Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-18
National Convention Platform.


The following is the platform Of prin-
ciples adopted by the Philadelphia Con-
vention AlsnITAay{aA
The National Union Convention, now
assembled in the city of Philadelphia,
composed of delegates from every State
and Territory in the Union.
Admonished by the solemn lessons
which for the last Eve years it has pleased
the Supreme Ruler of the Universe to
give the American people; 5,.t s,ft
Profoundly gratified for the return of
peace in5f,,g HTy41at 81.
DESTROYS, as large majority of their
countrymen, in all sincerity. to forget
the past; s..lf- ID us
Revering the Constitution as it comes
to us from our ancestors; a.ttie s.
Regarding the Union in its restora-
ton as more sacred than ever, b ~ Il
Looking with deep anxiety to the fu1
ture as ofinstant and continuing trial,
hereby issues and proclaims the follow
ing declaration of principles and pur-
poses, on which they have, with perfect
unanimity, agreed
4. We hail with gratitude to Almighty
God the end Of the war and the return
of peace to an afflicted and beloved land
2. The war just closed has maintained
the authority of 1.-THE Constitution with all
the powers which it confers, and all the
restrictions which it imposes on the Gen
eral Government unabridged and unal-
tered; and il has preserved the Union
with the lawful rights, dignity and au-
thority of the States, perfect and unim-
paired. oa1og E5fr haL 40
3. Representation in Congress of the
United States, and in the electoral col
lege is a right recognized by the Consti-
tuition as abiding in every State, and as
duty imposed upon its people, funda-
mental in its nature, and essential to the
exercise of our Republican institution
and neither Congress nor the general
Government has any authority or.power
to deny this right to any, or withhold its
enjoyment under the Constitution from
the people thereof sgbHt ek5tF
4. We call upon the people Of the Uni
ted States to elect to Congress members
who admit the fundamental right Of rep
resentation, and who will receive to seats
their loyal representative from every
State in allegiance to the United States,
subject to the constitutional right Of each
House to judge of election returns and
qualifications Of its own members.
q s. The Constitution Of the United
States aud the laws thereof are the SUI
preme law of the land, anything in the
constitution or laws of any States to the
contrary notwithstanding ff4A
All the powers not conferred BY the
Constitution upon the General Govern
ment nor prohibited TO the States, are
reserved to the States or the people
thereof; and among them the right to
prescribe qualifications for the elective
franchise therein, which right Congress
cannot interfere with. No !
3 No State, or combination Of States, has
the right to withdraw from the Union, or
to exclude through their action in Con-
gresso or otherwise any State or States
from the Union. f'- I'll
The union Of the States is perpetual
6. Amendments to the Constitution Of
the United States may be made by the
people thereof as they may deem expedi-
ent; but only in the mode pointed out
by it. In proposing such amendments,
whether by Congress or by convention,
and In ratifying the same, all States of
the Union have an equal and indisputa-
bic right TO a vote thereon.
Z. Slavery is abolished and forever
prohibited; and there is neither desire
nor purpose on the part of the Southern