Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-18

We present below 4 corrected copy Of the
Declaration of Principles" adopted by the
National Union Convention at Philadelphia
on Thursday last, by the people Of all the
States and Territories, North, South, East
and West, as represented by their chosen
delegates, and without a single dissenting
voice:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
The National Union Convention now as
sembled in the city of Philadelphia, COM
posed of delegates from every State and Ter
ritory in the Union, admonished by the sol
emn lessons which, for the last five years, it
has pleased the Supreme Ruler of the Uni
verse TO give to the American people; pro-
foundry gratilied for the return of peace; de-
sirous as a large majority of their country
men in all sincerity to forget and forgive the
past: reyering the Constitution as it comes to
Us from our ancestors; regarding the Union in
its restoration as more sacred than ever /;
looking with deep anxiety to the future as
of instant and continuing trial, hereby pro-
claims the following declaration of princi-
Piles and purposes, on which they have with
perfect uuanimity agreed.
lst We hail with gratitude to Almighty
God the end Of war and the return of peace
to an afflicted and beloved land.
ID. The war Just closed has maintained
the authority of the Constitution with all the
powers which it confers, and all the restric-
lions which il imposes on the General Gov
eminent unabridged and unaltered; and it
has preserved the Union with the lawful
rights dignity and authority Of the States
perfect and unimpaired.
Sd. Representation in Congress Of the
United States and in the Electoral College,
is a right recognized by the Constitution as
abiding in every State, and as a duty i'm
posed upon its people, fundamental in its ma
nrc and essential TO the exercise Of our Re
publican institution, and neither Congress,
northe General Government has any authori
tv or power 20 deny this right 10 any, or
withhold its enjoyment, under the Constitu-
ton, from the people thereof
4th. We call upon the people of the Uni
ted States to elect to Congress members who
admit the fundamental right Of representa-
ton. and who will receive 10 seats their
loval representatives from every State in
allegiance to the United States, subject to
the constitutional right Of each House 70
Judge Of election returns and qualifications
Of its own members.
9Th. The Constitution Of the United
States and the laws thereof are the supreme
law of the land, anything in the Constitu-
ton or laws Of any States to the contrary
notwithstanding. All the powers not confer
red bv the Constitution upon the General
Government nor prohibited to the States,
are reserved to the States or the people there
of; and among them the right to prescribe
right Congress cannot interfere with. No
State or combination Of States has the
right 20 withdraw from the Union, OF to ex-
clude through their action in Congress or
otherwise, any State or States from the
Union. The Union of the States is perpetual.
9th. Amendments 70 the Constitution
Of the United States may be made by the
people thereof. as they may deem expedienL
but only in the mode pointed out by it.
In proposing such amendments whether
by Congrers or by Convention, and in rati-
fying the same, all States Of the Union
have an equal and indisputable right to
vote thereon.
eth. Slavery is abolished and forever pro-
hihited and there is neither desire nor
purpose on the part Of the Southern
States that it should ever be re-establiShed
upon the soil or within the jurisdiction Of
the United States
And the eniranchised slaves in all the
States Of the Union should receive, in
common with all the inhabitants, equal
protection in every right Of person and pro-
perry.
Sth. While We regard as utterly invalid,
and never 20 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 inyiolable, and we proclaim our pur-
pose in discharging this, as in performing
al other national obligations, to maintain