Glasgow weekly times., 1866-08-24
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.


in the city OF PHILADELPHIA, composed OF delega les
from every State and Territory in the Union, ad-
monished by he solemn lessons which for The last
FIVE years il has pleased the Supreme Ruler of the
Universe 10 give to the American people; pro-
foundly greaiful for the return of peoce desirous
es large majority Of their courtrymen are in all
sincerity 10 forget and forgive the past revering
the Constitution as il came 10 us from our ances-
tors; regarding The Uuion in its restoration
sacred than ever; looking with deep anxiety to the
future of instant and continuing trial. hereby is
sue and proclaim the following declaration or
| principles and purposes on which they have with
perfect unanimity agreed:
First-We hail with gratitude to Almighty God
the end OF war and the return Of Peace to our af
ficted and beloved country.
Second-The war just closed has maintained
the authority of the Constitution with all the
powers which il conters, and all the restrictions
which it imposes upon the General Government,
unabridged and unatered, and it has preserved the
Union with the lawful rights, dignity and author
ity of the States perfect and unimparied.
Third--Representation in the Congress of the
U. s., and in the Electoral College, is a right
recognized by the Constitution as abiding in eye-
| ry State, and as duty imposed upon the people,
fundamental in its nature and essential TO the ex-
ercise Of our republican institutions; aud neither
| Congress nor the General Government has any
authority or power to deny this right to any, or
withhold its enjoyment under the Constitution
| from the people thefpof.
Fourih-We call pon the people of the United
States to elect ~ ON$sress as members none but
sentation and who will receive TO seats the Loyal
! representatives from every State in allegiance 10
| the United States who will submit to the Consti-
tutionality of each House 10 judge Of the election
returns and qualifications of IFS members.
Fffth-Ihat the Constitution Of the United
States and the laws thereof are the Supreme Law
of the land, anything in the Constitution or law:
of any State 10 the contrary notwithstanding. al
the powers moi conferred by the Constitution on the
| General Government nor prohibited by the State:
are reserved 10 the States. The right TO prescribe
| qualifications for the elective franchise therein
which right Congress cannot interfere with. NJ
State Convention of States has the risht tc
withdraw from the Union or to exclude, through
their actions in Congress or otherwise, any Stat,
or States from The Union. The union Of thest
States is perpetual.
Sixth--Amendment to the Constitution Of thu
United States may be made by the people thereof
as they may deem expedient, but only in the mode
pointed OF by its resolution, and, proposing sucl
amendments, whether by Congress or by a con
venion and in ratfying the same, all the States o.
the Union have an equal and indisputable right tc
voice aud vote therein.
Seventh--Savery is abolished and forever prohb.
tied, and there is neither desire nor purpose or
the part of the Southern States that il should ever
be e-estab>hed upon the soil or within the Juris.
| dicton of the United States, and the enfranchised
common with all their inhabitants, equal protec.
tion in every right Of person and property.
Eighth While We rsgard 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 O:
the Nation to be sacred and nviolate, and we
proclaim our purpose in discharging this as in
performing all the national obligations to maintain
unimpaired and uninpeached the honor and faith
of the republic.
Ninth-It is the duty of the National Govern.
ment to recognize the services of the Federal SOL
diers and sailors in the contest Just closed by meet
ing promptly and fully all their just and rightfu
claims for the services they rendered the ma lion
and by extending to those Of them who survived
and to the widows and orphans of those who
have fallen, the most generous and considerate care
Tenth-ln Andrew johnson, President of the
United States, who in his great office has proved
steadfast IN his devotion TO the Constitution, the
laws and the interest Of this country, unmoved by
persecution and undeserved reproach, having faith
unmeasurable in the people and The principles ol
the Government, we recognize Chief Magistrate
worthy OF the nation and the great crisis upon
which his lot is cast, and we tender 10 him in the
discharge of his high and responsible duties our
profound respect, and assurance Of our cordia
support.
After the vote had been taken on the adoption
OF the foregoing "Decaration Of Principles" i
was found that the reading of the seventh on,
) had been omitted by accident, and this fact wa
announced by Senator Dnolittle. II was ther
read and adopted with great applause and unsn
nifty. The "Declaraiion Of Principles" was thel
adopted as whole with enthusiastic che ers.
After the adoption, three cheers were called fol
and given, in the most enthusiastic manner, for
Senator Cowan, Of Pennsylvania.
Senator Cowan acknow lodged the compliment
but said that as he considered himself the host o
the Convention one Of his distinguished guest
would address by virtue Of authority unanimous
: mn,