The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-08-25
ID NJ ] @ III
RESTORATION AND PEACE
ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL
UNION CONVENTION.
THE CONVENTIONS DECLARATION
OF PRINCIPLES.
The Grandest Political
Platform on Record.
IT DECLARES SLAVERY ABOL-
lSlIED.
1T ADOPTS THE NATIONAL
DEBT.
1T PROVIDES FOR TIE
SOLDIERS ORPHANS.
TIT IE\DoRSES DRESJ
The Grandest Political
Platform on Record.
IT DECLARES SLAVERY ABOL-
lSllED.
1T ADOPTS THE NATIONAL
DEBT.
1T PROVIDES FOR TIE
SOLDIERS ORPHANS.
TT ENDORSE ES PRES l.
DENT JOHNSON.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE rNrrEp STATES.

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE rNtrEp STATES.
HAVING met in Convention, at the
City of Philadelphia, in the State of
Pennsylvania, this sixteenth day of
August, 1866, as the representatives of
the people in all sections, and from all
the States and Territories of the Union,
to consult upon the condition and the
wants of our common country, we adj
dress to you this Declaration of our Prin-
ciplcs, and of the political purposes we
seek to promote.
Since the meeting of the last National
Convention, in the year 1860, events
have occurred which have changed the
character of our internal politics, and
given the United States II new place
among the nations of the earth. Our
Government has passed through the
ricissitudcS and the perils of civil War-
Il war which, though mainly sectional
in its character, has, nevertheless, de-
cidcd political differences that from the
very beginning of the Government had
threatened the unity of our national cX
istcncc, and has left its impress deep
and inetfaccablc upon all the interests,
the sentiments, and the destiny of the
Republic. While ii has inflicted upon
the whole country severe losses in life
and in property, and has imposed bur
dens which must weigh on its rcSOur-
ccs for generations to come, it has dcVcl-
Opcd degree Of national courage in the
presence of national dnngars-a capacity
for military organization and achieve
ment, and devotion on the part of the
people to the form of government which
they have ordained, and to the princi-
pies Of liberty which that government
was designed to promote, which mus
confirm the confidence of the nation in
the pcrpctuity Of its republican institu
tiOns, and command the respect of tho
civilized world.
Like all great contests which rousC
the passions and test the endurance OF
nations, this war has given new scope t.
the ambition of political parties, ant
fresh impulse to plans of innovation ant
reform. Amid the chaos of conflicting
sentiments in-eparablc from suchan era
while the public heart is kccnlY alive t
all the passions that can sway the publ
Judgment and affect the public action
while the wounds Of war ;lrc still fires
and bleeding on either side, and fear
for the future take unjust proportion
from the memories and rCscntmcnts q
the past, it is difficult but an impcr;
tive duty which, on your behalf, W.
who are here assembled, have undo
taken to perform.
For the first time after six long yea
of alienation and of conflict, we hay
come together from every state an
every section Of our land, aS citiHcns {
common country, under that flag, Il
symbol again of common glory,
consult together how best to cement al
Dcrpctuate that Onion which Is aga
the object Of our common love, and thl
secure the blessings of liberty to on
selves and our po-tcrity.
|. In the first place, we invoke you
remember always and everywhere, tn
the war is ended and the nation is aga
at peace. The shock of cOntending arr
no longer erassails the shuddcring heart
the Republic. The insurrection again
the supreme authority of the nation h
been suppressed, and that authority Ii
been again acknowledged, by word N
act, in every State and by every citiz
within its Jurisdiction. WcUre no Ion
er required or permitted to regard
treat each other is enemies. Not on
have the acts of war been discontinue
and the weapons of war laid aside, b
the state of war no longer exists, and t
sentiments, the passions, the relate
of war have no longer lawful or right
place anywhere throughout our bro
domain. We are again people of
United States, frlioW-citizCns of c
country, bound by the duties and oil
cations of common patriotism, Il
having neither rights nor Interests ap
from common destiny. The dut
that deVolVo upon Us now are again
duties of peace, and no longer tne dut
of war. We have assembled here
take counsel concerning the Interests
peace -- to decide how we may III
wisely and ciicctually heal the woul
the war has made, and perfect {
uprpe,ua,e the benefits IL has sec
cd, and the blessings which, undo
wise and benign Providence, hi
-prung up in ito fiery track, This Is