Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-02-24
Connecticut Democratic State Convention

The following are the resolutions adopted by
the Democratic State Convention of Connecti-
cut, which met at Hartford on Wednesday, Feb.
I8:
WHEREAs. II is the privilege and the duty Of
free people, living under the guarantees Of q
written Constitution, which combines the pro-
visions Of an organic law with the great princi.
pies Of federation and fraternity, to frankly
and fearlessly assert their rights; to freely can.
vass the acts of their appointed servants, and
to reaffirm the great truths which underlie the
Government, ami upon which for three quarters
of century have securely rested the liberties
Of the people; and
WHEREAS, The present administration of th Q
General Government has for nearly two years
been in armed collision with the people of more
than one.third Of the States composing the Con-
federscy, and in the prosecution of the existing
war has assumed powers utterly at variance
with the letter and spirit Of the Constitution of
the United States; Il becomes US, as the repre-
sentatIves Of the conservative people Of Con-
necticut, while reassertiDg our determination
to adhere to the true principles upon which our
Union Is founded, and proclaiming our devotion
to the Constitution, to firmly but temperately
condemn the errors of our public officers; and
whereas the Administration Of Abraham Lin
coin has violated the Constitution of the United
States in many Of Its most important particulars;
therefore,
Resolued, 1st, That the United States are a
Confederacy of States, coequal in sovereignty
and political power; independent in their sev eral
organizations, and reserving to each all rights
NOT granted by the Constitution to the central
Government.
I'd. That while az citizens of Connecticut we
assert our devotion to the Constitution and the
Union, and will hereafter, as we have hereto
fore, support with zeal and energy the authori-
ties Of the United States in the full constitu
tional exercis0of their powers, we deliberate
ly avow that the liberties Of the people are
menaced by Congressional and Federal usurpa.
tions, and can only be preserved by the energet-
ic action OF State authority; and we are deter.
mined to maintain and defend the honor of our
State aud the right, Of her people.
Sd. That while We denounce the heresy Of
secession as undefended and unwarranted by the
Constitution, we as confidently assert that,
whatever may heretofore have been the opinion
of our countrymen, the time has now arrived
when all tue lovers Of the Constitution are
ready to abandon the "monetrous fsllacy" that
the Union can be restored by the armed hand;
| and are anxious to inaugurate such action, hon
orable alike to the contending sections, as will
stop the ravages of war, avert universal bank.
ruptcy, and unite all the States upon terms Of
equality, rs members OF one confederacy.
4th. That the Democracy of Connecticut,
sympathizing with their conservative brethren
of the Middle and Western States, pledge
themselves to unite with them in the adoption
of all honorable measures having In view the
cessation of hostilities between the North and
South; the reconstruction Of the Union on such
terms as shall thoroughly define the rights oi
the States; the re production Of those fraterua
feelings which form the true foundation of the
federation, and the erection upon more en-
during basis Of the temple Of the Constitu
tion. t
5th. That the militia Of Connecticut are ths
natural guardians of the liberties of her peo
pie, subject to the control of her chief execu
tive officer, acting under and by authority Of tn,
laws of the State; and any and all acts n th,
Congress of the United States violative Of ths
sovereignty Of the STATE in relation thereto
should receive the execraton Of people justly
jealous of their liberties,
"Who know1heir rights, and
Knowing dare maintain"
9Th. That the militia bill recently inIroducet
! ia