Year: 1866

the call for a National Convention to
meet in Philadelphia, contains the fol-
lowing demand for State Rights


The rights, the dignity, and the equal
ity of the States in the Union, including
the right of representation in Congress,
are solemnly guaranteed by that Constr
tutiou. TO save which from overthrow so
much blood and treasure were expended
in the late civil war There is no right
anywhere to dissolve the Union or to
separate States from the Union, either
BY voluntary withdrawal, by force OF
arms, or by Congressional action, neither
oy secession of States, nor by the exclu-
sion of their loyal and qualified repre-
sentatives nor ty the National Govern
men t in any other form.


Slavery. is abolished, and neither can
nor ought to be re-establisbed in any
State or Territory within our Jurisdic-
ton.


Each State has the undoubted right to
prescribe the qualifications Of its own
electors. and no external power right
fully can or ought to dictate, control or
influence the free and voluntary action
of these States in the exercise OF that
righ I 80,
The maintenance inviolate of the
rights of the States, and especially oi
the rights of each State to order and
control its own domestic concerns ac'
cording to its own judgment exclusively
subject only to the Constitution OF the
United States, is essential to that bal
ance of power on which the perfection
and endurance Of our political fabric
depends, and the overthrow of that sys,
TEN By usurpation in Capitalization OF
power in Congress would be revolu-
ton, dangerous to a republican govern
ment and destructive of liberty. Each
House of Congress is made, by the
Constitution, the sole judge Of its cleo
ton returns and qualifications OF Its
members, butthe exclusion of loyal Sem
ators and Representatives properly cho-
sen and qualified under the Constitution
and laws, is unjust and revolutionary.
Every patriot should frown upon all
these acts and proceedings everywhere,
which can serve no other purpose than
20 rekindle the animosities OF war,
and the effect Of which upon
our moral, social, and material interests
at home, and upon our standing abroad,
differing only in a degree, is injurious
like war itself The purpose of the war
having been to preserve the Union and
the Constitution by putting down the re-
bellion, and the rebellion having been
suppressed, all resistance TO the author
ity Of the general government being at
an end, and the war having ceased, war
measures should also cease, and should
be followed by measures Of peaceful ad.
ministration, so that union, harmony and
concord may be encouraged, and indus
try, commerce, and the arts of peace re-
yived and promoted; and the early res
toration of all the States 10 the exercise
of their constitutional powers in the
national Government is indispensably
necessary to the strength and the
defense Of the republic, and TO the
maintenance of the public credit All
such electors in the thlrty-six states
and nine territories OF the United
States. and in the District OF Columbia,
who, in a spirit of patriotism and love
for the Union, can rise above personal
and sectional considerations, and who
desire to see a truly National Union
Convention, which shall represent all
the States and Territories Of the Inion,
assemble as friends aud brothers under
the national flag, to hold counsel to,
gether upon the state of the Union and
10 take measures to avert possible dan
gers from the same, are specially re,
duested to take part in the choice o;
such delegates. But no delegate will
lake a seat in such convention who does
not Loyalty accept the national situation
and cordially indorse the principle above
SET forth, or who is not attached in true
allegiance 70 the Constitution, the Union,
and The Government Of the United States