Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-07-11
THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION
Address tn the Democracy.

The following address. endorsing the So
called National Union Convention to be
held in Philadelphia on the 18th OF August.
1866, has been issued by the Democratic
Senator's and Representatives IN Congress,
and is signed by all of them except Bucka-
lew and Salisbury This fact plainly shows
the general drift and object of the Conyen-
ton, and will enable all TO act understand
ingly in regard to it.
TO the Psople of the United States Dan
gers threaten the Constitution. The citadel
of our liberties is directly assailed. The
future is dark unless the people will come
to the rescue In this hour of peril Ma
tional Union should be the watchword OF
every true man. As essential TO national
union we must maintain unlmpaIred the
rights, the dignity aud the equality of the
States, including the right of representation
in Congress and the exclusive right of each
State TO control its own domestic concerns,
subject only to the Constitution of the u
nited States After uniform construction
of the Constitution tor more than half a
century, in the assumption of new and ar
! bitary powers, the Federal Government is
subversive of our system and destructive of
liberty. a free interchange of opinion and
kind feeling between the citizens of all the
States is necessary to the perpetuity of the
Union.
At present eleven States are excluded
from the national council For seven long
months the present Congress has persistent
ly denied any right of representation to the
people of these States. Laws affecting their
highest and dearest interests have been
PASSED without their consent and in dlsre-
gard OF the fundamental principle OF free
government. This denial of representation
has been made TO all the members from a
State, although the State, in the language
of the President, presents itself not only in
an attitude of loyalty and harmony, but in
the persons OF representatives whose loyalty
cannot be questioned under any existing
constitutional or legal test. The Represen-
tatives Of nearly one third of the States have
not been consulted with reference to the
great questions Of the day. There has been
no nationality surrounding the present Con
gress. There has been no intercourse be-
tween the representatives Of the two sec
tions, producing mutual confidence and re-
spect,
In the language of the distinguished Lieu
| tenant General: 1T is TO be regretted that
| at this time there cannot be greater com
| mingling between the citizens of the two
sections, and particularly of those entrusted
with the law-making power. This state
of things should be removed at once and
forever. Therefore to preserve the Union,
to vindicate the sufficiency of our admira-
bic Constitution, to guard the States from
covert attempts to deprive them of their
| true position in the Union, and to bring to-
| gether those who are unnaturally severed
and for these great national purposes only,
we cordially approve the call for National
| Union Convention, to be held at the city OF
| Philadelphia, on the second Tuesday, four
| teenth day Of August next, and endorse the
principles therein set forth:
| We, therefore, respectfully but earnestly
| urge upon our fellow citizens In each State
and Territory and Congressional district in
| the United States, IN the interest Of union
and in a spirit of harmony. and with direct
reference to the principles contained In said
| call. to act promptly in the selection of wise,
moderate and conservative men to represent
| them in said convention, to the end that
| all the States shall at once be restored to
their practical relations to the Union. the
| Constitution maintained and peace bless the
| whole country.
Signed byW f. Niblack Anthony Thorn
ton, Michael G. Kerr. G. s. Shanklin, Gar
rett Davis. H. Grider, Thos. E. Noell S, J.
Randall, Lewis W. Ross, Stephen Taber,
j. NJ. Humphrey. John Hogan, B. NJ. Boy
er, U. G. Bergen, Chas. Goodyear. Chas.
H. Winfield, A. H. Coffreth, Lowell H.
Rousseau, Philip johnson, Chas. A e.
bridge, John L. Dawson, Reverdy johnson,
Thos A. Hendricks, VIM. Wright, James
Guthrie, J. A. McDougall, VIM. Radford,
| S. S. Marshall, Myer Strouse, Chas. Sit
greaves, S. i. Ancona, 4. n. Hubbell,
B. c. Ritter, A Harding, a j. Glossbren-
ner, i. r. Y. Wright, A. J. Rogers, n.
Mccullough, f. c. lie Blond, and W. E.
| Finck. l.. S. TRIMBLE.
| Washington, July 4, 1866.