The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-07-10
For the Western Democrat.
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION.

EDITOR DEMOCRAT: The Executive Commit
tee of the National Union Club having recon-
menGed Convention of delegates from all the
States and Territories assemble in Philadel-
phia on the 18th of August next. think it be-
comes our duty to meet the proposition in pro-
per spirit and send delegates. 1t must result in
vast good to the southern people and the coun-
try. The old land marks (sectonaD have been
wiped out by the arbitrament of the sword. and
accept the result. New reckonings (natonal)
must be indicated to meet the altered condition
of States and sections. that nation may
move on a harmonious whole, embracing with
in its conservative influence every section and
every interest. 1t is not proposed by this COM
munication to do more than to draw public atten-
ton. through your paper. to the CALL and suggest
that the voters of this Congressional District take
immediate steps to be represented in said national
Convention.
To the end that "old Mecklenburg'' may not
be the last to move in the matter. suggest that
the people assemble on Tuesday (of this weekly
and appoint delegates to represent the county in
District Convention to be held at Salisbury on
the 24th day of July. Ard let the District Con
ventions appoint delegates to meet at Raleigh for
the purpose of selecting four delegates for the
State at large. County meetings should be held
Immediately.
1t is believed that the National Convention to
assemble 7on the I4th August was conceived in
motives of the highest patriotism. and that it will
propose plans and purposes truly national and
of the greatest welfare to the whole country. En-
tertanng this belief let the South respond
promptly and efficiently. Too much care cannot
be had in the selection of proper persons to grasp
the hand extended to aid in the restoration of
harmony and the integrity the Union. X.
TO THE PEOPLE of THE U. STATES
address Of Democratic Members Of Congress-
WASHINGTON, July 4, 1866.
Dangers threaten the Constitution The cit
adel of our liberties is directly assaed! The fu
ture is dark unless the people will come to the
rescue. In this hour of our peril National I'm
ion should be the watchword of every true man.
As essential to National Union, we must main
tain unmpaired the rights, the dignity, and the
equality of the States, including the right of re-
presentation in Congress, and the exclusive right
of each State to control its domestic con-
Germs, subject only to the Constitution of the
United States After an uniform construction of
the Constitution for more than half century, the
assumption of new and arbitrary powers in the
Federal Government is subyersive of our SYSTEM
and destructive of liberty.
A free interchange of opinion and kind feeling
between the citizens of all the States is necessary
to the perpetuity of the Union. At present
eleven States are excluded from the national
courils. For seven long months the present
presentation to the people of these States. Laws,
affecting their highest and dearest interests, have
been passed without their consent, and in disre-
gard of the fundamental principles of free gov
eminent. This denial of representation has been
made to all the members from State, although
the State, in the language of the President, pre-
sents itself not only 10 an attitude of loyalty and
harmony, but in the persons of Representatives
whose loyalty cannot be questioned under any
existing constitutional or legal test. The Repre-
sentatives of nearly one-third of the States have
not been consulted with reference to the great
questions of the day. There has been no nation
atty surrounding the present Congress. There
has been no intercourse between the representa-
tlves of the two sections, producing mutual conf
dence and respect. In the language of the dis
tinguished Lieutcnant-Genera ut is to be re-
GREETED that at this time there cannot be great
coningling between the citizens of tire two sec
TONS and particularly of those entrusted with the
law making power" This state of things should
be removed at once and forever. Therefore, to
preserve the National Union, to vindicate the
suficiency of our admirable Constitution, to
guard the States from covert attempts to deprive
them of their true position in the Union and to
bring together those who are unnaturay sever
ed, and for these great national purposes only,
we cordially approve the call for National
Union Convention to be held at the City of Phil
adelphia, on the 2nd Tuesday, l4th Of August
next, and endorse the principles therein set forth
We, therefore, respectfully but earnestly urge
upon our fellow citizens in each State, in the
United States, in the interest of union and in
spirit of harmony, and with direct reference to
the principles contained in said call, to act
promptly in the selection of wise, moderate and
conservative men to represent the said Conven-
ton, the end that all the States shall at once
be restored to their practical relations to the Union
the Constitution be maintained, and peace bless
the whole country.
[Signed by A members of Congress-
CONGRESS -WAsHINGToN. July 5-The
Committee of Conference on the tax bill recon-