Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-08-23
ADDRESS
2 United States:

10 the I'tOItP o. ne CItued StdteS:
Having met in Convention at the city of Philadelphia
in the State of Pennsylvania, this, 10Th day of August
1866 the representatives of the people in all sections
and all the States and Territories OF the Umon to consult
HpOn the condition and the wants of the common cOun
Try, address to you this declaration of principles
and of the political purposes We seek to promote
Since the meeting of the last National Convention, in
1GO events have occurred which have changed the char
actef OF our internal ohtlcs ana gwen the Qntd States
q place among the nations of the EARTH Our gov
eminent has passed through the vcssudes and the per-
as OF civil war; war which, though manly sectional IN
It's character, has erhcess decided political differences
That from the very beginning of the government had
threatened the unity OF national existence and has left
It's impress deep and ineacabe upon all the interests,
continents and the destiny of the Republic.
While it has inflicted upon the whole country severe
nsses in life and III property and has imposed burdens
which must EelSh On ITS resources tor generations to
he 1t has developed degree OF national courage III the
presence of national dangers, capacity for military
sanitation and achievement, and devotion the part
t the people to the form OF government which they have
ordained and to the principles of liberty which that gov
ernment was designed to promote which must confirm
me confidence OF the nation III the Perpetulty OF Its he
publican institutions and command the respect of the civ
ions and test the endurance of nations, this has Civ
the ambition of political parties and fresh
chaos of conflicting sentiments nseparabe from such an
while the public heart is keenly alive to all the pas
siOns that sway the public judgment and affect the
public cions; while the wounds of var still fresh
bleeding either side and fears for the future take
Just proportions from the memories and resenments of
She past, it is difficult but imperative duty which on
Our behalf who are here assembled have undertaken
For long years alienation
II conflict have together from every State and
every section Of our land citizens of common
try under that flag, the symbol again of common glory
/" consult together howbest to cement and perpetuate
that union which is again the object of common love-
and thus secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and
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 contendin arms no longer
assals the shudderinG heart of the republic The nslr
ccOn against the supreme authority Of the nation has
been suppressed and that authority has been again ack
uoWie%ed by word and act III State and by
citizen within its jurisdiction We longer required
or permitted to regard treat each other enemies
discontinued
weapons of var laid aside but the of longer
exists and the sentiments, the passions the relations of
war have longer lawful or rghtfu place anywhere
throughout broad domain. we are again people of
the United Sates-felow citizens OF country bound
by the duties and obligations of common patriotism and
having neither rights interests apart from copnon
destiny. The duties that devove upon us now again
he duties Of peace, and no longer the duties Of
We have assembled here to take council concerning the
interests OF peace to decide how We may most wisely and
effectively heal the wounds the war has made and perfect
perpetuate the benefits it has secured and the bless
ln@s which, under wise and benign Providence, nave
sprung up fiery track. This the work not OF pas
On but of calm and sober Judgment not of resentment
Tor past Offences prolonged beyond the limits which JUS
lice and reason prescribe but of liberal craftsmanship
which toeraes what cannot prevent and builds its plans
and its hopes fer the future rather upon community OF
interest and ambition upon disrust and the weapons
u force. In the next place, we call upon you to TecoS
ME in their full significance, and to accept with all their
legitimate conse luences the political results of the war
Just closed IN the most important particular the victory
achieved bv the national COVE nment has been final and
decisive. First it has established, beyond all further
controversy, and by the highest of all human sanctions,
the absolute supremacy of the national government as
defined limited by the constitution of the United
states and the permanent integrity and indssolubity OF
S,e Federal Union as a necessary consequence. And
ond has put an end finally and forever to the exs
OF slavery upon the soil or within the jurisdiction OF
me United States.
Both these points came directly involved in the contest,
" INV upon both ended absolutely and final
utmost result In the third place. we deem it OF the
and T Portance that the real character OF the war,
tory by which closed should be accurtely
of the Tnt The carried on by the government
afn tso States in mantence Of its authority and in
by the m own existence, both of which were menaeed
suppression of @ which it sought to suppress me
df & OF the United States maintained by force
over all the authority over all the territory and
no n constitution eonr upon it. But It acquired thereby
TERRITORIAL 40 enlarged jurisdiction; lights either
not or of civil authority which it did
full pnw peIore the rebellion broke out. All the right
Fel II can ever possess ia that which ia conferred