Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-08-24


AS an advertising medium, its columns plainly
show how it is appreciated by discerning public
In our last we noticed the converting Of
the Philadelphia Convention, with the utmost
harmony prevailing between its members
This harmony was not disturbed during its
entire session, and it may truthfully be said
to have been the most harmonious Convcn-
ton ever assembled.
We give below the declaration of princi-
pies unanimously adopted by the Convention
as was also the address to the people of the
Unite States, which, owing to its length, we
arc unable to publish.
We were not of those who expected any
great good from the presence of Southern
delegations in this Convention, believing that
the contest to be waged was exclusively be-
tween the Democrats and Conservatives of
the North on the one side and the Radicals
on the other. We believed that in the reso-
lutions and address of the Convention isome
things would be stated in a way not very pal
atable to Southern Delegates if present and
participating, and we counseled the sending
of representative men to Philadelphia, not to
participate in the Convention. but to assure,
if further assurance were needed, the Democ-
racy and Conservative Republicans Of our
willingness to cooperate with them for the
preservation of the Constitution, the restora-
ton of the Union with the rights of all the
States unimpaired, and the consequent over
throw of radicalsm. An opposite course
was, however, deemed best to be pursued.
We are not therefore disposed to cavil at what
we anticipated would appear in the exposition
of principles of this Convention. In the main
we think the Northern Delegations have ex-
hibited conservatism, which, in so large an
assemblage Of men from different sections,
and of so great diversity of past political
opinions, was scarcely to be expected.
Read with the spirit of conservatism which
pervaded the Convention in view, there is
but little to which we can object Yet there
is little which can scarcely be credited as
having received the unanimous assent of
body, which contained so many members who
by their approval thus condemned their own
past course and opinions. Nevertheless it is
80. We are however disposed to be Chart
able to them, and believe that they were will
ing to make few sacrifices to secure the ul-
innate good to result to the whole country
from the defeat of the radicals
In this spirit we are not disposed to point
out those resolutions to which we assent, and
those, which, both in their tenor and phra-
seology, are Objectionable, preferring the
rather to give the resolutions as passed, and
let our readers judge Of their merits, unbiased
by anything we might say.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
The National Union Convention, now as
scmbled in the city of Philadelphia, compos-
ed of delegates from every State and Terri
tory in the Union, admonished by the SOL
emn lessons which for the last five years it
has pleased the Supreme Ruler of the Uni
verse to give to the American people; pro-
foundly grateful for the return of peace de-
srous, as are large majority of their coun-
trymen, in all sincerity, to forget and forgive
the past; revering the Constitution as it
comes to us from our ancestors; regarding
the Union in it's restoration more sacred than
ever; looking with deep anxiety into the fu-
ture as of instant and continuing trial. here
by issues and proclaims the following decla-
ration of principles and purposes on which
they have, with perfect unanimity agreed
l. We hail with gratitude to Almighty
God the end of war and return of peace to an
afflicted and beloved land.
2. The war just closed has maintained the
authority of the Constitution, with all the
powers which it confers and all the restric-
tons which it imposes upon the General Gov
eminent, unabridged and unaltered, and
has preserved the Union with the equal rights
dignity and authority of the States perfect
and unimpaircd.
3. 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 impos-
ed upon its people, fundamental in its nature
and essential to the existence of our repub-
lican institutions. And neither Congress nor
the general government has any authority as
power to deny this right to any State, or
to withhold its enjoyment, under the consti-
tuition, from the people thereof
4. We call upon the people of the United
States to elect to Congress, as members there
of, none but men who admit this right of
fundamental representation, and who will re-
ccive to seats therein loyal representatives
from every State in allegiance to the United
States, subject to the constitutional right Of
each house to judge Of the election returns
and qualifications of its own members
5. The Constitution of the United States
and the laws made in pursuance thereof are
the supreme law of the land, anything in the
constitution or laws of any State to the con-
trary Notwithstanding. All the powers not
conferred by the Constitution upon the Cen
eral Government, nor prohibited by it to The
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