The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-06-17
Resolutions Of the National Convention
at Baltimore.

1. Resolved, That It Is the highest duty
of every American citizen to maintain agains
all their enemies the integrity of tho UnIor
and the paramount authority of the Consti
tuition and laws Of the United States. ant
that, laying aside all differences and politica
opinions, we pledge ourselves as Union men
animated by common sentiment and aim
ing at common object, to do everything In
our power to aid the Government in quellnl
by force Of arms the rebellion now raging
against its authority, and in bringing to thu
punishment due to their crimes the rebel
and traitors arrayed against 1t.
2. Resolped, That we approve the deter
mination Of the Government Of tho Unitet
States not to compromise with retels or Il
offer any terms OF peace, except such as may
be based upon an unconditional surrender
of their hostility, and return to their JUS
allegiance TO the Constitution and laws Of
the United States and that We call upor
the Government to maintain this position
and to prosecute tho war with the utmos,
possible vigor, to the complete suppression
Of the rebellion, in full reliance upon the
solf-sacri6ces, the patriotism, and heroic val
or and the undying devotion of the Amer
lean people to their country and its free in
situations.
3. RESOLVED, That as slavery was the cause
and now constitutes the strength Of this re.
belion, and as 1t must be always and every.
where hostile to the principles Of republican
government, Justice and the national safety
demand its utter and complete oxtirpatiou
from the soil of the republic, and that We
uphold and maintain the acts and proclama'
tions by which the Government in its own
defence, has aimed death blow at this 81
gantic evil; we are In favor, furthermore
OF such an amendment TO the Constitution,
to DO mado by tho people, in conformity will,
its provisions, as shall terminate and forever
prohibit the existence Of slavery within
the limits Of the jurisdiction Of the United
States.
4. RESOLVED, That the thanks Of the
American people are due to the soldiers and
sailors Of the army and navy, who have per-
Tiled their lives in defence Of their country
and In vindication of the honor of tho flag ;
that the nation owes t. them some perma-
nent recognition of their patriotism and their
valor, and ample and permanent provision
for those OF their survivors who have receiv-
ed disabling and honorable wounds in the
service of the country; and that the memo
ries of those who have fallen in its defence
shall be held in grateful and everlasting re-
membrance.
S. Resoired, That wo approve and ap-
plaud the practical wisdom, the unselfsh pat
riotism, and answering fidelity to the Con-
stitution and the principles Of American lib
erty with which Abraham Lincoln has dis
charged, under circumstances of unparalleled
difficulty, tho great duties and responsibilities
OF the Presidential Office; that we approve
and endorse, as demanded by the emergency
and essential to the preservation Of tho ma
ton, and rs within the Constitution, tho
measures and acts which he has adopted to
defend the nation against its open and secret
foes; that we approve especially the procla-
nation of emancipation, and the employment
as Union soldiers of men heretofore held in
slavery and that we have full confidence in
his determination to carry these and all other
constitutional measures essential to the SAL
vation Of the country into full and complete
effect.
6. Rcsolued, That we deem it essential to
tho general welfare that harmony should pre-
vail in the national councils, and we regard
rs worthy of public confidence and official
trust those only who cordially indorse the
principles proclaimed in these resolutions, and
which should characterize the administration
of the government.
7. Resolved, That the Government owes
to all men employed in its armies. without
regard 70 distinction Of color, the full pro-
toction Of the laws of war; and that any Vi
olation OF these laws or the usages Of civil
lied nations in the time of war, by the rebels
now in arms, should be made the subject OF
full and prompt redress.
8. Resoiped, That the foreign immigra-
ton which in the past has added 80 much to
the wealth and development Of resources and
increase Of power to this nation, the asylum
of the oppressed of oil nations, should be
fostered and encouraged by liberal and just
policy.
0. Rssoiped. That wo aro in favor of the
speedy construction Of the railroad to the
Pacific.
TO-, Resolved, That the national faith,
pledged for the redemption of the public
dcbt, must DO kept inviolate, and that for
this purpose wo recommend economy and
rigid responsibility in the public expendi-
lures, and All gorous and just system OF tag
alton; that It is the duty Of every loyal
State to sustain tho credit and promote the
use of the national currency.
IL. Resolved, That We approve the posi-
ton taken by the Government, that tho peo.
pie Of tho United States can never regard
with indifference the attempt of any Euro.
pean power to overthrow by force or to sup
plant by fraud the institutions Of any repub.
iican government on the Western Continent,
and that they will view with extreme jeal-
ousy, as menacing to the peace and indepen-
dence Of this our country, the efforts OF any
such power to obtain new footholds for mon
archical governments, sustained by foreign
military force in near proximity to the Unit.
ed States.
Soxx PLAIN FAcrs.-Three years ago the
rebels held firm possession Of all Eastern Vir
ginia, and doggedly disputed the supremacy
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