Year: 1867




Michigan met in Detroit on the 18th
inst. The Convention was largely at
tended, and the proceedings were char
acterized by a spirit which argues we'll
for the future progress of Democratic
principles in that State. The follow
ing are the leading resolutions adopt
ed:


Resolred, That the late Congressional
action in seeking to impose military
despotism over ten of the United States,
and for this purpose wiping out the
State boundaries and dividing that por-
ton of the country into five military dis
tricts, to be held as such until the dog
mas and doctrines of the radical party
are accepted by the Southern people as
law, is an outrage upon every State In
the Union, threatening their rights and
liberties, and usurping despotic power
most dangerous to the people through
vut tho country.


Resolred, That the enfranchisement of
negroes and the disfranchisement Of
whites, as portended by Congressional
action, is beyond and in excess of any
power granted to the Federal Govern
ment by the States, and the exercise of
this power is arbitrary and revolution
ary.


Resolred, That the only conditions of
restoration to their rights and priv
ileges of the lately rebellious States are
embraced in the Constitution OF the
United States, which necessarily in
wolves allegiance" and 'lOyalty," and
observance Of and obedience to its pro-
visions include all that is right to re-
quire from the people as citizens OF the
United States.


Resolred, That the tendency of the
present national legislation is to the
destruction of the institutions of our
country, and that, therefore, it behooves
the people of this State to be careful in
their selection of delegates to the State
Constitutional Convention, in order
that the Constitution may receive at
their hands such n careful revision as
will fit it for any emergency which
may arise.


In noticing the proceedings of this
Convention the Detroit Free Press re-
marks: at was the first Convention in
several years whose objects and pro-
ceedings were not marred by some sac
rifice of Democratic principles or feel
ing to supposed policy. 1t was purely
and essentially u Democratic Conven-
ton, and its resolutions as the platform
of the Democracy meet directly and
squarely the new live issues of the day
exactly as they should be met-by a
plain avowal of the Democratic. feeling
on the subject at ISSUE"


The Free Press then continues rs fol-
lows:


"The Constitution, the true and only
basis of reconstruction-conde
of the usurpation of COngress-the nom
ination of pure, honest and upright
men and the determination to make
the influence of the Democratic party
potential while it is in the minority,
and its principles the policy of the ma
tiOn when it again becomes dominant
combine to form platform on which
the party will continually gain acces-
sions, and of which it will always be
proud. The Convention was united,
harmonious and decided in its views Oh
national affairs, in stating the Consti-
tuition as the basis of reconstruction,
and it sustained the policy of any man
who was guided by it alone. 1t tersely
but perfectly defined the position of the
party as the Constitutional party of the
country. 1t finds prescribed in the.
Constitution all of the allegiance and
loyalty due to the Federal Government,
ali of the powers granted by the States
to that Government. 1t makes no fac
tious opposition to amendments TO that
instrument proposed and ratified in the
proper and prescribed manner. 1t will
pay the same respect and obedience to
it when legally amended as it does now;
but it recognizes no authority not speci-
fed in it, and condemns. unqualihedly
every action or attempt to subvert it
openly or insidiously. This position 10
the only safe, practicable or permissible
position to take, and it is fairly and
honorably assumed by the Democracy
of Michigan. Under it we may conf
dentially await the issue of events,
with the certainty of our justification
in the not distant future"


The Democratic party of Michigan
have thus put themselves before the
people of that State as champions Of the
Constitution and the continuation of a
Republican form of Government in the
United States, and upon these issues
will go into the contest.