The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-30
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
ADOPTED BY THE
N "A IL O N A
i n / ON con Y ENTION.
HELD AT
-PHIIAD DELPHI A

The National Union Convention, now
assembled in the city Of Philadelphia.
composed OF delegates from every State
and Territory in the Union. aGmonished
by the solemn lessons which for the last
1--WE years 1t has pleased the Supreme
Ruler Of the Universe to give to the
American people profoundly grateful
Tor the return of peace DESTROYS, as a
large majority Of their countrymen, in
all sincerity. to forget and forgive the
past revering the Constitution rs it
comes To us from our ancestors ; regard
ing the Union, III it, restoration, as more
sacred than ever; looking with deep
anxiety into the future a. Of instant and
continuing trial, hereby issue and pro-
claim the following declaration of prin-
cples and purposes upon which they
have with perfect unanimity agreed =
f9rAt-We bail with gratitude to AL
mighty God 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
upon the general government, una
bridged and unalterea, and It has pre-
served the Union with the equal rights,
teet and unimpaired.
Third Representation in the Con-
gress of the United States and in the
Electoral College Is a right recognized
by the constitution as abiding in every
State and a~ q duty imposed upon its
people, fundamental in its nature and
essential to the exercise of cur republic
cap institutions; and neither Congress
nor the general government has any
authority or power to deny this RIGHT to
aaH, or withhold Is enjoy ment, under
theconstitatien, from thepeople thereof.
oHrfh-We call upon the people Of
the nlted STATES 20 elect to Congress rs
members thereof none but men who adj
IL tllis fundamental right Of represent
{&ilon. and Who viii receive to seats
tHeir loyal representatives from every
State in allegiance "a the United States,
subject Ia Tic constitutional right OF
each house 10 iadgt of the election re-
turns AID qualifications O itsoAn mem
hers.
ki4H=-The constitution of the United
States, ana the law. made in pursuance
thereof, aethr supreme laws of the
Ind. anything III fhe constitution or
lawson any state Ia the contrary not
Nittstandln". All the powers not con
fefrea by the constitution upon the "en-
tI8l government Tor prohibited by il to
tie States are reserved 10 The States err
the people thereof: and among the
rights thu ftsesv d to the States is the
rights TO prescribe qualifications for the
elective franchise therein, which right
Congress cannot interfere With No
State or convention Of States has the
RIGHT To Withdraw FROM the Union, or to
exclude, through their action in Con
Fress or otherwise, any State or States
from the Union. The union of these
States is perpetual.
Si9h-Such amendments to the con
sti'ution of the United States may be
made by the people thereof as they may
det III eNPedienl, but only in the mode
pointed out by lis resolution, and pro-
losing such amendments, whether by
Congress or by Il convention, and in
ratitA ing the same, all the States of the
Union have an equal and an indefeasi-
bic right to voice and a vote thereon.
ScrGah-Slaverv is abolished and for
over prohibited, and there is neither de-
sire nor purpose on the part of the
Southern States that it should ever be
re-establshed upon the soil or within
the jurisdiction of the United States,
and the entranchised slaves in all the
States of the Union should receive, in
common with all their inhabitants,
equal protection in every right of per-
son and property.
EXPLAINING we regard as utterly
invalid and never 10 be assumed or
made OF binding force any obligation
incurred or undertaken in making war
against TIE United States, we hold the
debt Of the nation TO be sacred and in
violable, and ave proclaim our purpose
III discharging this, as in performing all
other national obligations, to maintain
unimpaired and ,inimpeached the honor
and the faith Of the republic.
AfhfA-it is the duty of the national
government 10 recognize the services of
the federal soldiers and sailors in the
contest Just closed, t,y meeting promptly
ard fully all their just and rightful
Claims for the services they have ren-
dered the nation. and by extending to
those OF the8i who have survived, and
to the widows and orphans OF those who
have fallen, the most generous and con-
sldefate care.
I7Hh-ln Andrew Johnson, President
OF the Uni cd States, who in his great
Office has p DYED steadfast in his devo-
ton to H., constitution, the laws and