The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-07-26

ton which the President had, from the
time he entered upon his duties, pursued
with eminent success, were assalled, and
their beneficent purpose, to a great eS-
tent, defeated; attempts were made to
impose conditions precedent upon States
before permitting them to exercise their
constitutional rights; loyal Senators and
representatives from the States which
had been in rebellion We're refused adj
mittance into Congress-the people were
denied rightful constitutional represen-
tation-and eleven States were and are
excluded from all participation in the
government.
These proceedings, which conflict with
the fundamental principles on which
our whole governmental system is foun-
ded, are generating and consolidating
sectional animosity, and if long, perss-
ted in, must eventuate in permanent
alienation. | rejoice, therefore, in a
movement which has for its object the
union in one bond of love of the people
of our common country, and which in
vites to counsel and to political action
the citizens OF every State and Territory,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, aad
from Lakes to the gulf. The eentraliz-
ing theory that the loyal and qualified
Senators and Representatives from elev-
gress, and that those States and the peo-
pie of those States shall not participate
i'll the government, is scarcely less re-
pugnant than that of secession itself.
Propositions to change the Constitti-
ton and unsettle some of the foundation
principles OF our organic inW--to change
our, judicial system ii such manner as
10 destroy me Independence OF the States
by insidiously transferring to the federal
tribunals all questions relating to the
''lite, liberty and property ofthe ciliZenN
to change the basis ct representation,
which was one of the difficult and deli
cate compromises of the Convention Of
1857, when no States We're excluded
from representation-to change the eX-
listing and wisely adjusted distribution
of power between the different depart
ments of the Government. by transfer
ring the pardoning power in certain ca
ses from the Executive, where it prop
erly belongs, to Congress or the legisa-
tive branch of the government, to which
it does not legitinately pertain-to in
corporate into our constitution, which is
to stand through all time, a proscrip-
tea of citizens who have erred and who
are liable to penalties under existing en-
artments, by disqualifications, partak-
ing Of the nature of er post .t0cto laws
a I'd bills of attainder-these propositions
or changes, aggregated as one and called
an amendment to the Constitution, de-
signed to operate on the people and
States which are denied all representa-
ton or voice in the Congress which orig
mates them. are of u radical. if not revo-
lutionary, character.
These and other proceedings, and the
political crisis which they have tended
to produce, justify and demand convo-
cation of the people by delegates from
all the States and from the whole cOun-
try.
The President has labored with devo-
ted assidnity and fidelity to promote
Union, harmony, prosperity and happi-
ness among the States and people, but
has met with resistance, misrepresenta-
ton and calumny where he had a right
to expect cooperation and friendly sup
port. That the great body of our coun-
try are earnestly and cordially with him
in his efforts to promote tho national
welfare, | have never doubted, notWith-
standing the hostility of malevolent
partizans, stimulated by perverted par
ty organizations; and l rejoice that a
convention which shall represent all
true Union men of our whole country
has been called to sustain him.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON WELLEs
Hon. j. r. Doolittle Washington, DC