The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-09-21
The Resolutions

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 attempt
ed, by armed rebellion, to destroy the Union !;
That this unhappy condition is alone due
to that fact that II large number of the citi.
Zcns 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, a deprivation which
places those States under the control of a
disloyal minority Of their citizens;
And this Convention does therefore resolve:
l. That it is the duty of Congress, under
the National Constitution, to protect .hc
equal voting rights Of all loyal American
citizens, regardless Of their complexion, for
the reason that to admit the right of State
to limit the franchise to one class admits its
right to limit it to any extent-an abuse eff
trctually guarded against by the Constitu-
ton in requiring that ''the United States
shall guarantee to every State in the Union
y republican form of government"
2 That with this duty placed upon it by
the fundamental law Of the Republic, the
Congress that has prescribed code Of equal
rights for nine States, lately in rebellion,
cannot, in reason or in justice, withhold its
patient audience nor its swift and thorough
relief from States, a majority of whose peo-
Pile have always faithfully adhered to the
Republic.
$ That this action Of Congress, demanded
by constitutional authority, would be not
only an act of justice to individuals, ard a
measure Of protection in the Border States,
but q new bond Of unity to the Republic, in
reassering the rights of man, as proclaimed
by the Declaration of Independence.
That we respectfully urge Congress to
act bravely and thoroughly in the adoption
of whatever measures they may determine to
be requisite for the establishment of peace
and prosperity throughout the whole land;
and we expect them to repose full faith III
the courage, loyalty and intelligence of the
masses of the people, who regard no perils
as more to be stunned than timidity and
Indifference in their representatives, and
who will always sustain Congress in their
efforts TO establish by law the most thorough
development of true republican institutions
s That while we affirm the constitutional
power and duty of Congress by statute to
yuvarumrnt, yet we earnestly urge upon
Congress to present to the States for their
adoption an amendment to the Constitution
OF the United States providing that no State
shall disiranchiSe any citizen because of
race or color, and thus put beyond the dan.
ger Of political changes the fundamental
Fights Of American citizenship.
6 That we approve heartily the measures
adopted by Congress for reconstructing the
Rebel States, based upon the principle that
ioyal men shall rule, and that treason, which
failed in its armed attacks, shall have no
apppal to the ballot box and we honor the
heroes Sheridan and Sickles who, by their
faithful execution of the laws in the spirit
of their enactment. have added civil renown
to the aurels won on the field, and whose
fidelity alone caused their removal by An
drew johnson.
Z That the patriotic services of Hon.
Edwin NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War, trust
cd by Abraham Lincoln and suspended from
office by Andrew johnson, are gratefully
appreciated by the loyal people ofthe whole
country, and that the Senate of the United
sStates, in obedience To the popular will,
should, at the earliest opportunity, vindcate
the supremacy of the law by reinstating
Edwin NJ. Stanton as Secretary of War.
That the military services of General
u. S. Grant, his lmracteristic prudence and
firmness, his devotion to popular liberty,
and the love for his country which has illus
t1ated his eminent career, while they entitle
him to the gratitude Of the people for what
he has done in the past, and their confidence
in what his noble nature must inspire him
to do in the future, also entitle the people
to confidently look to him in his two-fold
capacity of General of the Army and Secre
1ary Of War to enact all the power and au-
thority conferred upon him by the laws of
lln land to promote the fullest and most
efficient execution of the acts of. Congress
lnow4i as the Reconstruction acts.
That representation according to popu.
lation in State Legislatures is the only true
principle, and the special condition of Mary
land and Delaware, in which a minority of
y the people have a majority vote in their
General Assemblies, and in which the dom
inant minority is seeking still further TO in.
crease their power, demands the attention
OF Congress; and we request the Hon. Fran
els Thomas, Of Maryland, to urge on the
Judiciary Committee Of the House Of Repre-.
scntativcs prompt action on the resolution
of inquiry which he has had referred to that
committee.
10 That it is the duty of the House of Re
preventative, rs the paramount necessity
of its approaching session, to present arti-
Giles of impeachment to the Senate for the
trial of Andrew johnson for high crimes
and misdemeanors against the Constitution
and the laws passed in pursuance thereof;
for usurpaton of powers delegated to the
Legislative Department of the Government;
for obstruction, hindering and delaying the
reconstruction of the States lately in rebel
lion: for the removal of faithful officers in
violation Of law; the indecency and indigo
rum Of his public administration, the per-
verse obstinaey by which be intensifes the
dsoyalty of unrepentant Rebels, and his
persistent opposition to the will OF the loyal
people of the nation.
II That 9 copy OF these resolutions be
forwarded to the Hon. Francis Thouas, Re-
preventative of the Fourth Congressional
District of Maryland, with request that he
will lay the same before the House of Repre-
sentatives and also that q copy be forward
ed to Hon Joseph l.. Fowler, Senator from
Tennessee, with request that he will lay
the same before the United States Senate.
Each resolution was heartily appauded
rs it was read, those relating to Stanton,
Grant, Siekles and Sheridan, and the i'm.
parchment of Andrew johnson, being greet
ed with round after ronnd of cheers, the
whole vast assembiage rising and giving vent
80 its feelings in applause that completely
drowned every sound and shook the build
ing. Every one seemed to take an increas.
ing delight in testhying their appreciation
Of the man who would not take anything but