Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-11-11
DECLARATION.
/. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE.

/. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE.
The present. more than any previous
time, admOnishes Us to recognize, in the
proclamation of equal human rights by
the Declaration of independence, the
only true fundamental law of republican
life, unfortunately disregarded already in
the Constitution and still more in party
politics. To establish and preserve the
harmony between the Constitution. as
well as politics, and the fundamental law,
is the only means of putting an end TO
the fatal consequences of that disregard,
and of converting an ostensible republic
into a true one.
II. THE QUESTION OF SLAVERY AND THE WAR.
In the terrible war against the slave
holders rebellion, the Republic must atone
for the great guilt of her past, but at the
same time seek radical means for the Sc
curiIy of her future. Without this under
standing and this resolve the Republic
would infallibly work her own destruction.
Therefore, every policy must be pernic-
ious which does not respond 10 the fol-
lowing demands:
!. Under no circumstances can a peace
able agreement or compromise with the
rebellion be adopted The rebellion can
not, in consequence of its position as a
oelligerent power, conceded by'the Fed
eral Government and foreign powers, lose
the nature OF the crime OF high treason,
and it can, therefore, be terminated only
by unconditional submission.
2. The security OF peace Is only attain
able in the removal OF the cause of the
war, /. e., of slavery. For this reason the
Confscation law should be strictly en-
forced, and the proclamation of the lst of
January, 1868, be maintained TO the full
est extent, and, besides, in the territories
not included in this proclamation, posi-
tive decision on the abolition of slavery,
whether by voluntary action of the States
concerned, or by law of Congress. or by
a military act, should, in the shortest
time possible, be brought on. The repeal
of the Fugitive Slave Law should be one
of the first acts of the next Congress.
Rebellion and secession are the for
feiture of the rights of State sovereignty,
and empowered Congress to place the re-
conquered, rebellious territories under its
own direct administration, until a con-
dition harmonifAg with that of the free
and loyal States has been re-established.
4. The lands confscated by the United
States Government during the war, should
be given in small portions only to actual
settlers, as far as they have been granted
to the soldiers of the Republic and to the
liberated slaves.
III. REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
The Constitution of the United States
requires revision, in the spirit of the
Declaration of Independence, and in &C.
cordance with the principles herein es-
poused.
~. POPLAR EDUCATION N The SOUTH AND
COLONIZATION OF THE NEGkoEs.
The want of education in the masses of
the people is one of the main levers in the
hands of the secessionists, shareholders
and all enemies of the Republic. Con-
gress should, therefore, take care of popu-
lar education not only among the liber-
ated slaves, but also among the rebels, in
all the reconquered territories under its
jurisdiction.
The foreign colonization of the negroes
would neither be benefit to them nor an
advantage to the country, while their set
tlement as free laborers on the confsca-
ted lands ill bear better fruits to the ma
ton and to liberty than the former do
m ain of their traitoroUs masters.
v. FOREIGN POLICY.
Peace and amicable relations with
friendly nations, undisguised sympathy
with the liberal tendencies of every peo-
pie, but energetic resistance against any
of despotic government, es-
pecially with regard to the Monroe doc
trine, should bs tbs rule Of eur foreign |
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