Year: 1866

The National Union Convention, now as.
sembled in the City of Philadelphia, composed
of delegates from every State and Territory
in the Union, admonished by the solemn es-
sons which, for the last five years, it has
pleased the Supreme Ruler of~the Universe
to give the American people, profoundly
grateful for the return of peace, desirous as
are large majority of their countrymen in
all sincerity to forget and forgive the past,
revering the Constitution as it comes to us
from our ancestors, regarding the Union in its
restoration as more sacred than ever, looking
with deep anxiety into the future as of in
slant and continuing trial, hereby issues siad
proclaims the following declaration of priuci.
Piles and purposes, on which they have With
perfect unanimity agreed:


First. We hail with gratitude to Almighty
God the end of war and the return of peace
TO an afflicted and beloved land.


Second. The war Just closed has maintained
the authority of the Constitution, with all
the powers which it confers, and all the re-
strictions which it imposes upon the Genera!
Government, unabridged and unaltered, and
it has preserved the Union, with the equal
rights, dignity and authority of the States
perfect and unimpaired.


Third. Representation in the Congress of
the United States and in the Electoral Col
lege is a right recognized by the Constitution
as abiding in every State, and as duty ip-
posed upon its people-fundamental in its
nature and essential to tho existence of our
republican institutions and neither Congress
nor the General Government has any authori-
ty or power to deny this right to any State, or
to withhold its enjoyment under the Consti-
tuition from the people thereof.


Fourth. We call upon the people of the
United States to elect to Congress, as mem
bers thereof, none but men who admit this
right of representation, and who
will receive to seats therein loyal representa-
tives from every State in allegiance to the
United States, subject to the constitutional
right of each House to judge'of the election
returns and qualifications ofits own members.


Fifth. The Constitution of the. United
States, and the laws made in pursuance there
of, are "the supreme laws of the land, any
thing in the Constitution or laws of any
State to the contrary Notwithstanding" All
the powers not conferred by the Constitution
upoLfhe General Government, NOR -prohibi
led by it to the States, are reserved to the
States or to: the people thereof; y and among
thorights thus Feseryed the States IS The.
right to.prescribe qualification for the elective,
franchise therein, with which right Congress
cannot interfere. No State or combination
of States has the right to withdraw from the
Union, or to exclude, through their action in
Congress- or,otherwise, any other State or
States from the Union. The Union of these
States is perpetual.


Sixth. Such amendments to the Constitu-
ton of the United States may be made by
the people thereof as they may deem expedl'
ent, but only in the mode pointed out by its
provisions, and in proposing such amend
ments, whether by Congress or by Conven-
ton, and ratifying the same, all the States OF
the Union have en- equal and an indefeasible
right to voice and vote therein.


Seventh. Slavery is abolished and forever
prohibited, and there is neither desire nor
purpose on the part OF the Southern States
that it should ever be re-established upon
the soil or within the jurisdiction Of the
United States, and the enfranchised slaves in
all the States of the Union should receive in
common with all their inhabitants equal pro-
tection in every right Of person and properly.


Eighth. While we regard as utterly invalid
and never to be assumed or made of binding
force any obligation incurred or undertaken
in making war against the United States, we
hold the debt of the nation to be sacred and
inviolable; and we proclaim our purpose, in
dissharging this, as in performing all other
national obligations, to maintain unimpaired
and unimpeached the honor and the faita OF
the Republic.


Ninth. 1t is the duty of the National Gov
ernmeut to recognize the services of the Fed
eral soldiers and sailors in the contest inst
closed, By meeting promptly and fully their
inst and rightfnl claims for the services they
have rendered the nation, and by extending
to those of them who have survived, and to
the widows and orphans of those who lave
fallen. the most generous and considerate care.


Tenth, In Andrew johnson, President OF
the United States, who, in his great office,
has proved steadfast in his devotion to the
Constitution, the laws and interests Of his
country, unmoyed by persecution and unde-
served reproach--haying faith pnassailable in
the people and in the principle Of free gov
ernment-we recognize Chief Magistrate
worthy of the nation and equal to the great
crisis upon which bis lot is cast, and we ten,
der to him. in the discharge Of his high and
responsible duties, .onr profound respect and
assurance of our cordial and sincere support


When the Secretary read that section de-
claring that the war left all the rights OF the
States perfect and unimpaired," the esentire
Convention rose to its feet and spent some
time in cheering the sentiment. The allusion
10 President johnson was also received with
loud and long continued applause.
: The vote was tte1 taken on the adoption
of the resolutions as read, and they were
unanimously adopted.


THE. ADDRESS.


The Hon. Henry j. Raymond, ofeAew
York, was then announced to the Convention
by the President, and was received With loud
+ cheering. Silence having been restored, MIR
nd proceeded toread the address which