Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-07-13
Address ofthe Democratic Members Of Con-
grGSS.

Address ofth Democratic Members Of Con-
greSS.
The following is the address of the Dem
ocratio members of Congress endorsing the
call for the National Union Convention to as
semblc in Philadelphia on the l4th of Au-
gust. The address was issued on the 4th Of
July, instant:
TO THE PEopLEoF THE UNITED STATES.
Dangers threaten The Constitution
the citadel Of our liberties directly assailed.
The future is dark, unless the people will
come to the rescue.
In this hour of peril National Union should
be the watchword of every true man.
AS essential to National Union we must
maintain unimpaired the rights, the dignity
and the equality Of the States, including the
right of representation in Congress, and the
exclusive right Of each State to control its
own. domestic concerns, subject only to the
Constitution Of the United States
After uniform construction of the Con-
stitution for more than half century, the as
sumption 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 Council. For seven long months
the present Congress has persistently denied
any right of representation to the people of
these States. Laws affecting their highest
and dearest interests, have been passed with
out their consent. and in disregard of the
fundamental principle of free government.
This denial of representation has been made
to all the members from State, although
the State, in the language of the President,
presents itself, not only in attitude of 10y
atty and harmony, but in the persons of rep
resentatives whose loyalty cannot be ques-
toned under any existing constitutional or
legal test" The Representatives of nearly
one-third Of the States have not been consult
ed with reference to the great questions Of
the day.. There has been no nationality sur
rounding the present Congress. There has
been no intercourse between the Represcn-
tatives of the two sections, producing mutual
confidence and respect. In the language of
the disting uished Lieutenant General:
''It is to be regretted that at this time there
cannot be a greater commingling between the
citizens of the two sections, and particularly
of those entrusted with the law making pow
er." This state of things should be removed
at once and forever M
Therefore, to preserve the National Union
to vindicate the suf6ciency Of our admirable
Constitution, to guard the States from covert
attempts to deprive them of their true posi-
ton in the Union, and to bring together those
who are unnaturally served, and for these
great national purposes only, we cordially APP
prove the call for a National Union Conven-
ton, to be held at the city of Philadelphia
on the second Tuesday Q4th) of August next
and endorse the principles therein set forth
We, therefore, respectfully but earnestly
urge upon our fellow citizens in each State,
and Territory, and Congressional district 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 selec-
ton Of wise, moderate and conservative
men to represent them in said Conven-
ton, to the end that all the States shall at
once be restored to their practical relations
to the Union, the Constitution be maintained,
and peace blessed the whole country.