North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-08-08
The Soldiers Convention.

The Soldiers Convention.
The Soldiers Convention held on We'd
nesday last, at Harrisburg, was one ofthe
most harmonious and enthusiastic ever
convened ii this state. Unlike the bogus
concern at Pittsburg, this was a gathering
of real soldiers, and not packed meeting of
broken down politicians and party hacks.
Fox numbers and character of representa-
tivee, it had its thousands of war-worn vet
Grams, where the Geary, Thad Stephens
negro equality affair had its hundreds
1t was composed of the earnest, honest,
brave men of our state who enlisted in the
late war and fought for the restoration of
the Union and the supremacy of the Con-
stitution and laws. Men who are unwill
ing that all their tolls and sacrifices shall be
in vain, and for the building up of party
of abolition fanatics and negrophilists, men
who feel that their treasure, their blood,
and the lives of their comrades have en-
titled them to restored union, without
degrading them to condition of inferiori-
ty to the negro. Every district of the
State was represented, and that, too, by
men who think and act for themselves .
Want of space forbids a publication of
their names, or detailed account of their
proceedings. The following resolutions
embodying their sentiments were unani-
mously adopted,
LET EVERY SOLDIER READ THEM.
RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, The Convention managed and
controlled by politicians, which assembled
in Pittsburg on the 5th ofJune last. plrdg-
ed the officers, soldiers and sailors of Penn
svlvania to the support of the Radical dis
union members of Congress. and as opposed
to the just and constitutional restoration
policy of President johnson; and
Whereas, The members of the said Con-
vention falsely styled themselves the repre-
seatatives of the soldiers and sailors of
Pennsylvania, and presumed to speak for
them without authority: and
Whereas, The proc@, dlngs of the SAID
Convention misrepresent the trne sent-
ments of the great mass of the returned
soldiers and sailors of this State, and do
great injustice to the late defenders of the
Constitution and the Union therefore be
it
ResolUed, That we, the authorized rep
resentatives of our late companions in arms,
do repudiatc the proceeding of the Pitts
burg Convention OF the 9th of June, be
cause they do not represent the true sentl-
ments of the officers, soldiers, and seamcn,
of Pennsylvania.
R@:oired, That we hold the same belief
now lat we did when we took up arms in
1861, ti,a. the war was var for the Union,
and for no other purpose that the agree
ment we made with the government when
We tobk up arms to defend her against
armed rebellion is found in the Joint reso-
luton of Congress, adopted Jnly p, 1861.
which declares that this war is not prosec,
ted on our part in any spirit IF oppressior,
nor for any purpose Of conquest or snbju-
cation, but to defend and maintain the su-
premacy of the Constitution, and to pre-
serve the Union with all the dignity, equal
ity and rights of the several States unim-
paired This is the bond many sealed with
their lives, a.d many others signed in
blood.
ResolUed, That the failure of Congress
to carry into effect this joint resolution af
ter the war is over, and to restore the Un-
ion with all the dignity, equality, and rights
of the several States, nnimpaired, is gross
violation of solemn compact made with
the defenders of the government at her
time Of greatest need and peril.
ReSoLVed, That we :epudiate the action
of the Radical Congress, which is an Insult
to every officer, soldi,r and seaman who
served in the Federal army during the re-
beIlion. Their policy asserts that our VIC
tories accomplished wha, the enemy could
not, divide the Union, and the fruits of our
toll and blood bought victories turned TO
ashes in their hands.
Re,oLoed, That we cord ally endorse the
restoration policy Of President Johnson, as
announced in his annual, special and veto
messages, and As further made known to
the country in his treatment of the States
lately in rebellion We believe it t. BE-
just and better adapted than any other
known policy to restore those States to their
constitutional relations to the Union. and
bring renewed peace, happiness and pros
perity to the country. 1t is in keeping
with the generous tire .ment which mag
unanimous victor awards to brave foe.
RpsotUed, That the action of Congress,
in refusing seats to the Senators aud mem
bers from the South, who bear true allie
glance to the Consituti and laws, while
that body is engaged in changing the fun
damental law of the country in All import
ant particular, is revolutionary in its action:
while their conduct in taxing the South
without her consent strikes at the vital