The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1866-07-19
SOUTHERN CONVENTION.

ADDRESS TO LOYAL CITIZENS OF THE
soUTH-THE ISSUE TO BE MET-THE
PERNICIoUS DOCTRINES OF STATE SOW
EREIGNTY-TRUE sOUTHERNERs INvI-
TED TO ASSEMBLE IN INDEPENDENCE
HALL.
WASHINGTON, July lI.-The follow
ing is the call for a Convention of South
ern Unionists to be held in independence.
Hall, in the city of Philadelphia, on the
first Monday of September, 1866 -
To the Loyal Unionist of the South -
The great issue is upon US The maiori-
ty in Congress and its supporters firmly
declare that "the rights Of the citizens
enumerated in the Constitutions and es-
tablished by the supreme law must be
maintained inviolate''
Rebels and Rebel sympathizers assert
that "the rights of the citizens must be
left to the States alone, and under such
regulations as the respective States choose
voluntarily to prescribe"
We have seen the doctrine of State Sow
erelSnty carried out in its practical results
until all authority in Congress was de-
MED, the Union temporarily destroyed,
the constitutional rights of the citizens of
the South nearly annihilated, and the
land desolated by civil war The time
has come when the restructure of South
ern State Government must be laid on
constitutional principles, or the despot-
ism grown up under an atrocious leader
ship be permitted to remain. We know
of no other plan than that Congress, un-
der its constitutional powers, shall now
exercise its authority to establish the prin-
clple whereby protection is made cock
tensive with citizenship.
We maintain that no State, either by
It's organic laws or legislation can make
Itransgression on the rights of the citizen
legitimate.
We demand, and ask you to concur in
demanding, protection 20 every citizen of
the great Republic, on the basis of equal
lty before the law and, further, that no
State Government should be recognized
as legitimate under the Constitution so
far as it does not, by its organic law,
make impartial protection full and COM
plete.
Under the doctrine of estate Sover-
eighty" with Rebels in the foreground
controlling Southern Legislatures, and
embittered by disappointment in their
schemes to destroy the Union, there will
be no safety for the loyal element Of the
South. Our reliance for protection is
now in Congress, and the great Union
party that has stood and is now standing
by the nationality, by the constitutional
rights, and by the benefcent principles
OF free government.
For the purpose of bringing the loyal
/ Unionists of the South into coniunctive
action with the true friends of Republi-
can Government in the North, we invite
you to send delegates, in goodly numbers,
from all the Southern States, including
Missouri, Kentucky, West Virginia, Ma
ryland and Delaware, to meet at Inde
pendence Hall, in the city of Philadel-
phia, on the first Monday of September
next.
1t Is proposed that we should meet at
that time to recommend measures for the
establishment Of such Government in the
South as accords with and protects the
rights Of all citizens. We trust this call
will be responded to by numerous dele
CATION of such as represent the true 10y
ality of the South. That aid of Govern
ment which gives full protection to all
the rights of the citizens, such as our fa-
theirs intended, we claim as our birthright.
Either the lovers of Constitutional liber-
ty must rule the nation, or Rebels and
their sympathizers be permitted to mis-
rule it.
Shall loyalty or disloyalty have the
keeping of the destinies of the nation p
Let tie responses to this CALL which is
now in circulation for signatures, and is
being numerously signed, answer.
Notice is given that gentlemen at dis
tance can have their names attached to
it by sending request by letter, directed
to d. w. Bingham, Esq, Washington,
D. G.
". &. Stokes, Tenn; James Fowler,
Tenn; James Gettys, Tenn; c. B. Sa-
bin, Texas; Henry G.. Cole, Georgia /;
John r. Kelso, No.. Geo. w Anderson,
Mo-; j. Hamilton, Texas j. NJ. Stew
art, Alexandria Va. :; Allen G. Harmon,
Va; j. w. Hunuicutt, Va; Burnham
Wardwell, Va; Byron Latin, N. c. !;
George Reese, Ala. NJ. j. Saffold, Ala.
Geo. w. Paschal, Texas Lorenzo Sher-
wood, Texas; G. w. Ashburn, Georgia
j. w. McClurg, Mo-; j. +. Benjamin,
Mo. John B. Troth, Fairfax c. H. Va
w. Nj. Berkley, Va. Lewis McKensie
! Va. Jno. G. Underwood, Va; Alex
NJ. Davis, Va; d. II. Goodloe, n. G.
! D. H. bingham, Ala. j. III. Larcombe
Ala
: Washington, July 4th, 1866.