Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-07-11
A National Union Convention.

ington have published call for q
National Convention 20 assemble IN
Philadelphia on the l4th of August
next, for the purpose OF defeating the
dis.union scheme Of the Radicals and
devise measures to have a more per-
feet union, and in support OF which
the following address has been issued
and signed by every Democratic Uni
ted States Senator and member OF
Congress. This Convention is to be
composed of two delegates from every
Congressional District from Maine to
Texas, and will undoubtedly be the
most interesting political assemblage
that has assembled in this country for
a long time:
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Dangers threaten. The Constitu-
tion-the citadel of our libertics-is
directly assailed. The future is dark,
unless the people will come to the
rescue.
In this hour of peril national union
should be the watchword OF every
true man.
As essential to national union We
must maintain unimpaircd the rights,
the dignity, and the equality OF the
States, including the right of represen-
tation in Congress, and the exclusive
right of each State to control its own
domestic concerns, subject only to the
constitution of the United States.
After a uniform construction of the
constitution for more than half cen
tury, the assumption of new and arbi-
trary powers in the federal govern
ment is subversive of our system and
destructive of liberty.
A free interchange of opinion and
kind feeling between the citizens OF
ali the States is necessary to the per-
petuity of the Union. AT present
eleven States are excluded from the
national council For seven long
months the present Congress has per.
sistently denied any right of repre-
sentation to the people Of these States.
Laws affecting their highest and dear
est interests have been passed without
their consent, and in disregard of the
fundamental principle of free govern
ment. This denial Of representation
has been made to all the members
from a State, although the State, in
the language of the President, "prc-
sents itself, not only in an attitude OF
loyalty and harmony, but in the per-
sons of representatives whose loyalty
cannot be questioned under any exist
ing ns.itutional test" The repre-
sentatives of nearly one-third of the
States have not been consulted with
reference to the great questions of the
day. There has been no nationality
surrounding the present Congress-
There has been. .nointercourso between
the representatives Of the two sec
tions, producing mutual confidence
and respect. In the language of the
distinguished Lieutenant General, 'it
is to be regretted that, at this time
there cannot be greater comming
ling between tho citizens Of the two
sections, and particularly of those in
trusted with the law-making power
This state of things should be removed
at once and forever.
Therefore, to preserve the nationa
! Union, to vindicate the sufiiciency o
our admirable constitution, to guarC
the States from covert attempts tC
deprive them of their true position il
Ithe Union, and to bring together
those who are unnaturally severed
and for these great national purposes
only, we cordially approve the cal
for National Union Convention, t
be held at the city of Philadelphia, oil
the second Tuesday (l4th) of Angus
next, and endorse the principles there
IN set forth.
We, therefore, respectfully but ear
nestly urge upon our fellow-citizen
in each State and Territory and con
gressional districtn the United States
in the interest of Union and in spir
it Of harmony, and with direct refer
ence to the principles contained il
said call, to act promptly in the sc
lection Of wise. moderate and conser
vative men, to represent them in sait
convention, TO the end that all State
shall at once be restored to their prac
tical relations to the Union, the con
stitution be maintained, and peac,
bless the whole country.