The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-08-29
The Philadelphia Convention.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
The National Union Convention now
assembled in the city of Philadelphia, COM
posed of delegates from every State and
Territory in the Union. admonished by the
solemn lessons which TO- the last FIVE years
it has pleased the Supreme Ruler Of the
Universe to give to the American pecple:
profoundly grateful for theretnrn Of peace;
DESTROYS as large majority of their coun-
sgymen are in all sincerity to forget and
forgive the past; revering the Constitution
as it came to us from our ancestors; re-
gardingi the Union in its restoration as
more sacred than ever looking witt, deep
anxiety to the future of instant and CON
tinuing trial, hereby issue and proclaim
the acknowledgements of principles and
purposes on which they have with perfect
unanimity agreed:
]. We had with gratitude to Almighty
God the end OF war and the return of peace
TO our afflicted and beloved land.
g. The war inst closed has maintained
the authority of the Constitution with all
the powers which it confers and all the re-
strictions which it imposes on the general
Government, unabridged and unaltered
End it has preserved the Union, with the
lawful rights, dignity and authority Of
the States, perfect and unimpaired.
8. Representation In the Congress Of the
United States, and in the Electoral College,
is right recognized by the Constitution
as abiding in every State, and as duty
imposed upon its people, fundamental in
its nature and essential TO the exercise of
our republican institutions; and neither
Congress nor the General Government has
any authority or power to deny this right
to any, or withhold its enjoyment under
the Constitution from the people thereof.
4. We call upon the people of the United
States to elect to Congress as members
none but men who admit this fundamental
right Of representation and who will re-
ceive to seats the loyal representatives
from every State in allegiance to the Uni
ted States who will submitto the consiitu-
tionality of each House to, .jndge of the ell
ection returns and qualifications Of its own
members.
S. That the Constitution Of the United
States and the laws thereofare the supreme
law Of the land, anything in the Constitu-
ton or laws Of any State to the contrary
Notwithstanding. ALI the powers not con-
ferred by the Constitution on the General
Government nor prohibited by the States
are reserved to the States The right to
prescribe qualifications for the elective
franchise therein is a right which Congress
cannot interfere with. No State or con-
vention Of States has the right to with
draw from the Union, or to excl,.de,
through their action in Congress or other
wise, any State or States from the Union.
The Union of these States is perpetual.
6. Amendments to the Constitution Of
the United States may be made by the
people thereof as they may deem expedi-
ent, but only in the mode pointed out by
its resolution, and, proposing such amend
ments, whether by Congress OF by a con-
vention, and in ratifying the same, all the
States of the Union have an equal and in
disputable right to a voice aud vote
thereon.
Z Slavery is abolished and forever pro-
hibited, and there is neither desire no pnr-
pose on the part of the Southern States
that it should ever be re-estabIished upon
the soil or within the Jurisdiction of Che
United States, and the enfranchised slaves
in all the States of the Union should re
ceive, in common with all their inhabitants,
equal protection in every right of person
and property
8. While we regard as utterly invalid
and never to be assumed or made Of bind.
ing force, any obligation Incurred or ur-
dertaken in making war against the Uni
ted States, we hold the debt of the Nation
TO be sacred and inyiolate, and we pro-
claim our purpose in discharging this as in
performing all the national obligations to
maintain unimpaired and nnimpeached the
honor and faith Of the Republic
8. 1t is the duty of the National Govern
ment to recognize the services Of the Fede-
raj soldiers and sailors in the contest just
closed, by meeting promptly aud July all
their just and right.ul claims for the servi-
ces they rendered the nation, and by ex-
tending to those Of them who have surviv-
ed, and to the widows and orphans of those
who have fallea, the most generous and
considerable care.
10. In Andrew johnson. President Of the
United States, who, in his great Office, has
proved steadfast in his devotion to tie
Constitution, the laws, and interests of his
country, unmoyed by persecution and I'M
deserved reproach, having faith immeasr-
rable in the people and the principles OF
the Government, we recognize a Chief
Magistrate worthy Of the nation and the
great crisis upon which his lot is cast, and
we tender to him in the discharge Of his
high and responsible duties our profound
and assurance Of our cordial and
sincere support