The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1866-08-25
PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION
Declaration of Principles.

The following declaration of principles
were put forth by the representatives of the
people during the late harmonious pro
ceedings Of the great convention:
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
solemn lessons which for the last five years
has pleased the Supreme Ruler of the Uni
verse to give to the American people; pro-
fOundly grateful for the return of peace; de-
sirous as a large majority of their country
men, in all sincerity, to forget and forgive
the past; receiving the Constitution as 1t
comes to us from our ancestors; regarding
the Union in its restoration as more sacred
than ever; looking with deep anxiety to the
return of instant and continuous peace,
hereby issues and proclaims the declaration
of principles and purposes, on which they
have with perfect unanimlty agreed;
First We hail with gratitude the AL
mighty God for the end of war and the re-
turn of peace to an afflicted and beloved land
Second. The war just closed has main
tanned the authority of the Constitution, with
all the powers which it confers and all the
restrictions which it imposes on the General
Government unabridged and unaltered and
it has preserved the Union, with Its lawful
rights, dignity and authority Of the States,
perfect and unimpaired.
Third. Representation in the Congress of
the United States and to the Electoral Col
Iege as a right recognised by the Constitu-
ton as abiding in every State, are as duty
imposed upon the people fundamental in its
nature and essential to the exercise of our
republican institution, and neither Congress
nor the General Government has any au-
~, -syLk Era
withhold its enjoyment under the Constitu-
ton from the people thereof
Fourth. We call upon the people Of the
United States to elect TO Congress as mem
bers none but men who admit the fundamen-
tai right of representation, and who will re-
ceive to seats their loyal representatives from
every State in allegiance to the United States,
and submit to the cOnstitutionality of each
House to Judge of the election returns and
qualifications of its own members.
| Fifth. The Constitution of the United States
and the laws thereof are the Supreme law Of
| the land, anything in the Constitution or
| laws of any State to the contrary nOtwith-
standing. All the power not conferred in
| the Constitution upon the General Govern
ment. nor prohibited by the States, are re-
| solved to the States, and the right to pre-
serve qualifications for the elective franchise
| therein, which right Congress cannot inter
| fere with, no State nor Convention of States
/ has the right to withdraw from the Union,
or to exclude through their action in Con-
| gress, or otherwise, anysstate or States from
| the Union. The Union of these States is
| perpetual
Sixth Amendments to the Constitution
| of the United States can be made by the
! people thereof, as they may deem expedient,
not only in the mode pointed out by its reso-
luton, and proposing such amendments
/ whether by Congress or by a Convention and
| It's ratifying the same, all the States Of the
/ Union have an equal and indisputable right
| to a voice and vote thereon.
! Seventh. Slavery is abolished and forever
prohibited, and there is neither desire nor
/ purpose on the part of the Southern States
! that it should ever be re-established upon
! the Government OF within the jurisdiction
| of the United States, and the emancipated
slaves In all States of the Union shall re-
| ceiVe, In common with their inhabitants,
equal protection In every right of person
| and property.
| Eighth. While we regard as utterly in
valid and never to be assumed or made Of
bidiDg force, any obligation incurred or un-
dertaken IN making war against the United
States we hold the debt of the nation
to be sacred and inviolable, and we pro-
claim oar purpose in discharging this as
in performing ali the national obligations to
maintain uuimpaired and unimpeached the
honor and faith of the republic.
Ninth 1t is the duty of the National Gov
ernment to recognize the services of the Fed
eral soldiers in the contest just closed by
meeting promptly and fully all their Just and
rightfuI claims for the services they have
rendered the Nation, and by extending to
those of them who have survived, and to the
widows and orphans Of those who have fal
len, the most generous and cOnsiderate care
J Tenth In Andrew Johnson. President Oi
the United States, who In his great Office has
proved steadfast in his devotion to the Con
, stitution, the laws, and interests of his coun
try, unmoyed by prosecutions and unde
served reproach, having faith immeasurablC
in the people and IN the principles Of the
Government we recognize a Chief Magis
trate worthy Of the nation, and equal to th'
great crisis upon which his lot is cast anC
,, We tender to him, in the discharge Of hi
high and responsible duties, our profound
respect, and assurance Of our cordial ant
sincere support.
= After the vote had been taken on the adou
ton Of the foregoing declaration of princi
: pies, 1t was found that the reading Of th
seventh one had been emitted by accident
and this fact was announced by Senate
: Doolittle. 1t was the read and adopted wit
great applause and unanimity. The declsl
: alton Of principles was then adopted as
:. whole with enthusiastic cheers.
/ After the adoption three cheers were Gale
? for and given in the most enthusiastic. mar
ner for Senator Cowan, Of Pennsylvania.
Senator Cowsn acknowledged the eomPi