The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-23

and financial reforms which are indis-
pensable to the public welfare, but we
shall not have the power to carry out
these objects until we change the politi-
cal complexion OF Congress. Loud
cheers. This should be our first, our
immediate aim. 1t is in Congress that
the contest is to take place. The control
Of one body. will enable us to prevent
partial, unjust and pernicious legis-
iation. The control of both Houses,
with the power to introduce and carry
out salutary reforms and bring the
Government back, in the language of
Jefferson, to the republican track, will
ccme later. But with wise, harmonious
and judicious action on our part and on
the part of those we represent, it need
not be long delayed. | believe that
public opinion is right; that it is only
necessary to present to the people fairly
the issues between us and those who
have controlled the action of Congress.
Gentlemen, is not the object for which
we are contending a contamination
worthy of our highest and most devoted
efforts? To bring back the Republic
purified, strengthened, through the fiery
ordeal through which it has passed, to
its ancient prosperity and power loud
cheers Ito present to the world an ex-
AIhplC WOlVly vi Will IIO
Utopian visions Of government, but the
grand old reality of better times, in
which the memory of our fathers, the
recollections Of the past, and all our
hopes of the future are inseparably en-
tWined-one country, one flag, one
Union of equal States. Loud cheers.
The following gentlemen were then
proposed ana elected temporary secreta-
ries:
=. O. Perrin Of New York,
John F. Coyle OF the District of Co.
lumbia,
A. r. Potts of Pennsylvania,
Jos. r. O'Beirne of the District of Co.
lumbia,
The call for the convention was then
read by Secretary E. O. Perrin. Du
ring the reading of it, its most telling
points, especially where it alludes to the
fact that no State can be taken out of, or
kept out Of the Union by congressional
action, any more than by force of arms,
were received with most hearty plau
dts by the vast auditory.
This call having already been pub
ished in the "Nev Ei'a," we here omit
it,
The President then called upon the
Rev. j. N. Mcdonald to invoke the di-
vine blessing on the proceedings Of the
convention; which duty the Reverend
gentleman performed in an appropriate
and most impressive manner.
PRELIMINARY BUSINESS.
Gen. Steednlan of Ohio rose to offer a
resolution appointing a Committee on
Credentials, when
nrnl;ttT a id. With 1oo1ra IF tho
gentleman from Ohio, beg leave to Off
err two resolutions. First
Resohed, That until otherwise ordered,
the rules of the House of Representa-
tives OF the United States, SO far as APP
plicable, govern the proceedings OF this
convention; and that each State be enti-
tied to double the number OF votes to
which it is entitled in the Electoral Col
lege and each Territory and the District
of Columbia to two votes each, us their
members shall direct. Adopted.
Resoh3d, That all resolutions and
PROPOSE ions not relating to the organi-
zation of the convention be referred by
the chair to the Committee on Resolu-
tons, without debate; and that all reso-
lutions, propositions and questions rela
ting to the right or claim of any person
to sit in this convention be referred by
lllC ClldtI W lilC 1OllliIllttSG VII SICOCI-
tials, hereafter to be appointed, without
debate and until that appointment they
lie on the table without debate. Adop-
ted.
The resolution of General Steedman
was then read as follows:
Resoired, That a committee OF thirteen
be appointed by the chairman as a Com
mittee on Credentials. Adopted.
Hon Montgomery Blair of Maryland
then offered the following:
Resolred, That committee of one from
each State be appointed by the chair
man to appoint officers for the perma
nent organization OF this convention.
Adopted.
Hon. Thos. b. Florence requested
that as tie originrl call OF the meeting
had been read, and as some parties mis-
understood their position, he would like
also to have read the cali addressed to
the Democrats to attend the convention
as delegates--the Biair-Campbell call.
The secretary then read the call, in
compliance With the gentlemans re-
quest.
The committees were then announced:
.slt< I,