The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1865-09-23

| rebellion, to their constitutional oblga.
tons ! cannot admit that their ordi.
nanccs of secession took any of them out
of the Union. For time an armed
force interrupted their constitutional
functions. but did not destroy their iden.
tity as States. Hence the States, in
their political signiGcation. not having
| been destroyed, they need no rcconstruc.
ton. but simply to be restored to their
reciprocal rights and duties whcu
! the Union will be made whole as before
Whenever they shall send representa-
tivrs tn Congress who are qualified by
the Constitution, aud the laws Of the re.
srective states. there is no rightlul pow
cr in that bod y to refuse their admission.
| appreciate the peculiar and trying
situation Of the President, and think he
should be treated with forbearance by
all parties. His plan Of restoration
gives evidence that he does not intend
to ignore the rights OF the States, and
be led cap'ive by the radical doctrine Of
consolidation.
The Convention did we'll to odemand an
immediate and complete restoration OF
all civil rights in the loyal States. If
there was an excuse Tor Withholding
them in the days Of rebellion, there Ger.
iainlv can De none now. You say to the
President firmly and kindly, restore to
the people the haLeps corpus and
trial by jury, as fully as they were en-
j"ye1 before the rebellion, aud abolish
military courts except for the trial Of
persons in the naval or military service
of the United States. These things are
granted to the people by the Constitu-
ton, and Withholding them violates it in
spirit in the fact. When we ask that
they DE restored, we only demand what
belongs TO us.
am in favor Of the most rigid system
of economy in the administration Of pub
lie affairs. In view of the heavy taxa
ton there should be entrenchment in
every possible way. All officers, civil
and military, whose services n state Of
peace does not absolutely require, should
be dispensed with and our system of
Ia xation should be so amended and
that every man will be obli-
gcG to bear his share Of the public bur.
den according to his ability.
| am pleased tlat the Convention took
acton on the subject of equalizing the
bounties Of soldiers. There is every
reason why the patriotic men who en-.
listed in 1861 aud '62 should be placed
on an equality with those wto enlisted |
at a later period. Should l be elected,
influence | possess, official or
will be exercised in obtaining
justice for the early defenders of the
Whatever honors others
may have acquired in the contest just
2Jl2!ifiGh Jl2!iiGh the Ariyate. soldier. WIN hnre the
S entitled at all times to our considera-
ion and gratitude. My past history is
sufficient guarantee that | shall not
overlook his claims. | remain very re
your obedient servant.
w. w. II. DAVIS
LETTER OF coll JN0. p. LINTON.
JonYsTowN, PA, Aug %, 'G5.
fgNrLEMEN-Tour favor Of the 25th !
inst, officially informing me Of ny nom
lnation tor Surveyor General "bJ the
Democratic State Convention assembled
at Harrisburg on the 9th inst" has
Just been received, I
Not only was this nomination unsouIht
and unexpected on my part, but had |
been consulted beforehand | would have
urged my friends not to introduce my
name into the Convention, Any hcsl-
tation, however, in now accepting,
might be construed into a want of ap-
probation of the disting uished honor
conferred by the Convention, or want
of faith in the principles promulgated
by it. ! certainly feel neither. The
Importance of the position would have
been my chief reason for not soliciting
it, and the resolutions adopted are but
prlcticalappicati1n toexi'tingexieeocics
OF those ca, dinal principles which have
always consciously maintained.
Accepting, therefore, this nomination
and it responsibilities, | remain,
Yours truly,
INn ID INTNN