Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-08-23

nifty and authority of the States perfect and
unimpaired.
Third. Representation in the Congress of
the United States and the Electoral College is
right recognized by the Constitution as abb
ding in every State, and as duty imposedup-
on the people, fundamental in its nature and
essential to the existence of our republican in
stitutions and neither Congress nor the Gener-
al Government has any authority or power to
deny this right to any State, or to withhold
its endowment under the Constitution, from the
people thereof.
Fourth. We call upon the people of the
United States to elect to Congress as members
thereofnone but men who admit this fundamen-
tai right of representation, and who will re-
ceive 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 qualiiica-
tions of its own members
Fifth. 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 General
Government. nor prohibited by it to the States,
are reserved to the States, or to the people there
of: and. among the rights thus reserved to the
States is the right to prescribe the qualification
for the elective franchise therein, with which
right Congress cannot interfere. No State or
combination of States has the right to withdraw
from the Union, or to exclude, through their
action in Congress or otherwise, any other State
or States from the Union. The Union of these
States is perpetual.
Sixth. Such amendments to the Constitu-
ton 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 provi-
sions and in proposing such amendments,
whether by Congress or by convention, and
in ratifying the same, all the States OF the
Union have an equal and an indeieasble right
to voice and a vote thereon.
Seventh Slavery is abolished and forever
prohibited, and there is neither desire nor pur-
pose on the part of the Southern States that it
should ever be re-establshed upon the soil, or
within the jurisdiction of the United States and
the enfranchised slaves in all the States of the
Union should receive, in common with all their
inhabitants, equal protection in every right Of
person and property.
Eighth. While we regard as utterly invalid
and never to be assumed or made of binding
force. any obligations incurred or undertaken
in making war against the United States, we
hold the debt of the Nation to be sacred and
inviolable; and we proclaim our purpose In
discharging this, as in performing all other
national obligations, to maintain unimpalred
and unimpeached the honor and the faith Of
the Republic.
Ninth. 1t is the duty of the National Gov
eminent to recognize the services of the FEEDER
al soldiers and sailors in thecontest just closed,
by meeting promptly and fully all their justand
rightful claims for the services they have rem
dered 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 consideratc care.
Tenth. In Andrew johnson, President Of
the United States. who in his great office, has
proved Stcadlast in his devotion to the ConSti-
tuition, the laws, and interests Of his country
unmoved by persecution and undeserved re-
proach. having faith unassaiIable in the people
and in the principles of free government, we
recognize a Chief Magistrate worthy of the
Nation and equal to the great crisis upon which
his lot is cast and we tender to him, in the
discharge of his high and responsible duties,
our profound respect and assurance Of our cor
dial and sincere support.
And at two o'clock the Convention adjourn
ed in the best possible temper, full of enthusi-
asm and confidence as to the effect of their la
bors.