Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-08-30
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION.
pEoLARAT1oN OF pRIxcplEs.

The National Union Convention, now as
sembled in the city of Philadelphia, com.
posed of delegates from every State and ter
ritory in the Union, admonished BY the SOL
emn lessons which for the last FIVE years it
has pleased the Supreme Ruler of the Uni.
verss to give to the American people; pro,
foundly grateful for the return of peace |;
desirous, as are a;large majority Of their
countrymsn, in all sincerity, to forget aud
forgive the past reyering the Constitution
"a it comes to Us from our ancestors; regard
ing the Union 10 itsrestoration more sacred
than ever; looking with deep anxiety into
the futuys as of instant and continuing trial,
hereby issues and proclaims the following
declaration of principles and purposes on
which they have, with perfect uunanmity,
agreed.
First-We hail with gratitude to Al
mighty God the end of war and return of
peace to an afflicted and beloved land.
Seeond.-The war just closed has main.
tanned the authority Of the Constitution,
with all the powers which it oonfers and all
the restrictions which it imposes upon the
General Government, unabridged and unal-
tered. And has preserved the Union With
the equal rights, dignity and authority Of
the States perfect and unimpaired ',
Third.-Representation in the Congress
of the United States and in the Electoral
College is right recognized by the oonssi.
tuition as 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 uei-
ther Congress nor the general government
has any authority as power to deny this
right to any State, or to withhold its enjoy
ment, under the constitution, from the peo
pie thereof
Fourth.-We call upon the people of the
United States to elect to Congress, as mem
bers thereof, none but men who admit this
right of fundamental representation, snd
who will receive to seats therein loyal rep
resentatiyes from every State in allegiance
to the United States, subject to the coDsti-
tutional right of each house to judge of the
election returns and qualifications ofits own
members. '~7
Fifth.-The constitution of the United
States and the laws made in pursuance
thereof are the supreme law of the land,
ANYTHING In the constitution or laws Of any
State to the contrary Notwithstanding All
the powers not conferred BY the constitu
ton upon the general government, nor pro
hibited by it to the States, are reserved to
the States or to the people thereof; and
among the rights thus reserved to the States
is the right to prescribe the qualification
for the elective franchise therein, with
which right Congress cannot interfere, No
State or convention of States has the right
to withdraw from the Union, or to exclude,
through their action in Congress or other
wise, any other State or States from the
Union. The union of these States is per-
petnal.
Sixth.-Such amendments to the consti.
tuition of the United States may be made BY
the people thereof as they may deem expe-
dent, but only in the mode pointed out BY
its provisions, and in the proposition and
exposition of such amendments; whether by
Congress or Convention, and in ratifyiug the
same, oil the States of the Union have an
equal and undeniable right to voice and a
vote therein.
Seventh. h.-Slaysry is abolished and for.
ever prohibited; and there is neither desire
nor purpose on the part of the Southern
States that it should ever be re established
upon the soil or within the Jurisdiction of
the United States; and the emaDcipated
slaves in all the States of the Union should
receive, in common with all their iDhabi
tants, equal protection in person and prop
erty.
Eighth.-While we regard az utterly in.
valid, and never to be assumed or made of
binding force, any obligation incurred or
undertaken 10 making war against the Uni
ted States, we hold the debt of the nation
to be sacred and inviolable; and We pro
claim our purpose in dischargirg this, as in
performing all other national obligations, to
maintain, unimpaired and unimpsached,
the honor and the faith of the Republic
Ninth.-It is the duty of the national
Government to recognize the 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 ser
vices they have rendered the nation, and by
extending to those of them who have served,
and to the widows and orphans of those
who have fallen, the most generous and
oonsidsrate support
Tenth.-In Andrew johnson, President
of the United States, who has proved stead
fast in bis devotion to the constitution, the
laws, and the interests Of his country, I'M.
moved by persecution and undeserved re-
proach, having faith unassailable in the
people and in the principle of free govern.
ment, we recognize Chief Magistrate
worthy of the nation, and equal to the great
crisis upon which his lot is cast. And we
tender to him, in his high and responsible
duties, our profound respect and assurance
Of our cordial and sincere support.
-.. ADDRESS.
To the People of the United States:
Having met in convention at the city Of
Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania,