Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-03-10
ruI PLATFORM OF THE NEW YORK
i"' UNION LEAGUE,


nWbercql, Tho American people nrdontly do.
afro lbe re eslabl shmeut of peaco in this coun-
nv. mud whereas, the conclusion Of peace with
tho insurgents now in arms against the country
i, frequently called for; and whereas, it is 1T
or mis- large association Of loyal citizens SOL
emnly to express thor opinion on q subject i'm
rorlant to ali, and pregnant with consequences
10th grave and lasting; therefore
Resolved, That tho American people, by all
tber eacriiices Of blood and wealth, are indeed
seeking the re-establsbmout Of peace in this
land, disturbed az ii continues to be by its re-
lelliyus citizens; but We discountenance every
idea of n conclusion Of pcaca with traitors as
contracting party, which would amount to an
acknowledgement Of them as separate power
cnpahlc Of making treaties.
Resolved That ii Is grave error to maintain
that We have acknowledged our enemy as a bel.
ipcrert in the sense oil the law Of nations, and
that this acknowledgement gives him the stand
ING oi a public enemy, capable of contracting
treaties. On the contrary, the United States for
the sake Of humanity only, have applied the
rulos Of regular warfare to the present rebellion;
generous conduct which the enemy has res
ouitel with barbaIous cruelty towards our cap-
turei SONS and brothers, and with callous dis
regard oi many of the rules of humanity, faith
and honor which civilized people observe in
modern vars.
Resolved, That no es-csiablishment of peaoe
can iaAe place. and that no conferences with any
insurgents whatever ought to be entered into
except on the following basis and premises, dis
lncy laid down and Defined namely;
T. No armistice on any account.
= No foreign mediation
s. No slavery.
1 No assumption of tho Southern debt
D, No State Rights Inconsistent with tho su~
premc and paramount authority Of the Union;
anil above all, no right Of secession.
&. No diminutoA Of our country by one inch
Of land or one drop of water.
Resolved That the President and Secretary
communicate these resolutions to the kindred
associations Of the land, inviting thom to express
their opinion on the subject of the same"
--sss.-----
FLIGHT OF THE REBEL CONGREsS-THE
CRlSlS-HouR OF DANGER AT HAND.
troul the Richmond Enquirer, Feb. 27J
Congress seems anxious to adjourn by their
constitution, il ID not denied that they have the
legal right to flee their posts, and to seek relief
from their fears in their distant homes So has
ten, Lee the legal right 10 surrender his army
IN the moinug, and to prove traitor to his past
glory and ns countiy's trust. The moral right
Of Congress to desert their duty is denied upon
the same principle ;hat would sustain an i'm
leaChment by that very Congress If the Presi-
dent should abandon the Capitol, and hunt safety
iir his person in the mountains Of tho West, or
N the fwanrs Of the South There arc inBtan-
.ea in history ct men being hanged or shot for
great me5ll crimes which they had legal right
to commit
The division ol the powers and functions of
the Government into legislative, executive and
juiicml war from motives Of economy in the
accomplishment; Of the ends Of organized society,
Their namcs on duties do not Indicate any de-
gceg or Limitation of responsibility Neither
tAe 'Iiue a. loyalty nor the obligation Of duty
Is lewened bccaubo the public labor is divided.
III r'o fees from supposed or ieai danger, ,uhefher
hb' fagyed rcterGn N tie trench, f1posed 10
nsHdl Wei and shot, ar Tie arM clad representa-
ims 0irastm iCia TIC lie and honor Of the State,
he dtSGiT.
Darag tic last four weeks wild appreheusions
II danger have disturbed the minds OF the timid.
The shifting of the seat Of campaign always
cells attention to the new interests that become
exposed to attack before the means Of successful
tssI-t,uce are observed. The first inclination of
The n.ild is to be absorbed by the danger, after
vards 10 gather aud examine the relief While
lhe ro1ds that connected large portion Of Con-
gress with their homes were still open, both
Houses were full, and the sublime spectacle was
presented Of all classes, interests aud powers of
tOC nation remaining brave at their posts aud
true to their country. The enemy has lately
'moHh hil forces across the lines OF easy Con-
pesNonal retreat to the West and South and
tlnce llat time Senators and Representatives
have cne 10y one, fled the Capital, leaving The
sRreion of Legislature rapidly diminishing to
number below Il quorum.
1t is true the President must stand firm, grow
primer us the national danger thiokens. IL is
hue that tho Scared army must bare their
breasts 10 the storm, with more heroic courage
o. The columns Of the enemy converge ON tho
20 IL a.
PRESIDENT stands steady, and the cause succeed,
As II will ii Congress do not abandon their posts
~ q time when brave men deem II dishOnOr to
Nee, he will be esteemed rs the founder Of q new
people, and the successor of Plutarch will write
IN name on the same page with Tell Allied and
Washington. Should he change his high re-
solve, which has yet to wavcr, and initiate Con
Rressional example, there will be no difficulty in
udiag Instances in history to illustrate his dis
grace
The soldier, however bravely he may heve
ought around Richmond. on the hills Of Fred
'Hcksburg, through the double glory of Manas-
sasi with the rear guard from Gettysburg, over
lhe Potomac, in the Wilderness, along the bloody
ines, over battle fields where still lay the dead
D'lies q their comrades, who two years ago did
not desert when their Capital was in danger,
Low IN the trench, half fed, poorly clad, with q
Wllc and child at distant and desolated home.
W. the soldier who now leaves his post, al
.nuHgh affection may implore him to the rear,
AuI ueglh stare him in the front, will be seized,
pnl ny The laws of honor and of war will be shot
ueSerIer. The authority to inlct such
ilatute.
mat statute Is neither Of higher source nor of
tHonger obligation than the law which demands
mat senators and Representatives shall not by
lhtlr action iutucp titn bplfnF thot tho en,,vo 10
peiea'el and our fortunes lost. 1t lie deception
Y say that all the required Legislation has been
tfTanged. Gen, Lee has declared that an ad-
loufhment OF Congress at this time to places
rAeh may seem freer from danger than Rich
plohl, would diminish the resisting power of the
fountry by the euspicon that the elevated wise
p0l OF the nation was affected with apprehens
t'ols inconsistent with success, and with that
Puohme confidence which the great and good
tways feel, he bcgs that they, who passed laws
y 'orce others TO duty, shall not now Just bo-
lore the battle is to be tried which iH 10 win vic.
pfy and secure existence, desert an army which
tll meet its first defeat after il has been aban-
goned by those who made the Issue and swore to
Defend il. ~
me members Of Congress who have left their
s sinee sherman moved from Savannah,
taould return to Richmond, 1t should moi he
rOuo'eu that there are some who had good rea
u'o Dc absent, that is, had the same reason 10
ss'e which would obtain a furloueh for n gol-
glT 10 such no censure will apply provided
'ney return to their posts just as a furloughed
private returns 10 his company. They Who do
p9t return should be subjected to the came laws
uSn they have passed Tor others Tho Speak
should be directed to issue his writs recalling
" aueeonding members to the Capital. Should
gh0oedlence to the writ provoke less terror than
s9tfecp'ed retreat and unpleasant proximity to
snkee armies, let q law be passed directing the
,nllafy commanders to execute the Speakers
mt