The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-08-17

any State or states from tno Cuiou. Inc union
of these states ID perpetual,
eth. Such amendments to the constitution of
the United States may be made by the people
thereof q may be deemed expedient, but only in
the lode pointed out by its resolution and pro-
posing such amendments whether by congress- or
bya convention, and in ratifying the same all the
states of the Union have an equal and an indie
feasible right to a voice and vote therein.
18th. Slavery is abolished and forever prohibit
ed and there is neither desire nor purpose on the
part OF the southern states that it should ever
be reestabliseed On the soil or within the juris-
diction of the United States and the enfranch-
ised slaves in all the states of the Union should
receive, in common with all their inhabitants,
equal promotion in every right of person and
property.
sth While we regard as utterly invalid and
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 invioiable, and
we proclame our purpose in di5chareing this as
in performing all other national obligations to
MAINTAIN unimpaired and unimpeached the honor
and 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 all their just and righttul
claims for services they rendered the nation and
by extending to those of them who survived, and
to widows and orphans of those who have fallen,
the most gene and considerable care.
10th In : drew Johnson, President of the
United States, who, in his great Office. has
proved steadfast in his devotion to the CoIstitu-
ton the laws and the interests of his country,
unmoved by prosecutions and undeserved re-
proach, having faith Unreasonable in the peo-
pie and in the principles of the Government, we
recognize chief-magstrate worthy of the nation,
and equal to the great crisis upon which his lot
IN him in fha discharge
of his high and responsible duties, our profound
respect and assurance of our cordial and sincere
support.
After the vote had been taken on the adop-
ton ofthe foregoing declaration OF principles,
it was found that the reading OF the seventh
one had been omitted by accident. ana this
fact was announced by Senator Dooiittie.
|. was then read and adopted with great
applause and unanimlty.
The declaration OF principles was then
adopted as a whole, with enthusiastic cheers.
After the adoption three cheers were called
for, and given in the most enthusiastic man
ners for Cowan, of Pennsylvania.
Senator Cowan acknowledged the eompli.
aent, but said as he considered himselfthe host
of the convention, ons OF his distinguished
gueet. would address it by virtue of authority
unanimously derived from the committee on
II. Ray mond
Mr. Raymond then proceeded TO read the
address, which had been written by himself,
as had also the declaration of principles. lie
was 50 frequently interrupted by applause,
that the chairman appealed t. the convention
to restrain such N manifestations until the read
ing of the address should be concluded. New
ertbeless, at the close of one sentence, dsolar-
ing that no people subjected to such treat
ment as that to which the south was now sui
iected. could remain loyal, eheer after cheer
resounded through the wigwsm.
Senator johnson asked that the sentence
be repeated. The sentence was read again as
follows:
No people subjected TO suoh treatment as
that to which the south was now ubject,
could long remain loyal and the ten millions
of Americans who live in the south would be
unworthy citizens of tree country, degener-
ate sons OF an heroic ancestry, unfit even to be-
come the guardians of the rights bequeathe ed
to US by the fathers and founders Of the re-
public, if they could accept with uncomplain'
ing submissiyeness the humiliation thus
sought to be imposed upon them.
This sentiment was again cheeTed with the
greatest enthusiasm, and at the close OF the
reading of the address, ex Gov. Perry, of SC,
rose and moved it's adoption.
The motion was declared carried unaGi-
mously, amid prolonged cheering.
Mr. Samuel J. Tildsn, OF \ Y, then arose
and proposed, on behalf of the New York del
egation, three cheers Tor Hon. Henry Ray
mond, who prepared the address just read.
Mr.. Patton, on behalf of the Pennsylvania
delegation, seconded the call.
The cheers wers then enthusiastically Civ
en-.
The address will not make far from four
solid columns in the New York morning pa.
pers.
1t demands the universal acknowledgment
of the legitimate consequences OF the war,
which are the perpetual maintenance of the
Union and the destruction of slavery.
1t asserts that the government acquired no
new rights or powers by the war that 1t act
ed only on the defensive, Congress had pas.
sed a resolu Ion that when the war closed, all
the powers lad dignity of the states should
remain unimpsired and intact. The power
assumed by the government in the states,
since the war closed, was In violation to the
cons titution The consultation declares that
no state shall without it's own consent, be de-
prived of it's equal representation in the sen.
ate. The action Of congress denying repre-
| sentatiou to the southern shakespeare to be
as great an effort to overthrow the govern.
ment as was that by armed rebellion.
Ii one congress can exclude oD one pretext
another congress may exclude other states on
another There is no warrant for this in the
constitution. Not only cannot representation
be excluded from congress, but no state with.
cat it's own consent can be deprived of equal
representation In the senate even by an am
endment of the constitution. The only pre-.
text for the action Of congress ia that the
states lately in rebellion have Loaf their RICH,
| 10 presentation. W hiah the supreme govern
10 ent only can restore, but il lie principle
hat no right cen be forfeited nor can the
right or duty Of state being represented in
congress be impaired by rebellion. Only its
| enjoyment of that privilege can be obstruct
ed. -
The address further asserts that the posi-
tion OF congress in the matter is not eompati
bic with the public safety. 1t is also argued
| that three-fourths of the loyal states cannot
change the fundame entail law affecting the 9th.
ers, and thst we have no right to pass iudg.
ment upon the motives of any citizen of the
United States when his acts are loyal. No
where are the laws now obeyed better than in
the states lately in rebellion. The disturb
ancss that have occurred were due as much
to iniudicious political movements as any
purpose hostile to the government. 1t the
81, rbo,r . bor