The Placer herald., 1866-09-01
THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION.
ADDRESS TO THE
PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

FEOFLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
To THE PEOPLE OF THE UNrrRD STATES:
Having met 10 Convention at the City OF
Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania,
this l4tts day Of August. 1866, as represen
tatves OF tie people in all sections. and from
all the States and Territories Of The Union,
to consult upon the condition and wants OF
our &C mmon country. we address to you this
declaration OF our principles, and Of the po-
litical purposes we seek TO promote
Since the meeting Of tie last National
Convention, in the year 1850, events have
occurred which have changed the character
OF our internal politics and given 10 the Uni.
ted States new place among the nations OF
the earth. Our Government has passed
through the vicissitudes and peris of civil
war-a war which, though mainly sectional
in IFS character, has nevertheless decided the
political difference that from the very begin.
ming OF the Government had threatened the
unity ofour national existence, and has left
its impress, deep and inetfaceabIe, upon all
the interests, sentiments and destiny of the
Republic. While it has inflicted upon the
whole country severe losses n life and pro.
perty, and imposed burdens which must
weigh on its resources for generations to
come, it has developed degree of national
courage in the presence of national danger,
capacity for military organization, achieve.
ment, devotion on the part Of the people for
the Government which they have ordained,
and to the principles of liberty which the
Government is designed TO promote, which
must confrm the confidence of the nation in
The rerpelul,y Of its republican institutions
and command the respect Of the world
Like all great contests which arouse the pas
sions and the endurance OF nations, this war
has given a new scope 10 the ambition of po-
lilical parties, and fresh Impulse to plans
Of innovation and reform.
Amidst the chaos of conflicting sentiments
iuseparable from such an era: while the pub
lie heart is keenIy alive 10 lbe passions that
can sway public judgment and effect public
ac,ion; while the wounds of war are still
fresh en- either side, and fears for the future
take unjust proportion from the memories of
the resenlments Of the past-it is difficult
bu, imperative duty which, on your behalf
we who are assembled have undertaken TO
perform. For the first time, after six long
years of alienation and conflict, we have come
together from every State and section Of the
land as citizens of common country, under
the flag which is again the symbol of com
mon glory, to consult together how best to
cement and perpetuate that Union which is
again the object of our common love, thus to
secure the blessings OF liberty TO ourselves
and to our posterity.
In tho fret ,,Iooo mn ;pvoIo rou IN
member always and everywhere, bat the war
is ended and the Nation again at peace
The shock Of coutending armies no longer
sssails the shuddering heart of the Republic
lnsurrection against the supreme authority
Of the Nation has been suppressed, and that
authority again acknowledged by word and
act in every State and by every citizen with
in its jurisdiction. We are no longer re.
quired or permitted 10 regard and treat each
other as enemies. Not only have acts Of
war been discontinued and the weapons OF
war laid aside, but state of war no longer
exists, and the sentiments, passions, and re'
la,ions Of war have no longer lawful or right,
ful place any where throughout our broad do.
main. We are again people of lhe United
Slates-fellow citizens Of one county
bound by the debts and obligations Of COM
mon patriotism, having neither rights or in
,eresls apart from common destiny. The
duties that devolve upon us now are again
the duties Of peace and no longer the duties
of war We have assembled here 10 take
counsel concerning the interests Of peace, 20
decide how we may most wisely and etfectu
ally heal the wounds war has made, perfect
and perpetuate the benefits it has secured
and the blessings which under benign
Providence have sprung up in its fiery track
This is the work, not OF passion, but of calm
sober judgment; not of resentment OF past OF
fenses, prolonged beyond the limits which
justice and reason prescribe, but Of liberal
craftsmanship which ,oerates what it can
not prevent; builds its plans aud hopes fol
the iuture rather upon community Of inter
est than upon distrust and the weapons o
force.
In the second place We call upon you tt
recognize in their foil significance, and &C
cept with all their legitimate consequences
the political results Of the war just closed, il
two most important particulars. The victo
ry achieved by the National Government has
been final and decisive. 1t has established
beyond controversy, BY the highest Of all hu
man sanctions, the absolute supremacy of lh
National Government as defined and lmitee
by the Constitution, the permanent integri
ty and indesiruc,bleness Of the Nationa
Union as necessary consequence, and ais
it has put an end, finally and forever, 10 sls
very upon the soil or within the jurisdiction
Of the United States. Both these points be
came directly involved in the contest, an
the controversy upon both was ended abso
luteIy by the results.
In the third place, we deem it Of the u'
most importance that the real character G
the war and the victory by which it was close
should be accurately understood. The wa
was carried on by The Government iu th
maintenance Of it's own authority, in defens
Of its own existence, both of which were me
naced by the insurrection which it sought I
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