The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-08-28
RESOLUTIONS
Adoofed dy He sUaionaNdtionat Conventioa at
PhiLodeapAia, Auqust 16, 1866. En- +.

| hESOIOf4ONS
| Adoptea 5ys die Uaion.Nationas conuensioa at
. Philadelphia, August 16, 1866.
The National Union Convention now assem-
bled in the city of Philadelphia, composed Of
Edeiegates from every State and Territory in the
| Union, adnonished by the solemn lesson which,
for the last five years. it has pleased the Supreme
| Ruler Of the universe to give to the American
people, profoundly grateful for the return of peace
| desires as do large majority of their county
men, in all sincerity, to forget and forgive the
past, revering the Constitution as 1t comes to US
| from our ancestors regarding the Union IN its
restoration more sacred than ever, and looking
with deep interest into the future as of infinite
and continuing trial, hereby issue ana proclaim
the following Declarations of Principles and Pur-
eposes, on which they have, with perfect unanimi-
ty, agreed = i
First. We hail with gratitude to Almighty God
the end of the war and the return OF peace to an
afflicted and beloved land
Second. The war just closed has maintained
/ the authority of the Constitution with all the
powers which it confers and all the restrictions
which it imposes upon the General Government
unabridged and unaltered, and it has preserved
the Union with the equal rights, dignity and au-
thority the States perfect and unimpaired.
Third. Representation in the Congress OF the
United States and in the Electoral College is a
right recognized by the Constitution abiding
in every State and as duty imposed upon its
people, fundamental in its nature and essential to
the existence of our republican institutions and
neither Congress nor the General Government
has any authority or power to deny this right to
any State, or to withhold its enjoyment under
the Constitution from the people thereof.
Fourth. We call upon the people of the United
Ct.fa to loot ,,f me- mn Qr
none but men who admit this fundamental right
of representation and who will receive to seats
therein loyal representatives from every State in
allegiance to the United States, subject to the
constitutional right of each House to ud &c of the
elections and qualifications of its own members.
Fifth. The Constitution of the United States
and the laws made in pursuance thereof are the
supreme law of the land, anything in the consti
tuition or laws of any State 20 the contrary not
withstapding. All the power not conferred by
the Constitution upon the General Government,
prohibited by it to the States, reserved to
the States or to the people thereof : and among
the rights thus reserved to the States is the right
to prescribe qualifications for the elective franchise
therein, with which right Congress cannot inter
fere. No State or combination of States has the
right to withdraw from the Union, or to exclude,
through their action in Congress or otherwise,
any other State States from the Union. The
Union of these States is perpetual, and its Gov
eminent has all supreme authority within the
restrictions and limitations of the Constitution.
Sixth. Such amendments to the Constitution
of the United States may be made by the people
thereof as they may deem expedient, but only 10
the mode pointed out by its provisions; and in
proposing such AMENDMENTS whether by Con-
'gress or by convention, and in .ratifying the
same all the States of the Union have an equal
and an indefeasible right to voice and vote
thereon.
Seventh. Slavery is abolished and forever pro-.
hibited land there is neither desire nor purpose
on the part of the Southern States that it should
ever be re-estabsled upon the soil or within the
jurisdiction of the United States; and the en-
franehised slavos in all the States of the Union
should receive, in common with all their inhabi-
tants, equal protection in every right of person
and property
Eighth While we regard as utterly invalid
and never to be assumed or made of binding
force any obligation incurred or undertaken in
making against the United States, we hold
the debt of the nation to be sacred and nvolable,
and we proclaim purpose in dischargng this,
as in performing all other national obligations, to
maintain unimpaired and unimpeached the honor
and the faith of the Republic.
Nine. 1t is the duty of the National Govern
lnenI 10 recognize tile services OF The Federal
soldiers and sailors, in the contest just closed, by
meeting promptly and fully all their just and
rightful claims for the services they have rem
dered the nation, and by extending to those of
them who have survived, and to the widows and
orphans of those who have fallen the most gen
erous and considerate care
Tenth. In Andrew johnson, President of the
United States, who, in his great office has proved
steadfast in his devotion to the Constitution. the
laws and the interests of his country, unmoved by
persecution and undeserved reproach, having faith
unassailable in the peops and in the princ Pies of
tree Government, we recognize a Chief Magis-
trate worthy of the nation and equal to the great
crisis upon which his lot is cast, and we tender
to him. in the discharge of his high and respon-
slble duties. our profound respect and assurance
OF our cordial and sincere support.
A q