Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-09-25
THE SOLDIERS CONVECTION.
PLATFORM Ann REsourrr1oNs,
THE ADDRESS TO THE COUNTRY.
Great observation-disclosures emit. &c.

THE ADDRESS TO THE COUNTRY.
! Great Enthusiasm Adjournment, &C.
The Soldiers Convention at Cleveland ad
journed SINE die on Tuesday, amid scenes OF
great enthusiasm, after having adopted plat
form similar to that of the National Convention
at Philadelphia, which it endorsed
.svps,@ THE PLATFORM.
The President then announced that the Com
mlttee on RESOLUTIONS and address were ready
to report, and Colonel S. d. Campbell read the
following platform
The Union soldiers and sailors who served in
the army and navy of the United States in the
recent war for the suppression of the insurrec-
ton, the maintenance of the Constitution, the
Government and the flag of the Union, grateful
to the Almighty God for His preservation OF
them through the perils and hardships of war,
and for His mercy in browning their efforts with
victory, freedom and peace; deplorng the alb
sencee from their midst of many brave and faith
full comrades who had sealed with their life
blood their devotion to the sacred cause OF
American nationality, and determined now as
heretofore to stand by the principles for which
their glorious dead have fallen, and by which
the survivors have triumphed, being assembled
in National Mass Convention, in the city OF
Cleveland, Ohio, this 18th day of September,
1866, do resolve and declare-First that we
heartily approve the resolutions adopted by the
National Union Convention, held in the city Of
Philadelphia, the 18th of August last, composed
of delegates representing all the States and ter
| rltories Of the United States; second, that our
object In taking up arms to suppress the late
rebellion, was to defend and maintain the SUI
premacy Of the Constitution, and to preserve
the Union with all the dignity equality and
rights Of the several States unimpaired, and not
In any spirit of oppression, nor for any purpose
of conquest and subjugation and that when
ever there shall be any armed resistance to the
lawfully constituted authorities Of our national
Union, either in the South or in the North, in
| the East or in the West, emulating the self
sacrificing patriotism of our revolutionary fore
fathers, we will again pledge to its support 'oul
| lives. our fortunes and our sacred honour"
| The resolutions were read with the most un
bounded enthusiasm, round after round Of
! cheers being sent forth and repeated again and
| again. ~ ~
! Colonel Cunningham moved the adoption o.
the platform, and the motion was carried with
| a unanimous aye. 81. -. Il 4
| A scene of wild and exciting enthusiasm fol
lowed. The delegates tore the small flags from
the platform and waved them in the air, all ri
| sing to their feet and shouting for Rally rounC
the flag The band struck up this popular
| air, and Immediately three thousand voices
joined in the chorus and produced most eff
| fective scene. The singing was followed by
perfect yells Of applause, mingled with cries fol-
cheers for the thirtysix States, for the flag anc
for the boys in blue 1t was with difficulty the
President restored order for the closing Of the
| business
When the excitement had subsidized, Genera
l
ADDRESS TO THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS OF
| 81. r}ga THE UNION. ..llr 5u ns 50
The address is quite lengthy and reviews tht
present unhappy state of political affairs, en-
dorses the policy of the President and opposes
the bogus constitutional amendment as beins
country and its happiness and prosperity il
keeping the Southern States out of the Union
1t calls upon the soldiers and sailors of both ar
mics engaged in the late war to unite their eff
forts to restore peace, harmony and good feel
1 ing throughout the country, and to aid thu
President in his patriotic efforts to unite the
country under the Constitution. It concludes
as follows: @ -'h = e@
/ We hold, then, that no reason has been giyer
which can justify an adherence to the course
which has been proposed by Congress, or for
further continuance of the present unhapp,
condition of the country. If the same class O
| men who have established this policy shall bt
| returned to the next Congress-, that condition
will grow worse for two years longer. Who Cal
estimate the evils which will meantime have
fallen upon all races of those communities a
well as ourselves? 1t is our duty to remembe
that the Government is not the embodiment O
perfect theories but is practical business, anC
deals with the wise and unwise, the well and il
disposed as a mingled mass of that civilization
which is a growth, and not the. result of force
believe that nationality, with its distribu
ton OF powers between the central and loca
governments, is the chief instrumentality ane
is the best blessing of political and civil life fol
all races and communities in this land and tha
our first duty to all is to see that it is as prompt
ly as possible re-established. By means of i
We shall accomplish not only peace, and safety
but justice to the nation and the freedmen.
Upon all Of these sacred rights we shall in
/ slst AS soldiers, we are still devoted to The
same cause and the same principles for which
we fought-the cause of Union, freedom, justice
and law. We forego none Of these in demand
ing Union now. We speak as soldiers, because
we believe that an appeal from US to the brave
men who met us In battle to unite with US il
| giving peace TO our common country, In 1ulnll
ing pledges which have been made and guaran
teelng to the freedmen the rights which honou
and humanity epjoin, will not be made in vain
We shall ask and expect that they, like our
selves, will unite in maintaining the laws pre-
serving the peace, indicating good will and il
upholding the honour and integrity Of our com
mon country. In answer to our appeal we be
Ieve that, notwithstanding all provocations anc
disappointment they will be patient and order
ly, laW-abiding and law obeying citizens, res
pecting and permitting differences of opinion b,
whomsoever entertained and by whomsoeye
enunciated. We want Union not merely ii
name. but Union in fact; not Union mere
y OF geographical lines, but Union of hearts
Such Union we fought to maintain, such /
Union we wish to enjoy !; f.5..f.- -.
! by 1t alone can our nation accomplish its true
mission and fulfill its true destiny. So believ
Ing, we earnestly and anxiously appeal to you
our former comrades in arms, to assist in The
great work of pacihcation. We appeal to you
not as Democrats, not as Republicans, but a.
patriots and National Union men. Whatever
others may say you know that those who stood
shoulder to shoulder with you through the fotl
| years Of terrible war are truly loyal You, al
least, will never question their fidelity to, and
| their affection for the Union and the Constitu-
ton, whatever differences of opinion may exist,
now that the war is over and the insurrection is
quelled between those who together offered
their lives as constant and willing sacrifice