North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-08-22

1hof6 IS LO TlnnL, anywhere, to uissol't
| the Union, or to separate States from the
Union, either by voluntary withdrawal, by
force of arms, or by Congressional action,
neither by the secession ofthe States, nor
by the exclusion of their loyal and quail
| fed representatives, nor by the national
government in any other FORM ..,. ...
Slavery is abolished, and neither can
nor ought to be re established in any State
or Territory within our jurisdiction.
Each State has the undouhted right to
prescribe the qualifications of its own
electors, and no external power rightfully
can, or ought to, dictate, control, or int1u-
ence the free and voluntary action of the
States in the exercise of that right ....
The maintenance invirlate OF the rights
of the States, and especially of the right of
each State to order and control its own
domestic concerns, according to its own
Judgment exclusively, subject only to the
Constitution of the United State, is essen-
tial to that balance of power on which the
perfection and endurance of our political
fabric depend, and the overthrow of that
system by the usurpation and centraliza-
tion Of power in Congress would be a revo-
luton, dangerous to republican govern
ment and destructive of liberty.
Each House of Congress is made, by the
Constitution, the sole judge of the cleo
tioEs, returns, and qualifications of its
members; but the exclusion of loyal S.n-
ators and Representatives, properly chosen
and qualified, under the Constitution ana
laws, is unjust and revolutionary.
Every patriot should frown upon all
those acts and proceedings, everywhere,
which serve no other purpose than to re-
kindle the animosities Of war, and the eff
feet of which upon our moral social, and
maternal interests at home, and upon our
standing abroad differing only in degree,
is injurious like war itself.
The purpose OF the war having been to
preserve the Uuon and lhe Constitution
by putting down the rebellion, and the
rebellion having been suppressed, all re-
sistance to the authority of the general
government being at an end, and the wal
having ceased, war measures should also
cease, and ST ould be followed by measure,
of peaceful administration, so that union
harmony, and concord may be encouraged
and industry, commerce, and the arts oi
peace revived and promoted; and the ear
iy restoration of all the States to the exer-
else of their constitutional powers IN the
national government is indispensably ne
cessary to the strength and the defense OF
the republic, and to the maintenance of tn,
public credit.
All such electors in the thirty-six State;
and nine Territories of the United States
and in the District Of Columbia, who, in :
spirit of patriotism and love for the Unor
ran rise above personal and sectional con
sidera,ions, and WHO desire t, sae a truly
National Convention, which shall represent
all the States and Territories of the Union
assemble as friends and brothers. under the
national flag, to hold counsel ;oge ther upor
the state of the Union, and to take meas
ures 10 avert possible danger from the same
are specially requested to take part il
the choice of such delegates.
But no delegate will take a seat in sncF
Convention who does not Loyalty accept
the national situation and cordially endorse
the principles above set forth, and who i:
not attached in trne allegiance to the Con
stitution, the Union, and the government
OF the United States.
Il