The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-08-23

or of the city OF Philadelphia, for his ad
mirable police arrangements for the pre-
servation of peace and good order dur
ing the sittings Of this, Convention.
[Applause.1 Carried unanimously.
Mr.. Cowan, on behalf Of the commit
tee who were appointed to prepare rcso-
lutions and an address, after a very
careful and elaborate consideration of
the same, lasting all day and a great
part Of the night, offered the following
declaration of principles, adopted unani
mously by the committee, which the
Secretary of this Convention will read /;
and also an address to the people OF the
country, which will be read by the Hon.
Mr.. Raymond of New York. Zap,
plause.1
The SccrotaryTthen proceed to read
the declaration of principles.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
The National Union Convention, as.
sembled in the city of Philadelphia,
composed of delegates from every State
and Territory in the Union, issues and
proclaims the following declaration Of
principles and purposes, on which they
have with perfect uuunimity agreed:
lit. We hail with gratitude to Al.
mighty God the end of war and the re-
turn Of peace to an afflicted and
beloved land.
I'd. The war just closed has main
tanned the authority of the Constitution,
with all the powers which it confers, and
all the restrictions which it imposes up
on the General Government, unabridged
and unaltered and it has preserved the
Union with equal rights, dignity and
authority of the States perfect and un-
impaired
Sd. Representation in the Congress
of the United States, and in the Electo-
raj College, is right recognized by the
Constitution as abiding in every State,
and as duty imposed upon Its people.
4th. We call upon the people of the
United States to elect to Congress as
members thereof none but men who ad.
nit this fundamental right of represen-
tatiou, and who will receive to seats
therein loyal representatives from every
State in allegiance to the United States,
subjects the constitutional right of each
House to judge of the election returns
and qualifications of its own members.
5th. 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 contrary notwithstand
ing.
9th. Such amendments to the Consti
tuition of the United States may be
made by the people thereof as they may
deem, expedient, but only in.the mode
pointed out by its provisions.
7th. Slavery is abolished and forever
prohibited, and there is neither desire
nor purpose on the part Of the Southern
States that it should ever be re-estab-
lished upon the soil or within the juris.
diction of the United States; and the
enfranchised slaves in all the States Of
the Union should receive, in common
with all their inhabitants, equal protec.
tion in every right Of person and prop
erty,
Stb. While we regard as utterly inva,
lid aud never to be assumed or made OF
binding force, any obligation incurred
or undertaken in making war against
the United States, we hold the debt OF
the nation to be sacred and inviola6le
and we proclaim our purpose in dis,
charging this, as in performing all other
national obligation, to be to maintain
unimpaired and unimpeached the honor
and the faith of the Republic.
9th. 1t is the duty of the National
Government to recognize the services Of
the Federal soldiers and sailors in the
contest just closed, by meeting promptly
and fully their just and rightful claims
for the services they have rendered the
nation, and by extending to those Of
them who have survived, and to the
widows and orphans of those who have
fallen, the most generous and consider
ate care.
10th. In Andrew johnson, President
of the United States, who in his grea
office has proved steadfast in his devo