The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-07-16

who were exposing their lives tor their
country, and who needed and merited its
hearty support, by their acts and declara-
tions tending to promote insubordination
in our armies, and want of confidence in
their commanders, and by their persistent
Representations of all conservative men in
the loyal States, as sympathizers with the
rebels, have given immense aid and COM
fort to the rebel cause, and encouraged
them to hope for ultimate success.
f. That we have seen with indigna-
tion the intimation of the Governor of
Massachusetts, that that State will be slow
in furnishing her quota of troops, unless
the war be carried on for purposes of eman-
cipation. When the nation is straining
every nerve, and pouring out its blood
and treasure like water, to preserve its ex-
istence, it is monstrons that conditional
Unionism that places Abolitionism above
the Constitution, and the success of a
party above the integrity of the Repub
lie, should thus rear its head in high
places and seek to dictate the conduct of
the war.
5. That while we would mete out
merited and legal punishment to the plot
ters of, and leaders in, the rebellion, we
are opposed to the contemplated sweeping
and indiscriminate acts of con6scation and
emancipation, by congressional legislation
or Executive proclamation because:
1st. We do not believe that such acts
would be constitutional.
I'd. We believe that by driving the
rebels to desperation, and converting
Union men at the South into rebels, they
would have the effect to indefinitely pro-
long the war, afford a pretext for foreign
Intervention, and render the restoration
of the Union next to, or quite impossible.
Sd. Because, if practicable and car
ried out they would engender feeling of
bitterness between the different sections
of the Unioh that would not be allayed
for generations to come, and that would be
an ever-present cause of danger and dis
turbance to the public peace, a source of
perpetual weakness in the Government,
and an ever present incentive to foreign
powers to interfere in our domestic con-
cerns and to promote a disruption and
overthrow of the republic
great degree, if not entirely, for many
years to come, the industrial interests of
large section of the country, and most in
juriously effect the interests of the whole
people.
5th. Because the Immediate and indis-
criminate emancipation of the slaves
would be an act of inhumanity to them
9Th Because such an emancipation
would throw upon the border free States
and especially upon Ohio, an immense
number of negroes to compete with, and
underworld, the white laborers of the State
and to constitute, in various ways, an al
most, or quite, unbearable nuisance, if
suffered to remain among US. And we
would deem it most unjust to our gallant
soldiers to see them compelled to free the
negroes of the South and thereby Fill Ohio
with degraded population to compete
with these same soldiers upon their return
to the peaceable avocations of life
6. That, entertaining these views, we
cannot too strongly condemn the refusal
of our General Assembly to prohibit by
law, the immigration Of negroes into this
State.
Z. That are opposed to being taxed
to purchase the freedom of negro slaves
With all due respect for the opinions OF
others, we think that such measure would
be unconstitutional, impolitic and unjust
! 8. That the unparalleled frauds and
peculations upon the government, revealed
by the Investigating committees, and other
wise, demand the sternest condemnation
of every honest man and friend of ths
country, and call for the severest punish
ment prescribed by the laws.
/ 9. That the patriotism, courage ant
skill manifested by our armies has neve,
been exceeded in the history of the world
and deserves and receives our highest ad
marathon and gratitude.
10. That the refusal of the General AS
sembly to permit our gallant soldiers il
the field the right to vote, was great ant
unjustifable wrong to them, that ough
not to have been committed
1 II. That while we will, as heretofore
discourage all mere factious opposition t.
4 the Admin stration, and will continue t.
! give our earnest support to all prope
measures to put down the rebellion, ant
will make all the allowances that the ne
Icessities of the case require of good citi
! zens, we protest against all violations 0
the Constitution.
i IL. That we hold sacred, as we do al
other parts of that instrument, the follow
ling provisions of the Constitution of tn
: United States:
| THE trial of all crimes, except in case
ofimpeachment, shall be by jury; and sucl
trial shall have been committed"
!, Congress shall make no law respectin
an establishment of religion, or prohibitin
the free exercise thereof; or abridging tn
: freedom of speech, OF of the press; or tn
7 right of the people peaceably to assemble
and to petition the government for re
dress of grievances.
r ''The powers not delegated to the Unite
: States by the Constitution, nor prohibite
D by it to the States, are reserved to tn
States respectively, or to the people.
n "The right of the people to be secure
n their persons, houses, papers and effec
: against unreasonable searches and seizure
e shall not be violated, and no warrant sha
n issue but upon probable cause, supporte
|, by oath or affirmation, and particular
o Edescrihincr the nlace to he searched an