Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-08-22
THE PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION.

National Union Convention assembled
at Philadelphia, and continued in session
for three days. An immense Wigwam ca
pable of holding O.000 persons, had been e
rected for the accommodation of the parti-
cipants and spectators The gathering was
certainly the most miscellaneous affair that
has been seen in this country for many years,
comprising reconstructed Rebels from the
South, inveterate Copperheads from the
North, and perhaps a tithe of disappointed,
doubtful, and adventurous Republicans from
nowhere in particular. Every State, we be-
lieve, was represented, but many of the
prominent men, whose names had hereto
fore been used in connection with the move
ment, were absent. Among those in attend
anee were Gov Randall, the two Biairs,
Doo1ittle. Cowan, Turlow Weed,yd Dean
Richmond, Sunset Cox, Vallandigham, Fer
nando Wood, Gov. Bigler, Judge Wood
ward, Cornelius Wendell, Gov. Orr of South
Carolina, Gov Perry, VIM A Graham,
Reverdy johnson, Garrett Davis, Alex FL,
Stevens, and others of the same stripe.
Gen Dix, of New York, was chosen tenn
porary chairman, and Mr.. Doolittle of Wis
eonsin. as permanent presiding officer, with
a Vice President and Secretary from each
State W 52aI 'ga f9sT1 tauaJ
The managers Of the Convention had ev-
erything ''cut and dried for the occasion,
and by judicious manipulation of Yallan-
digham and Fernando Wood, succeeded in
getting those two immaculate patriots to
Withdraw as delegates, though we can
not see how this, act will rid them of the o.
dunn of their having been Sc MT there by the
party to which they belong.
There was any amount of cheering when
ever any prominent man made his appear
ance, and great was the enthusiasm when
the delegates from Massachusetts, and South
Carolina, headed by Gov. Orr and Gen
| Couch, were asked to come forward, arm
| in arm. .is
On motion of Mr.. Cowan, of Penn'a, a
committee of two from each State and Ter
ritory was appointed tc prepare resolutions
and an address. Mr.. Cowan and Hon.
VIM. Bigler represented Pennsylvania on
this committee.
The committee on resolutions reported
the following platform, or declaration OF
principles: rsaa
The National Union Convention now as
sembed in the city of Philadelphia, com
posed of delegates from every State and
Territory in the Union, admonished by the
solemn lesson which for the last FIVE wears.
it has pleased the Supreme Ruler of the U.
inverse to give the American people; pro
foundly grateful for the return of peace; de
sirous, as large majority of their country
men, in all sincerity to forget and to forgive
the past; revering the Constitution as il
comes to US from our forefathers; regard
!; ing the Union in its restoration as more sa
cred than ever; looking with anxiety into
the future as ofinstant mportance-hereby
issues and proclaims the following declaration
of principles and purposes, on which they
have with perfect unanimity agreed:
First We hail with gratitude to Almigh
ty God the end of the war and the return o.
peace to our afflicted and beloved land.
Second. The war just closed has maintain
: ed the authority of the Constitution, with
all the powers which it confers and all Of
the restrictions which it imposes upon the
General Government unabridged and unaI
tered; and it has preserved the Union. with
the equal rights, dignity, and authority Of
the States perfect and unimpaired.
Third. Representation in the Congress OF
the United States and in the Electoral Col
lege isa right recognized in the Constitution
as abiding in every State, and as a duty i'm
posed upon its people, fundamental in it
nature. and essential to the existence of ou
republican institutions; and neither Con
gress nor the General Government has an,
power or authority to deny this right to any
State, or to withhold its enjoyment under
the Constitution from the people thereof
Fourth We call upon the people of the
United States to elect to Congress, as mem
bers thereof, none but men who admit this
fundamental right of representation, and
who will receive to seats therein loyal repre-
sentatives from every State in allegiance tc
the United States, subject only to the Con
stitutonal right cf each House to Judge ot
the election returns and qualifications of its
own members
Fifth. The Constitution of the United
States and laws made in pursuance thereof
are the supreme law of the land, anything
IN the Constitution or laws of any State to
the contrary Notwithstanding All powers
not conferred by the Constitution upon the
General Government nor prohibited by it to
States, are reserved TO the States or to the
people thereof, and among the rights thus
reserved to the States is the right to pre-
scribe the qualifications for the elective fran
ehise therein, which right Congress cannot
interfere with. 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, and cannot be dissolved.
/ Sixth. Such amendments to the Consti.
tuition of the United States may be made
by the people thereof as they may deem ex-