The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1866-09-28
DECLARATION Of PRINCIPLES
ADOPTED By
THE. PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION.
ADOPTED BY

The National Union Convention, now assembled
in the city OF Philadelphia, composed Of delegates
from every State and Territory in the Union, ad.
monished by the solemn lessons which for the last
Eve years 1t has pleased the Supreme Ruler OF the
Universe to give the American people, profoundly
grateful for the return Of peace, DESTROYS as are a
large majority OF their fellow-countrymen in all
sincerity, 10 forget and TO forgive the past, rever-
ing the consiitut ion as IL comes to us from our an
%eestors, regarding The Union, in It's restoration, as
more sacred than ever, looking with anxiety into
the future as Of instant Importance, hereby issues
and proclaims the following declaration OF princi.
eiples and purposes, on which they have with per
feet unanimity agreed:
L We hail. with gratitude TO Almighty God, the
end Of war, aud the return Of peace to our afflicted
and beloved land.
2. The war just closed has maintained the au-
ithorty Of the constitution, with all the pc wers
which it confera, and all the restrictions which II
imposes upon the general government unabridged
and unRltered, and II has preserved the Union with
the equal rights dignity and authority OF the States
perfect and unimpaired.
o. Representation in the Congress Of the United
States, and in the Electoral College, is a right rec.
ognized in the constitution as abiding in every
State, and as a duty imposed upon its people fun.
damental In It's nature, aud essential to the exis-
tence Of our republican Institutions, neither Con.
gress nor the General Government has any power
or authority to deny this right to any State, or to
withhold Its enjoyment, under the constitution
from The people thereof.
1. We call upon the people Of the United States
70 elect to Congress as members thereof none but
men who admit this fundamental right OF repre-,
s~entation, and who will recommend to seats therein
loyal representatives from every State in allegiance
TO the United States, subject only TO the %cOnstitu.
tional right Of each House to judge Of the election
returns and qualifications of its owl members.
8. The constitution Of the United States and
laws made In pursuance thereof, are the supreme
law OF the land, any thing in the constitution OF
laws Of any State 10 the contrary Notwithstanding,
All powers not conferred by the constitution upor
the General Government, nor prohibited by IL e
States, are reserved 70 the several States or TO the
people thereof aud amV ng the rights thus resery
sd 90 the States is the right TO prescribe The
qualifications Tor the elective franchise therein
which right Congress can not interfere with. NJ
State or combination OF States has the right t
Withdraw from The Union, or TO exclude through
their action In Congress, or otherwise, any othel
State or S~tates-fTpm the Union. The Union Of
these States Is perpetual and eau not be dissolved
8. Such amendments 10 the constitution OF tn,
United States may be made by the peOple thereon
AZ they may deem expeaient, in the mode pointed
out by ls provision aud In proposing sueI
hmtndments, whe ther by Congress or by a eOnyen
ttOn, and In IAtifying the same, all the States II
the Union have an equal and al indefeasible righ
20 a voice and vote thereon.
y. Slavery is abolished and forever prohibited
There il neither design nor purpose, on the par
OF the Southern States, that IL should ever be re
established upon the soil or within the jurisdiction
OF the United States. and the enfranchised slaves
In all the States Of the Union, should receive, /
common with all their inhabitants, equal prUtec
.ton, in every right OF person aud property.
s.. While we regard rs utterly invalid, and neye
20 be assumed On made Of binding fOIee, any obi
cation incurred or undertaken in making wa
against the United States, we hold the debt Of tl
nation 10 be sacred aud inviolable, aud we pr0claiI
our purpose, In discharging this duty as in pea
forming all other national obligations, 10 MAINTAIN
unimpalred and uniDPeached the honor aud fait
OF the Repnpio.
.. IL Is the duty Of the National Government 4
recognize the services of the Federal soldiers an,
sailors In the contest just closed by NEE, ing pronD
ty and fully all their just and TiKhtful claims 10
services they have rendered the nation, and by ex
tending 20 th0se who have survived, and tue wild
Ows aud Orphans OF those who fell, the most gene
F0us aud considerate care.
10. In Andrew johnson, President OF the Unite
STATED, who in bis great office has proved steadfas
In his devotion 10 the Constitution and the int
ests OF country qnm0ged by persecution aud unde
served reproach, having faith unassailed in TN
people and the principle OF free government, W,
recognize a Chief Magistrate who Is worthy OF tn
nation, aud equal 90 the great crisis upon whiel
his lOt 10 cast, and We tender 10 him ia the dis
charge OF his high aud responsible duties our pro
tsona respect, and tbs assurance u our eOrdia
end sipcsse support. Z w