Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-09-17
noRpnn State CONVENTION.

,all oil tine CONVENTION, 10 auNdhce lhe ehue0 I
If manhood suffrage, and demand of Con-
rress the passage of the "Sumner- Wilson
oill,n in Convention without distinction
IN account of race or color. A temporary
organization was effected by calling Lewis
Thompson, of Delaware to the chair, and
he selection of James w. Clayton, of Mary
land, as Secretary.
The Committee on Resolutions was chosen
as follows:-Hon. j. A. j. Cresswell, OF
Maryland; Hon. r. r. Butler, of Tennessee;
Hon. r. Il. Van Horn, OF Missouri; j. j.
Delaware; r. Stockett Matthews, of Mary
land; David Goshorn, of West Virginia; W
II. g. Browne, of Maryland, and Anthony
Higgins, of Delaware.
The following were chosen as permanent
officers of the Convention:
President-Hon. Horace Maynard.
Vice Presidents-Hon. II. T. Van Horn, of |
Missouri; Cold. II. Clendenning, of Missouri; |
Hon. r. X. Butler, of Tennessee; Rev. |
Daniel Watkins, of Tennessee; Hon. J. A. |
j. Cresswell, of Maryland; George A. Cook, |
of Maryland; Hanson Robinson, of Della
ware; Robert ii. Cummins, of Delaware;
Samuel Segars, of Virginia; David GoshOrn,
of West Virginia; Mr.. Gallagher, of West
Virginia; j. johnson, of District of C0lum-
bia; A. p. Clarke, of District of Columbia.
Speeches were made by the Hon. Horace
Maynard, Mr.. Cresswell, and sthers, white
and colored. Letters were read from distin-
guished politicians, among them one from
Senator Sumner, in which, after stating his
inability 10 be present, he says;
"Congress will leave undone what il ought
to do if it fails to provide promptly for the
establishment of equal rights, whether politi-
cal or civil, everywhere throughout the
Union. This is a solemn duty, which can
not be shrked or postponed. The idea is
intolerable, that any State, under any pre-
tence of State rights, can set up political
oligarchy within its borders, and then call
itself Republican Government. / insist
with all my soul that such a Government
must be rejected as inconsistent with the re-
quirements OF the Declaration OF lndepen-
dence."
Hon. J. A. j. Cresswell, of Maryland,
Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions,
| submitted the unanimous report of that body,
which was read as follows:
The Border States OF the American Union,
in Convention assembled, by delegates re-
presenting great majority OF their citizens,
address themselves TO their sister States and
to the national Congress, respectfully but
earnestly representing;
That though they have been faithful to
the unity of the Republic, contributing their
blood and treasure TO cement its bonds, most
of them are now beneath the heel of the same
spirit of oppression which attempted, by
armed rebellion, TO destroy the Union;
That this unhappy condition is alone due
to the fact that q large number OF the citi.
zens OF those States, guilty of no crime, but
distinguished for their faithful devotion to
the country, are, by local laws, imposed
upon them without their consent, deprived
of their right to vote, deprivation which
places those States under the control of o
| liRlOVal minority OF their citizens.
=. And this Convention does therefore re
solve:
1. That II is the duty of Congress, under
the National Constitution, TO protect the
equal voting rights of all loyal American
citizens, regardless of their complexion, fol
the reason that TO admit the right of STATE
to limit the franchise to one class admits iii
: right to limit it to any extent-an abuse elfec
tually guarded against by tho Constitution
in requiring that "the United States shal
guarantee to every State IN the Union a re
publican form of government"
g. That with this duty placed upon it BY
T the fundamental law of the Republic, tin
! Congress that has prescribed code of equa
rights for nine States, lately in rebellion
; cannot in reason or in justice withhold it
patient audience nor its swift and fhorougl
relief from States, Il majority of whose peo
= pie have always faithfully adhered to tn
u Republic.
!, 8. That this action of Congress, demand
u ed by Constitutional authority, would be no
u only an act of Justice to individuals, and
\ measure of protection to the Border States
% but new bond Of unity to the Republic, i
e reasserting the rights OF man as proclaime
u by the Declaration of Independence.
!, 4. That we respectfully urge Congress I
y act bravely and thoroughly in the adoptio
q of whatever measures they may determin
= TO be requisite for the establishment of peac
y and prosperity throughout the whole and
~ and we expect them to TepOse full faith |
= the courage, loyalty and intelligence OF tn
=. masses of the people, who regard no perl
:. - as more to be spurned than timidlty and il
g difference in their representatives, and VIII
!, will always sustain Congress in their effort
u u to establish by law the most thorough dt
.. velopment of true republican institutions.
!. ., 6. That while we affirm the constitutions
~ y, power and duty of Congress by statue
~ ~ secure TO the States a republican form of go'
~ ernment, yet we earnestly urge upon Coz
,e gress TO present to the States for their adol
= ton an amendment that no State shall di
'' franchise any citizen because of race or colo
10 and thus put beyond the danger of politics
r. changes the fundamental rights of America
IN citizenship.
A 9. Tnat we approve heartily the measure
ne adopted by Congress for Teconstructing I'll
le rebel States, based upon the principle thI
IN loyal men shall rule, and that treason, ,whic
at failed in its armed attacks, ehall have L
y appeal to the ballot-box; and we honor Il
lie heroes Sheridan and Sickles, who, by the
~ faithful execution Of the laws in the spirit
w their enactment, have added civil renown
of the laurels won on the field, and whose fidel
y. ty alone caused their removal by Andre
e. Johnson.
al T. That the patriotic services of Hon. e.
e. win NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War, trustt
,r; by Abraham Lincoln and suspended fro
office by Andrew johnson, are grateful
mi appreciated by the loyal people OF the who
ia country, and that the Senate of the pnitt
nv States, in obedience to the popular will, ,shou
~ Mt the earliest opportunity, vindieate u
u the supremacy of the law by reinstating e
a., win M. Stanton as Secretary of War.
Of 8. That representation according to pop
IN lation in State Legislatures is the only tr
nd principle; and the special condition of Mar
nm land and Delaware, in which a minority
II the people have a majority vote IN the
IN General Assemblies, and in which the doI
,ck inant minority is seeking still further to j
il crease their power, demands the attenti,
M of Congress; and we request the Hon Fra
!, 4 ciB Thomas, of Maryland, TO urge on t
Judiciary Committee of the House of Repi
sentatives prompt action on the resolution
ng inquiry which he has had referred to til
Ill committee.
for 0. That it is the duty of the House of i
de. representatives., as the paramount necessity
md it's approaching session, to present artic
Re- of impeachment to the Senate for the trial
ing Andrew johnson for high crimes and m
i've demeanors against the Constitution and /
mi laws passed ia pursuance thereof; for usl
the patton of powers delegated to the legislan
Q. department of the Government; for obstru
in ing, hindering and delaying the reconstrl
eld ton of the St4tes lately in rebellion; for I
be removal of faithful officers in violati
len of law; the indecency and indecOrum OF