the latter are now represented in Con
greSs. are alike false To the Constitution
and irreconcilable with the unity and
peace of the country. The first have al
ready involved us in Il cruel civil war.
and the others, the abolitionists. will
leave to the country but little hope of the
speedy restoration of the Union. or OF
peace. if the schemes of confiscation.
emancipation. and other unconstitutional
measures which they have lately carried.
and attempted to carry through the House
| of Representatives, shall be enacted into
the form of laws, and remain unrebuketl
by the people.
''Seventh. Resolved, That Congress
has no power TO deprive any person of his
property for any criminal offence, unless