this nation-the asylum of the oppressed of all | American citizens in States where civil law exnations-should be fostered and encouraged by a liberal and just policy.

Resolved, That we are in favor of the speedy construction of the Railroad to the Pacific coast. Resolved, That the National faith, pledged for the redemption of the public debt, must be kept inviolate, and that for this purpose we recommend economy and rigid responsibility in the public expenditures, and a vigorous and just system of taxation; and that it is the duty of every loyal State to sustain the credit and promote the use of the National currency.

Resolved, That we approve the position taken by the Government that the people of the United States can never regard with indifference the attempt of any European Power to overthrow by force or to supplant by fraud the institutions of any Republican Government on the Western Continent; and that they will view with extreme jealousy, as menacing to the peace and independence of their own country, the efforts of any such power to obtain new footholds for Monarchical Governments, sustained by foreign military force, in near proximity to the United States.

ists in full force; the suppression of freedom of speech and of the press; the denial of the right of asylum; the open and avowed disregard of State rights; the employment of unusual testoaths, and the interference with and denial of the right of the people to bear arms in their defence, is calculated to prevent a restoration of the Union and the perpetuation of a government deriving its just powers from the consent of the governed.

Resolved, That the shameful disregard of the Administration to its duty in respect to our fellow-citizens who now are, and long have been, prisoners of war in a suffering condition, deserves the severest reprobation, on the score alike of public policy and common humanity.

Resolved, That the sympathy of the Democratic party is heartily and earnestly extended to the soldiery of our army and sailors of our navy, who are, and have been in the field and on the sea, under the flag of their country; and, in the event of its attaining power, they will receive all the care, protection, and regard that the brave soldiers and sailors of the Republic have so nobly earned.

Democratic National Platform, August, 1864. Call for a National Union Convention, 1866. Resolved, That in the future, as in the past, A National Union Convention, of at least two we will adhere with unswerving fidelity to the delegates from each congressional district of all Union under the Constitution as the only solid the States, two from each Territory, two from the foundation of our strength, security and happi- District of Columbia, and four delegates at large ness as a people, and as a framework of govern- from each State, will be held at the city of Philament equally conducive to the welfare and pros-delphia, on the second Tuesday (14th) of August perity of all the States, both northern and next. southern.

Resolved, That this convention does explicitly declare, as the sense of the American people, that after four years of failure to restore the Union by the experiment of war, during which, under the pretence of a military necessity, or war power higher than the Contitution, the Constitution itself has been disregarded in every part, and public liberty and private right alike trodden down and the material prosperity of the country essentially impaired-justice, humanity, liberty and the public welfare demand that immediate efforts be made for a cessation of hostilities, with a view to an ultimate convention of the States, or other peaceable means, to the end that at the earliest practicable moment peace may be restored on the basis of the Federal Union of the States.

Resolved, That the direct interference of the military authorities of the United States in the recent elections held in Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and Delaware, was a shameful violation of the Constitution; and a repetition of such acts in the approaching election will be held as revolutionary, and resisted with all the means and power under our control.

Resolved, That the aim and object of the Democratic party is to preserve the Federal Union and the rights of the States unimpaired; and they hereby declare that they consider that the administrative usurpation of extraordinary and dangerous powers not granted by the constitution; the subversion of the civil by military law in States not in insurrection; the arbitrary military arrest, imprisonment, trial and sentence of

Such delegates will be chosen by the electors of the several States who sustain the Administration in maintaining unbroken the Union of the States under the Constitution which our fathers established, and who agree in the following propositions, viz:

The Union of the States is, in every case, indissoluble, and is perpetual; and the Constitution of the United States, and the laws passed by Congress in pursuance thereof, supreme, and con stant, and universal in their obligation;

The rights, the dignity, and the equality of the States in the Union, including the right of rep resentation in Congress, are solemnly guaranteed by that Constitution, 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 by the secession of the States, nor by the exclusion of their loyal and qualified representatives, nor by the National Government in any other form;

Slavery is abolished, and neither can, nor ought to be, re-established in any State or Territory within our jurisdiction;

Each State has the undoubted right to prescribe the qualifications of its own electors, and no external power rightfully can, or ought to, dictate, control, or influence the free and voluntary action of the States in the exercise of that right;

The maintenence inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially of the right of each State

to order and control its own domestic concerns, according to its own judgment exclusively, subject only to the Constitution of the United States, is essential to that balance of power on which the perfection and endurance of our political fabric depend, and the overthrow of that system by the usurpation and centralization of power in Congress would be a revolution, dangerous to republican government and destructive of liberty; Each House of Congress is made by the Constitution the sole judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members; but the exclu sion of loyal Senators and Representatives, properly chosen and qualified under the Constitution and laws, is unjust and revolutionary;

Every patriot should frown upon all those acts and proceedings everywhere, which can serve no other purpose than to 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 degree, is injurious like war itself;

Address of Democratic Congressmen, 1866. To the People of the United States:

citadel of our liberties-is directly assailed. The Dangers threaten. The Constitution-the future is dark, unless the people will come to the

rescue.

be the watchword of every true man.
In this hour of peril National Union should

tain unimpaired the rights, the dignity, and the
As essential to National Union we must main-
equality of the States, including the right of
representation in Congress, and the exclusive
right of each State to control its own domestic
concerns, subject only to the Constitution of the
United States.

tion for more than half a century, the assumption of new and arbitrary powers in the Federal Government is subversive of our system and de structive of liberty.

After a uniform construction of the Constitu

A free interchange of opinion and kind feeling between the citizens of all the States is necessary The purpose of the war having been to pre- to the perpetuity of the Union. At present serve the Union and the Constitution by putting eleven States are excluded from the national down the rebellion, and the rebellion having council. For seven long months the present been suppressed, all resistance to the authority of the General Government being at an end, Congress has persistently denied any right of and the war having ceased, war measures should representation to the people of these States. also cease, and should be followed by measures Laws, affecting their highest and dearest interof peaceful administration, so that union, har-ests, have been passed without their consent, mony, and concord may be encouraged, and inand in disregard of the fundamental principle of free dustry, commerce, and the arts of peace revived has been made to all the members from a State, government. This denial of representation and promoted; and the early restoration of all although the State, in the language of the Presi the States to the exercise of their constitutional dent, presents itself, not only in an attitude of powers in the national Government is indis- loyalty and harmony, but in the pensably necessary to the strength and the depersons of repfence of the Republic, and to the maintenance under any existing constitutional or legal test." resentatives whose loyalty cannot be questioned of the public credit;

All such electors in the thirty-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 Union, assemble, as friends and brothers, under the national flag, to hold counsel together upon the state of the Union, and to take measures to avert possible danger from the same, are specially requested to take part in the choice of such delegates.

But no delegate will take a seat in such convention who does not loyally accept the national situation and cordially endorse the principles above set forth, and who is not attached, in true allegiance, to the Constitution, the Union, and the Government of the United States. WASHINGTON, June 25, 1866. A. W. RANDALL,

President.

States have not been consulted with reference to The representatives of nearly one-third of the the great questions of the day. There has been There has been no intercourse between the repreno nationality surrounding the present Congress. sentatives of the two sections, producing mutual confidence and respect. In the language of the distinguished lieutenant general,

cannot be a greater commingling between the "It is to be regretted that, at this time, there citizens of the two sections, and particularly of those intrusted with the law-making power." This state of things should be removed at once and forever.

vindicate the sufficiency of our admirable ConTherefore, to preserve the National Union, to stitution, to guard the States from covert attempts to deprive them of their true position in the Union, and to bring together those who are unnaturally severed, and for these great national purposes only, we cordially approve the call for a National Union Convention, to be held at the city of Philadelphia, on the second Tuesday (14th) of August next, and endorse the princi ples therein set forth.

We, therefore, respectfully, but earnestly, urge upon our fellow-citizens in each State and ted States, in the interest of Union and in a Territory and congressional district in the Uni spirit of harmony, and with direct reference to the principles contained in said call, to act promptly in the selection of wise, moderate, and conservative men to represent them in said Con

CONNECTICUT-Hawley, Union, 43,974; English, Democrat, 43,433.

RHODE ISLAND-Burnside, Union, 8,197; Pierce, Democrat, 2,816.

OREGON-Wood, Union, 327 majority.

At the special election in CONNECTICUT, in the fall of 1865, on suffrage, the vote stood:

For colored suffrage, 27,217; against, 33,489. majority against, 6,272.

In WEST VIRGINIA, a vote was taken in May, on ratifying this constitutional amendment:

No person who, since the 1st day of June, 1861, has given or shall give voluntary aid or assistance to the rebellion against the United States, shall be a citizen of this State, or be allowed to vote at any election held therein, unless he has volunteered into the military or naval service of the United States, and has been or shall be honorably discharged therefrom."

the Confederate States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Lieut. Gen., Commanding Armies of the United States APRIL 7, 1865. GENERAL: I have received your note of this date. Though not entirely of the opinion you express of the hopelessness of the further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid a useless effusion of blood, and therefore before considering your proposition I ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender.

R. E. LEE, General, To Lieut. Gen. GRANT, Commanding Armies of the United States.

APRIL 8, 1865. General R. E. LEE, Commanding C. S. A.:

GENERAL: Your note of last evening, in reply to mine of same date, asking conditions on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, is just received.

In reply I would say that peace being my first desire, there is but one condition I insist upon, viz: That the men surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms again against the Government of the United States, until properly exchanged. I will meet you, or designate officers to meet any officers you may name, for the same purpose, at any point agreeable to you, for the which the surrender of the Army of Northern purpose of arranging definitely the terms upon Virginia will be received.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT, Lieut. Gen.,
Commanding Armies of the United States.

APRIL 8, 1865. GENERAL: I received, at a late hour, your note of to-day, in answer to mine of yesterday. I did not intend to propose the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, but to ask the terms of your proposition. To be frank, I do not think the emergency has arisen to call for the surrender of this army; but as the restoration of peace should be the sole object of all, I desire to know whether your proposal would tend to that end. I cannot, therefore, meet you with a view to In the Territory of NEBRASKA, a vote was surrender the Army of Northern Virginia; but taken, with this result: For the proposed State as far as your proposition may affect the Confedconstitution, 3,938; against it, 3,838. Congress-erate States forces under my command, and tend Marquette, Union, 4,110; Brooke, Democrat, 3,974. Governor-Butler, Union, 4,093; Morton, Democrat, 3,948.

The majority in its favor is. 6,922.

to the restoration of peace, I should be pleased
to meet you at 10 A. M. to-morrow, on the old
stage road to Richmond, between the picket lines
of the two armies.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE, General, C. S. A.
To Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Commanding
Armies U. S. A.

APRIL 9.

General R. E. LEE, Commanding C. S. A.: GENERAL: Your note of yesterday is received. As I have no authority to treat on the subject of peace, the meeting proposed for 10 A. M. to-day could lead to no good. I will state, however, General, that I am equally anxious for peaco

with yourself, and the whole North entertain the same feeling.

The terms upon which peace can be had are well understood. By the South laying down their arms they will hasten that most desirable event, save thousands of human lives, and hundreds of millions of property not yet destroyed. Sincerely hoping that all our difficulties may be settled without the loss of another life, I subscribe myself, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT, Lieut. Gen. U. S. A.

APRIL 9, 1865.

HEADQ'RS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, April 9, 1865. Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Com'g U. S. Armies • GENERAL: I have received your letter of this date containing the terms of surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, as proposed by you." As they are substantially the same as those expressed in your letter of the 8th instant, they are accepted. I will proceed to designate the proper officer to carry the stipulations into

effect.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE, General. The other Rebel armies subsequently surren GENERAL: I received your note of this morn-dered on substantially the same terms. ing on the picket line, whither I had come to

Johnston.

meet you and ascertain definitely what terms Agreement between Generals Sherman and were embraced in your proposition of yesterday with reference to the surrender of this army. I now request an interview in accordance with the offer contained in your letter of yesterday for that purpose.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. LEE, General.
To Lieut. Gen. Grant, Com'g U. S. Armies.

APRIL 9.

Memorandum, or Basis of Agreement, made this 18th day of April, A. D. 1865, near Durham's Station, in the State of North Carolina, by and between General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding Confederate army, and Major General William T. Sherman, commanding Army of the United States, both being present: 1. The contending armies now in the field to maintain the status quo, until notice is given by the commanding general of any one to its opponent, and reasonable time, say forty-eight hours, allowed.

General R. E. LEE, Commanding C. S. A.: Your note of this date is but this moment (11.50 A. M.) received, in consequence of my 2. The Confederate armies now in existence to having passed from the Lynchburg road to the be disbanded and conducted to their several Farmville and Lynchburg road. I am at this State capitals, therein to deposit their arms and writing about four miles west of Walter's Church, public property in the State arsenal, and each and will push forward to the front for the pur-officer and man to execute and file an agreement pose of meeting you.

Notice sent to me on this road where you wish the interview to take place, will meet me. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT, Lieut. Gen.,
Commanding Armies of United States.

APPOMATTOX C. H., April 9, 1865. General R. E. LEE, Commanding C. S. A.:

In accordance with the substance of my letter you of the 8th instant, I propose to receive the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia on the following terms, to wit:

Rolls of all the officers and men to be made in duplicate, one copy to be given to an officer designated by me, the other to be retained by such officer or officers as you may designate. The officers to give their individual paroles not to take arms against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged, and company or regimental commander sign a like parole for the men of their commands. The arms, artillery, and public property to be parked and stacked, and turned over to the officers appointed by me to receive them. This will not embrace the side-arms of officers, nor their private horses or baggage.

each

This done, each officer and man will be allowed to return to their homes, not to be disturbed by United States authority so long as they observe their parole and the laws in force where they may reside. Very respectfully,

U. S. GRANT, Lieut. Gen.

to cease from acts of war, and to abide the action of both State and Federal authorities. The number of arms and munitions of war to be reported to the Chief of Ordnance at Washington city, subject to the future action of the Congress of the United States, and in the meantime to be used solely to maintain peace and order within the borders of the States respectively.

3. The recognition by the Executive of the United States of the several State governments, on their officers and legislatures taking the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States; and where conflicting State governments have resulted from the war, the legitimacy of all shall be submitted to the Supreme Court of the United States.

4. The re-establishment of the Federal Courts in the several States, with powers as defined by the Constitution and laws of Congress.

5. The people and inhabitants of all these States to be guaranteed, so far as the Executive can, their political rights and franchise, as well as their rights of person and property, as defined by the Constitution of the United States, and of the States respectively.

6. The Executive authority of the Government of the United States not to disturb any of the people by reason of the late war, so long as they live in peace and quiet, and abstain from acts of armed hostility, and obey the laws in existence at the place of their residence.

7. In general terms, the war to cease, a general amnesty, so far as the Executive of the United States can command, on the condition of the disbandment of the Confederate armies, dis

General Grant's telegram was submitted to Mr. Lincoln, who, after pondering a few minutes, took up his pen and wrote with his own hand the following reply, which he submitted to the Secretary of State and Secretary of War. It was then dated, addressed, and signed by the Secre- [General Orders, No. 3.] tary of War, and telegraphed to General Grant: WASHINGTON, March 3, 1866, 12 P. M.-Lieutenant General Grant: The President directs me

to say to you that he wishes you to have no TO PROTECT PERSONS AGAINST IMPROPER CIVIL conference with General Lee, unless it be for the capitulation of General Lee's army, or on some minor and purely military matter. He instructs me to say that you are not to decide, discuss, or confer upon any political question. Such questions the President holds in his own hands, and will submit them to no military conferences or conventions. Meantime, you are to press to the utmost your military advantages.