The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-08-18
THE UNION G. J0URNAL,

IN behalf Of the Union men of Maine, We
pledee to him our cordial support in the
great work OF securing national restoration,
equality Of Human Rights, and enduring
peace. 81.
3. Resolved, That if in attempting to 70.
organise any Stats and restore IL TO the I'm.
ion, IL shall he found that the character OF
the people Is such rs to render them unsafe
Repositories Of free republican government,
il IL the duty Of the United States to hold
such State under provisional government
till its Inhabitants shall furnish satisfactory
evidence Of their loyalty and attachment to
free State institutions. and sincere disposition
to secure to all loyal men in their State, eqraal
political rights. I.
4. Resolved. That in recognising Statcs
lately in rebellion, 1t Is the right as well as
the duty of the national authority, to de-
mand. rs q condition precedent to. their
resuming the exercises OF their political
powers, that they shall ratify tho constitu.
tional amendment abolisbing slavery, that
they shall remove all the disabilities which
under that system attached to any class on
account Of color. and to secure 10 all loyal
persons perfect equality before the law. q N
8. Resolved. That we earnestly endorse
the sentiment of President johnson that
.. the American people must be taught. il
they do not already understand. that treason
is crime and must be punished; and We
believe that now is the time, il ever, when
the law against treason should be enforced !;
that those who have controlled that treason
able organization, lately known as the
{" Confederate civil and military Govern
ment.'' have committed that crime with
circumstances Of the most aggravated atroc-
ity. and that they should be made an ex-
ample which shall. to oil coming time, deter
Others from committing the like crime. i,.d.
G. Resolved, That in administering tho
law Of treason, principals in the crime
should be made the first and prominent OBJ
jects Of punishment; and until Jefferson
Davis and other rebel chiefs nre tried and
punished, little good will be accomplished
by trying and Furnishing the men who have
been only their instruments.
Z. Resoiped, That the Constitution OF
the United States should be so amended rs
to secure equality and uniformity of tho
right OF suffrage and representation Of tho
several States in the National Congress. '''
8. Resoiped, That the Emancipation
Proclamation OF President Lincoln--tho on.
listment and efficient service OF moro than
l00, 900 colored troops in the army Of the
United Statcs-the good faith maintained by
the whole race amidst treason and the most
threatening dangers--the acts OF Congress
giving them pay and rank with white officers
and soldiers-and tho post OF danger and
honor assigned these troops in some of the
most desperate battles fought against the
rebels during the war, have pledged tho M.
tional honor that these people shall be FREQ,
in fact, rs they are in name, and that there
shall be conferred on them all the political
rights Of freemen, and that this great pledge
so officially and solemnly made by the Gov.
eminent, the people Of these United States
will redeem.
0. Reso,utd, That our highest gratitude
is due to the brave men in our army and
navy who have fought our battles, won our
victories and maintained by their valor the
integrity Of our Government.
10. Resolved. That under the Executive
direction Of SAMUEL COMFY. Governor Of
Maine, the affairs Of tho State have been ad.
ministered with signal ability, uprightness
and prudence; and we have no doubt that
THE GREAT BODY OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS will
give expression to this confidence by placing
him again in the same high office.