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this nation-the asylum of the oppressed of all | American citizens in States where civil law ex nations 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.

Democratic National Platform, August, 1864. Resolved, That in the future, as in the past, we will adhere with unswerving fidelity to the Union under the Constitution as the only solid foundation of our strength, security and happiness as a people, and as a framework of government equally conducive to the welfare and prosperity of all the States, both northern and 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

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 test oaths, and the interference with and denial of the right of the people to bear arms in their de fence, 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.

Call for a National Union Convention, 1866. A National Union Convention, of at least tw delegates from each congressional district of all the States, two from each Territory, two from the District of Columbia, and four delegates at larga from each State, will be held at the city of Phila delphia, on the second Tuesday (14th) of August next.

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 proposi tions, viz:

The Union of the States is, in every case, indissoluble, and is perpetual; and the Constitu tion of the United States, and the laws passed by Congress in pursuance thereof, supreme, and constant, 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

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

Dangers threaten. The Constitution-the citadel of our liberties-is directly assailed. 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

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 Con- tain unimpaired the rights, the dignity, and the stitution the sole judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its members; but the exclu equality of the States, including the right of sion of loyal Senators and Representatives, prop-right of each State to control its own domestic representation in Congress, and the exclusive erly 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;

As essential to National Union we must main

concerns, subject only to the Constitution of the United States.

After a uniform construction of the Constitu

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

A free interchange of opinion and kind feeling between the citizens of all the States is necessary to the perpetuity of the Union. At present eleven States are excluded from the national council. For seven long months the present Congress has persistently denied any right of Laws, affecting their highest and dearest interrepresentation to the people of these States.

The purpose of the war having been to preserve the Union and the Constitution by putting down the rebellion, and the rebellion having been suppressed, all resistance to the authority 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 administration, so that union, har-ests, have been passed without their consent, mony, and concord may be encouraged, and industry, commerce, and the arts of peace revived and promoted; and the early restoration of all the States to the exercise of their constitutional powers in the national Government is indispensably necessary to the strength and the defence of the Republic, and to the maintenance 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.

J. R. DOOLITTLE,
O. H. BROWNING,
EDGAR COWAN,
CHARLES KNAP,
SAMUEL FOWLER,
Executive Committee National Union Club.
We recommend the holding of the above con-
vention, and endorse the call therefor.
DANIEL S. NORTON,
J. W. NESMITH,

JAMES DIXON,
T. A. HENDRICKS,

and in disregard of the fundamental principle of has been made to all the members from a State, free government. This denial of representation although the State, in the language of the Presi dent, presents itself, not only in an attitude of loyalty and harmony, but in the persons of representatives whose loyalty cannot be questioned under any existing constitutional or legal test."

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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 principles 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 Unispirit 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

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The Elections of 1866.

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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 resist ance on the part of the Army of Northern Vir ginia, 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 Govern.

NEW HAMPSHIRE-Smyth, Union, 35,018; Sin- ment of the United States, until properly exclair, Democrat, 30,176.

CONNECTICUT-Hawley, Union,

43,974; Eng

lish, 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:

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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 majority in its favor is 6,922.

changed. 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 surren der 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 Confed constitution, 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.

Correspondence between General Grant and General Lee.

APRIL 7, 1865. Gen. R. E. LEE, Commanding C. S. A.: GENERAL: The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of

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 peace

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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.

2. The Confederate armies now in existence to

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 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.:

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In accordance with the substance of my letter to 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 each 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.

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

tribution of arms, and the resumption of peace-
able pursuits by the officers and men hitherto
composing such armies. Not being fully em-
powered by our respective principals to fulfil
these terms, we individually and officially pledge
ourselves to promptly obtain an answer thereto,
and to carry out the above programme.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Maj. Gen., Commanding Army U. S. in N. C.
J. E. JOHNSTON,

General,. Commanding C. S. A. in N. C.

It is reported that this proceeding of Gener Sherman was disapproved for the following among other, reasons:

1. It was an exercise of authority not vestes in General Sherman, and on its face shows tha both he and Johnston knew that General Sher man had no authority to enter into any such arrangement.

2. It was a practical acknowledgment of the rebel government.

3. It undertook to re-establish the rebel State governments that had been overthrown at the The following official dispatch to the Asso- sacrifice of many thousand loyal lives and im ciated Press gives the particulars of its disap- mense treasure, and placed the arms and muni proval, and the supposed reasons therefor: tions of war in the hands of the rebels at their WASHINGTON, April 22.-Yesterday evening a respective capitals, which might be used as soon bearer of despatches arrived from General Sher- as the armies of the United States were dis An agreement for a suspension of hos-banded, and used to conquer and subdue the tilities, and a memorandum of what is called a loyal States. basis for peace, had been entered into on the 18th inst., by General Sherman with the rebel General Johnston, the rebel General Breckinridge being present at the conference.

man.

A Cabinet meeting was held at 8 o'clock in the evening, at which the action of General Sherman was disapproved by the President, the Secretary of War, by General Grant, and by every member of the Cabinet.

General Sherman was ordered to resume hostilities immediately, and he was directed that the instructions given by the late President, in the following telegram, which was penned by Mr. Lincoln himself, at the Capitol, on the night of the 3d of March, were approved by President Andrew Johnson, and were reiterated to govern the action of military commanders.

On the night of the 3d of March, while President Lincoln and his Cabinet were at the Capitol, a telegram from General Grant was brought to the Secretary of War, informing him that General Lee had requested an interview or conference to make an arrangement for terms of peace. The letter of General Lee was published in a message of Davis to the rebel Congress.

4. By the restoration of rebel authority in their respective States they would be enabled to re-establish slavery.

5. It might furnish a ground of responsibility by the Federal Government to pay the rebel debt, and certainly subjects the loyal citizens of rebel States to debt contracted by rebels in the

State.

6. It would put in dispute the existence of loyal State governments, and the new State of West Virginia, which had been recognized by every department of the United States Govern

ment.

7. It practically abolished the confiscation laws, and relieved the rebels, of every degree, and penalties for their crimes. who had slaughtered our people, from all pains

8. It gave terms that had been deliberately, Lincoln, and better terms than the rebels had repeatedly, and solemnly rejected by President ever asked in their most prosperous condition.

9. It formed no basis of true and lasting peace, but relieved the rebels from the pressure of our victories, and left them in condition to

renew their efforts to overthrow the United States Government and subdue the loyal States whenever their strength was recruited and any opportunity should offer.

General Grant's Orders.

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

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, January 12, 1866.

SUITS AND PENALTIES IN LATE REBELLIOUS
STATES.

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.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. After the Cabinet meeting last night, General Grant started for North Carolina to direct operations against Johnston's army.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

Military division and department commanders, whose commands embrace or are composed of any of the late rebellious States, and who have not already done so, will at once issue and enforce orders protecting from prosecution or suits in the State, or municipal courts of such State, all officers and soldiers of the armies of the United States, and all persons thereto attached, or in any wise thereto belonging, subject to military authority, charged with offences for acts done in their military capacity, or pur suant to orders from proper military authority; and to protect from suit or prosecution all loyal citizens, or persons charged with offences done

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