The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-08-30
a d d r. f 5 5
TO THE
People of the United States


1866, as the representatives of the poo-
pie in all sections, and all the States and
Territories of the Union, to consult up
on the condition and the wants of our
common country, we address to you this
declaration of our principles, and Of the
political purposes we seek to promote.
Since the meeting of the last Nation
al Convention, in the year 1860, events
have occurred which have changed the
character of our internal politics, and
given the United States a new place
among the nations of the earth. Our
government has passed through the
vicissitudes and the perils of civil wal
a war which, though mainly sectional
in its character, has nevertheless dec-
ded political differences, that from the
very beginning Of the government had
threatened the unity Of our national ex.
istence, and has lett its impress deep
and ineffaceable upon all the interests,
the sentiments, and the destiny of the
Republic. While it has inflicted upon
the whole country severe losses in life
and in property, and has imposed bur
dens which must weigh on Its resources
for generations to come, it has developed
degree Of national courage in the pre-
sence of national dangers-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-
Piles of liberty which that government
was designed to promote, which must
confirm the confd 9nce Of the nation in
the perpetuity of its republican institu,
tions, and command the respect of the
civilized world.
Like all great contests which rouse
the passions and test the endurance of
nations, this war has given new scope
to the ambition of political parties, and
fresh impulse TO plans of innovation aud
reform. Amidst the chaos of conflict
ing sentiments inseparable from such an
era, while the public heart is keenly
alive to all the passions that can sway
the public Judgment and affect the pub.
lie action while the wounds of war are
still fresh and bleeding on either side,
and fears for the future take unjust pro-
portions from the memories and resent,
ments of the past, it is difficult but an
imperative duty which on your behalf
we, who are here assembled, have un.
dertakeu to perform.
For the first time after six long years
Of alienation and of conflict, we have
come together from every State and
every section oF our land, as citizens of
common country, under that flag, the
symbol again of a common glory, to
consult together how best to cement and
perpetuate that Union which is again
the object of our common love, and thus
secure the blessings of liberty to our.
selves and our posterity.
In the first place, we invoke you to
remember, always and everywhere, that
the war is ended, and the nation is again
at peace. The shock of contending
arms no longer assails the shuddering
heart of the republic. The instruction
against the supreme authority of the
nation has been suppressed, and that
authority has been again acknowledged
by word and act, In every State and by
every citizen within its jurisdiction.
We are no longer required or permitted
to treat each other as enemies. Not
only have the acts of war beer discOn
tinued, and the weapons of war laid
aside, but the state of war no longer ex.
lists, and the sentiments, the passions,
the relations of war have no longer law
full or rightful place anywhere through
out our broad domain. We are again
people of the United States, fellow.
citizens of one country, bound by the
duties and obligations. Of a common pa
triotism, and having neither rights nor
Interests apart from common destiny
The duties that Gevolve upon us now
are again the duties of peace, and no
longer the duties OF war. We have as
sembled here to take counsel concerning
the interests Of peace; to decide how
we may most wisely and effectually heal
the wounds the war has made, and
perfect and perpetuate the benefits it
has secured, and the blessings which,
under wise and benign Providence,
have sprung up in its fiery track This
is the work, not of passion, but OF calm
and sober Judgment; not OF resentment
for past offences, prolonged beyond the
limits which justice and reasen pre-
scribe, but of a liberal craftsmanship
which tolerates what it cannot prevent,
and builds its plans and its hopes for the
future rather upon a community ct IN
terests and ambition, than upon diStrust
aud the weapons Of force
In the next place, we call npon you to
recognize in their full significance ana
to accept with all their legitimate con
sequences, the political results OF the
war just closed. In two most important
national government has been hnai ana
decisive. First it has established be-