The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-02-19

which is our birthright; are desolating our fair
land and carrying sorrow and mourning into In
households;
: And Whereas, -Selfpreservation is the first great
duty of Governments, as well as Of natural per-
sons theretore
X solved, That by the Constitution of the United
States, the President is required to take care that
the laws. Of which the Constitution is the supreme
one, are faithfully executed and to swear or affirm
that he will, to the best OF his ability preserve
protect and defend that Constitution that the
charter of our Union Is not so absurd as to enjoin
upon the Chief Magistrate as duty to De per-
formed at all hazards, that which corresponds
to the right of selfdefense among the natural per-
sons, WITHOUT FULLY AUTHORIZING THE MEANS FOR
DIScOURGING SUCH DUTY that the CONSTITUTION has
not undertaken to DEFINE anu LIMIT Tue MEANS OF
Anticipate DEFINE aud LIMIT the MEANS and MEAS
uRE of ofiense that so far Congress has neither
prescribed the method OF conducting the present
defensive war; nor iimiledi effects. the President,
as Constitutional Commander-in-l,hief of the
Armv and Navy, bound TO direct the conduct, is
upon every principle Of reason and of law vested
with the rights OF deciding upon the means to be
employed and, that it, is our solemn conviction
that he should in the present mcmentous crisis
employ all such means, to defend the Constitution
or speedily subduing treason and rebellion, as the
rules of warfare established among civilized ma
tons do not interdct; and are adapted to the
end desired.
Resolred That to weaken the enemy and
strengthen ourselves by all the means known to
civilized warfare, is duty that neither the price
less blood of our soldiers in the field, nor the
sacredness of the cause. will permit the Admins
tration to neglect
Rssoircd, That to deprive the rebel States and
districts OF 100000 Of black laborers must di-
minish the number of white soldiers they can
hereafter marshal against us, lessen the supplies
for those already i'll the field. cripple the enemy,
diminish the hardships and dangers OF the loyal
soldiers, preserve useful lives, and render success
certain and therefore, we endorse the Procla-
nation of the President OF the United States, is
sued on the first day OF January, 1868, tit and
proper in every point Of view. as a war measnrs;
and in taking this ground the President has dis
charged duty to chr brave and patriotic soldiers,
to free Institutions and to the Constitution itself.
he cond in no wise have omitted, and he Is en-
titled to thanks and support Of all good citizens.
ReS0trtd, That while We mourn over The terrific
sufferings inflicted by this wicked rebellion,
joice in the conviction that God in his wisdom,
will order the commissions of the hour TO pro
mote the interests of humanity and the honor of
the nation, by wiping out the greatest stain upon
our national escutcheon.
hesotcsd. That so long as the rebels, with arms
n.their hands, set atsdehance the Constitution and
laws of the United States, and openly proclaim
their purpore to be the destruction vi the Govern
ment, no terms of compromise or accommodation
can be offered or accepted-unconditional surren-
der Of all armed traitors is the first great law of
national life;
RtsoLged, That while we express our cordial ap-
proval OF the measures of the Administration thus
far we hereby declare our unalterable purpose to
stand by and for the Government and Constitution
of the United States, against all secret enemies
and armed traitors, and with the legally cOustitu.
ted authorities against all sympathzers, croakers
and grumblers, whether we shall consider each fu-
ture get OF the Administration the wisest possible
or not; with or without our choice of measures,
we are for the Goyernment-for law and order, and
for such administration the people by their bal
lots have and shall ordaiu
ResOLced, That while mourning the untmely
death of many noble men murdered BY the rebel
lion, and deploring the expenditure of treasure
which has been necessary, rejoice in the SUBJ
stantial progress made in the war; The coasts and
the rivers Of the rebel districts mostly in pos
session of our armies, our flag waving in every
State hive States and cue Territory longer dis
puted ground our arms ascendant in three other
States Delaware, Western Virginia and Missouri
determining to abolish slavery other localities az
itating for the same purpose, and sending, about
to send loyal representatives to Congress, and the
wall OF restitution coming from all parts Of the So
called Coniederacy, testify to the progress made
While third of the people of the territory once
claimed to belong to the Confederacy no longer
| able to render 1t effective aid and fourth OF all
the me at the outset capable of bearing arms
against the Republic have already persisted in the
whether in men or in money, nearly or quite I'M
diminished; and herein We lind cause to hope for
a complete triumph at no distant day, of our free
institutions over all their enemies.
htsoiUed, That we point with just pride to the
fac, that the Republican Organization has not fur
| nshed one armed traitor for Jefferson Davis,
army nor one sympathzing with the rebellion,
and, while the existence OF the Government IS
threatened patriotic citizens of all parties, in
yited to act with US as the most effective way of
crushing the rebellion and preserving the Govern
ment.
Rtsolred, That the courage, fidelity and fortitude
of soldiers in the field. have conferred great
and imperishable honor upon the State. and they
entitled to all the gratitude of its citizens and
| while extend oar :tlaaSs to the living and our
coincidence to the relatives of the heroic dead, we
pledge our support to all proper Legislative relief,
and will joyfully contribute of our assistance to
prevent unnecessary suffering op their part.
Resotred, That we cepmepd tue candidates nom-
mated by this Convention to the support of the
electors Of. this State capable and honest, true
and loyal. and eminently worthy of their sufrages.
The Conventian then adjourned sine
die.