The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-08-24
Wisfellaueuas.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
Below are tho resolves adopted by tn
PHILADELPHIA Convention.

Philadelphia Convention.
The National Union Convention now rs.
semhled in The city Of Philadelphia, com.
posed Of delegates from every Stnte and
territory in the Union, admonished by the
solemn lessons of the last five years which
it has pleased the supreme Ruler Of the
Universe to give TO tho American people
profoundly grateful for the return of peace
dcsirous as a large majority Of their coun'
irymcn in all sincerity to forget and forgive
the past, reyering the Constitution rs II
comes to us for our ancestors, regarding the
Union in its restoration as more sacred than
ever, looking with deep anxiety into the fil.
tlIrc as Of instant and continuing trial, here.
by issue and proclaim the following declara.
ton of principle and purposes on which
they have with perfect unnnilnity agreed.
FIRsr.-We hail with gratitude to Al
mighty God the end of the war and the re.
turn Of peace to an afflicted and beloved
land.
SEcoSD-Thc war Just closed has main.
tained tho authority Of the Constitution
with all the powers which il confers and
and tho restrictions which It imposes upon
the government, and that II has preserved
the Union with the equal right, dignity and
authority ol the States perfect and unim.
pared.
THrRD-The representation In the Con-
gress of the United States and in the Elec-
toral College is a right recognised by the
Constitution rs abiding in every State, and
il ,luIy imposed on its people, fundamen.
tai in its nature and essential to the exis.
tence Of our representative interests, and
confcrs no authority or power to deny this
right to any State, or to withhold its enjoy
nient under the Constitution from the peo.
pie thereof.
FoURrH-That We call upon the people
of the United States to elect to Congress as
members Incn hitherto known to admit this
fundamental right Of representation, an,l
who will receive the loyal Representatives
from every State in the allegiance TO the
United States, subject to the constitutional
right of each House to judge of the elec-
ton, qualification and returns Of its own
members
FirrH-The Constitution Of the United
States and the laws made in Pursuance there.
of are the supreme law Of the land, any
thing in the Constitution or laws of any OF
the States to the contrary Notwithstanding.
All powers not conferred by the Constitu-
ton on the Genenl Government are rescrv-
cd to the Stntes aud The people unrestrict
edly. Among the rights thus reserved to
the States is the right to perscribe the quail.
i6cations for the elective franchise therein,
which right Congress cannot interfere with.
No State or convention Of States has the
right to withdraw from the Union or to ex-
clude, through their action In Congress OF
otherwise, any State or States from the
Union. The Union Of these States Is per.
pctual.
SixsH Such amendments to the Consti
tuition Of tho United States may be made ly
the people thereof as they may deem ex.
pedieni, bat only in tho mode pointed out
by its provisions and proposing such nmend.
nicnts whether by Congress or by Con-
yention, aud in ruiifying the same all the
States Of the Union have an equal and in
,lefeasible right to voice and vote there.
on.
SEvESrn-Slavey 10 abolished and for.
ever prohibited, and there is neither desire
nor purpose on the part Of tho Southern
States that il should ever i>c rcestnl,lished
upon the soil, or within the Jurisdiction Of
the United States and the enirunchised
slaves in all the States Of the Union should
receive in common with all their inhabi
iants equal protection In every right off per.
son and property.
EIeurH-wkile we regard rs utterly In.
valid, aud never to be assumed OF made OF
binding force, any obligation incurred, o!
undertaken In making war against the United
States, we bold the debt Of tho nation 10 be
sacred and inviolable, and We proclaim our
purpose in discharging this "a In perform
ing oil other national obligations to MAIN
tain unimpared and unimpeached tho hon.
or and faith Of the Republic.
NISrH-lt h the duty OF the National
Government to recognize the services Of the
Federal soldiers and sailors in tho contest
jlss closed; 10y u,ccling promptly and fully