V^ .' 3^ ""''''. O. ^4 c> . -^, A^-";^ ^ ^ .0^ .^" .^. .-^^^ 1- . ^ tt.. 4 o^ c ip-'*. ■" "*^..<=.* * A <^. 4 o \"'^^*V^ "V"^^V ^.'^^'^^"^^^ '^ I/- - f • o. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/resolutionsofuni01repu RESOLUTIONS OF THB Wimu llepUican ^Mt €mkuiwti OF A PENNSYLVANIA, Meld at Willia^nsport, June 26, 1867 : AND .4.i>i>ja OF THE J EEPXJBLIC^J^ PLA.TFOR The Republicans of Pennsylvania, appealing again to the people, take pleasure in re- calling the repeated occasions on which the voters of the Com- monwealth have sustained and ratified their candidates and principles ; and, strongly impressed with the importance of the issues involved in the ensu- ing election, make this declaration of their opinions and purposes : First. That, in the name of the N'ation saved from treason, we demand security against its repetition, by exacting from the vanquished such guar- anties as will make treason so odious as to be forever impossible. Second. That, as in the past we cordially justified the administration of Abraham Lincoln in all necessary acts for the suppression of the rebellion, we record it as our judgment that the administration of Andrew Johnson has been chiefly faithless, in that it has failed lo try to gather up and fix in the organic and statute law the great principles which the war has set- tled, and without whose adoption as a rule of action peace is but a delu- sion and a snare. Third,. That, in the completion of the task of reconstruction so firmly as to be perpetual, it is indispensable that traitors beaten in the field shall not find a sanctuary in the courts ; that the law shall not be tortured to justify or palliate the crimes of which the country's enemies have been gmilty ; and that the law of the war shall be so distinctly declared by the courts that no disturbing and paralyzing doubts may ever be raised, as in 1861, respect- ing the essential rights of the Government, or the personal duties of the citizen. Fourth. That this convention, speaking for the Republicans of Pctnusyi- vania, unreservedly endorse the Reconstruction measures of the Thirty- ninth and Fortieth Congresses as based upon sound principles, essentially just and wise, and promising an early, loyal and permanent restoration of the E,ebel States to their proper share in the government of the Union. That we denounce and contemn the efforts of President Johnson, through his pliant Attorney General and a majority of his Cabinet, to evade those la^s by. interfering to obstruct and prevent their enforcement in the spif^^c 4 in which they were enacted ; and that we call upon Congress, soon to meety promptly and decisively to dispose of this new Nullification. Fifth. That the thanks of the loyal men of this Comm.on wealth are here- by tendered to Major General Sheridan and Major General Sickels, for their publicly- declared unwillingness to be instrumental, in the startling and truthful words of the former, in opening, under Presidential dictation, "a broad, macadamized road for perjury and fraud to travel od," to the coveted re-possession of political powet in the Rebel States ; and that this conven- tion confidently expect that General Grant will vindicate his past record by cordially sustaining them in their patriotic efforts to execute the law. Sixth. That President Johnson further merits our condemnation for his reckless paisdoa, and attempted restoration to political rights, of many of the chief conspirators against the Union ; and that especially his persistent efforts to compel the release of Jefferson Davis, without question for his crimes, were a reproach to the administration of justice and an insult to the whole loyal people of the Nation. ■ Seventh. That warned by past misfortunes, we ask that the Supreme Court of the State be placed in harmony with the political opinions of the majority of the people, to the end that the court may never again, by unjust decisions, seek to set aside laws vital to the nation, nor imperil the safety of public securities, nor impair the operation of the bounty, pension and tax laws which were required for the public defence, nor in any way thwart measures which jvere deemed essential to public protection ; but that, on the other hand, it may become and remain a fit and faithful interpreter of the liberal spirit of the age, a bulwark of public faith, and an impartial and fearless exponent of the equal rights of man. Eighth. That Protection being a cardinal feature of the Republican creed, we trust that such legislation will be secured at the earliest practical pe- riod as will afford adequate protection to American Industry. Ninth. That, in conformity with the pledges given last fall by both can- didates for Governor, we now demand the enactment of a free railroad law, by which the enterprise of our people may be stimulated, and the resources ol' the Commonwealth developed. Tenth. That in Governor John W. Geary we recognize an honest and ocrarageous public servant, who, in the chair of State, is add ing freshness to laurels gallantly won in war. Eleventh. That the gratitude of the people to the soldiers and saiiorg whose bravery met and overthrew the slaveholders' rebellion, should have repeated and emphatic expression ; and that we heartily disapprove of an€ eondemn the course of the Secretary of the Treasury in postponing and ig- aoiing the just claims of our brave defenders upon the bounty of the Govern- ment, awarded to them by the National Congress. Twelfth. That in the Hon. Henry W. Williams, of Allegheny county, we present to the people of Pennsylvania an eminent jurist ; one in every way well qualified for the responsible duties of the office of Judge of the Supreme Court ; able as a lawyer ; impartial, prompt, and thorough as a judge ; honest, upright, without suspicion as a man, and loyal and unwaver- ing in his devotion to the cause of his country. A.DDRESS OF THE UKIOI MPUBLICAi^ STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE. Committee Rooms, | Haerisbueg, July 26, 1867. J TO THE PEOPLE OF PEI^NSYLVANIA : Fellow citizens: — The official term of Geo. W. Woodward, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, is about to expire ; and under the Con- stitution his successor will be elected on the second Tuesday of October next. This election is every way important, and the more so, because of the great principles and issues involved, and of the fact that the term is for fifteen years. All the powers of our Governments, both National and State, are divided into three classes : the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The people are the source of all power; and our Constitutions provide the manner in which all offices shall be filled, and the terms for which they shall be held. The National judiciary being for life, and that of the State judiciary fifteen years, changes in these tribunals are wrought more slowly than in the other branches of the Government ; and hence should be made with the greater caution and wisdom ; for nothing is of greater public importance than a wise and patriotic judiciary. Our past history shows a constant tendency in these several departments to enlarge their respective jurisdictions, and oecasionally to encroach on each other ; and especially is this true of the judiciary. It is but recently the Supreme Court of the United States, in the interests of slavery, gravely undertook to overturn the foundations of the Government on that question, and to nullify and destroy acts of Congress enacted by the men who made the Constitution, The Dred Scott decision virtually legalized and extended slavery over all the Territories of the Union, in draance of Congress and the people; and laid down principles, which, but for subsequent events, would have extended slavery and made it lawful in all the States. And after the recent civil war was inaugurated, our State judiciary, by a denial of the constitutional powers of Congress and of our State Legislature, in measures absolutely necessary to carry on the war and save the nation, so imperiled our cause as to make intelligent patriots everywhere tremble for the issue of the contest. True, these false theories did not prevail. But it is equally true the continued assertion of them paralyzed the arms of both the National and State Governments, dis- tracted a{pd disheartened our people, gave aid and comfort to the enemy, prolonged the war, and added immeasurably to our sacrifices of blood and treasure. Hence it is, " That warned by past misfortunes, we ask that the Supreme Court of the State be placed in harmony with the political opin- ions of the majority of the people, to the end that the Court may never again, by unjust decisions, seek to set aside laws vital to the nation." Who, then, are Henry W. Williams and George Sharswood, the candi- dates for this vacant seat upon the Supreme bench ? What are their past records, and where do they stand, in these eventful times, and on these mo- mentous issues ? The weal or woe of the Commonwealth, and perhaps of the nation, is involved in these questions ; and it behooves every patriotic voter in the State to examine them with care. Of Judge Williams, the Union Republican candidate, we here propose to give no extended biography. He is a high-toned Christian gentleman, about forty-six years of age, a ripe scholar, and a learned and eminent lawyer, with fifteen years' judicial experience on the bench of the District Court of Allegheny county. He was first elected judge in 1851, when he ran over one thousand votes ahead of his ticket, and was re-elected in 1861, by the unanimous vote of all parties. The following extract, from an edi- tioriai in the Pittsburg Post, (the principal Democratic paper of the West,) shows the estimation in which he is held by political adversaries : " The nomination of the Hon. Henry W. Williams as a candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court is a good one. He was the best man named before the Bepublican Convention, and possesses legal and moral qualifica- tions for the responsible position to which he has been nominated." He is of the Webster and Clay school of politics, and daring the recent civil war, from the beginning to the end, did everything in his power, through his means, his voice, and his votes, to strengthen the hands and encourage the hearts of the loyal people in the struggle to maintain the Union. Who, and what Judge Sharswood is, as a public man, will appear from what follows : Early in the history of this nation political sentiment became divided on the powers of the National and State Governments, and- their true relations to each other. On these divisions two great parties were subsequently founded. The one, known as the State Rights party, had John C. Calhoun for its champion ; and the other, for its recognized leader, had the great ex- pounder of the Constitution, Daniel Webster. The former held free trade, and the right of nullification and secession as cardinal doctrines, denying the constitutional power of Congress to impose duties for protection, and 8 claiming nullification and secession as inherent rights of a State. The lat- ter denied these assumptions, and between these conflicting principles and parties there has been perpetual warfare. In the main, the old Whig party- ranged itself under the banner of Webster, and the Democratic party under that of Calhoun. One of the legitimate fruits of the State right* doctrine was the rebellion of 1833, in South Carolina ; the avowed object of which was to nullify the protective tariff law of Congress, enacted in 1828. The country at that time was saved from a disastrous civil war by the firmness of President Jackson, the wisdom of Congress, and the patriotism of Gen- eral Scott. That effort at rebellion and civil war failed ; and the principle on which it was based was repudiated. But in 1860 and 1861 South Caro- lina, and other rebel States, again endeavored to put in force their States rights doctrine of secession. The sympathy, imbecility, and connivance of President Buchanan, and his advisers, so contributed to the success of the effort, that its consummation could only be prevented by a long, desperate, and bloody civil war. In the end, and after fearful sacrifices of life and trea- sure, the rights and power of the National Government were again vindicated; and the Calhoun doctrine of secession was again overthrown. Such at least has been the popular conviction, and cause for rejoicing ; and even .the worst of Southern rebels have been compelled to confess it, and for two years past have been weeping over their "lost cause." Strange, sad and incredible as it may seem, we are already called upon to fight these great issues over again ! The Democratic party, with Judge Sharswood for its leader, and with Free Trade, State Rights and Secession upon its banner, is again marshaling its hosts, and now summoning us to the field of politi- cal combat, on these same issues ! That party, at their National Conven- tions in 1856 and 1860, re-adopted what are known as the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions of 1798 and 1799, as part of their platforms. These resolutions are known as the embodiment of the old State rights and Cal- houn doctrines. They do not regard the relations of the States or people thereof to the United States as constituting a government, in the ordinary and proper sense of the term, but declare them to be merely a compact, and that " as in all other cases of compact among parties having no common judge, each, party has an equal right to judge for itself, AS wbll of infrac- tions, AS or THE MODE AKD MEASURE OF BEDEESS, " Under this free Democratic charter for rebellion, the lawful election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States was claimed by the people of the rebel States as an "infraction " of the " compact ;" and they chose secession and civil war as the "•mode,'^^ and the destruction of the Union and State independence as ''the measure of redress.''^ The Demo- cratic party at its last National Convention proclaimed the war -a failure ; and it has now put in the field a life-long Free Trade and State Sights can- didate, whom Judge Black endorses as one who "will stand by the Consti- tution and give pure law," viz : Who will stand by the Constitution as the State Rights party construe it, and give us such "pure law" as Judge Black has given President Buchanan and Andrew Johnson. Judge Sharswood and his party friends have not only denied the lawful power of the IS'ational Government to coerce a rebellious State, to make and enforce a draft, to make paper money a legal tender, to emancipate and arm negroes, to punish rebels and traitors by disfranchisement, to suspend the writ of habeas corpus in time of rebellion, or to arrest and try offenders in time of war by court-martial ; but they hold that ail these things, though actually done, were illegally and wrongfully done, and therefore settled nothing I Or, as the Democratic organ, (the Philadelphia Age,) in a re- cent elaborate editorial on the Republican State platform, thus expresses the same idea : " We put it to the sober thoughts of the people of Penn- sylvania, whether they would not have all these grave pending questions decided according to law, and not according to war, just, in fact, as they WOULD have been DECIDBD HAD THEY ARISEN EIGHT YEARS AGO, OR HAD NO WAR TAKEN PLACE." Is, then, the "lost cause" not lost ? Has the late dreadful war decided nothing ? Is the right of secession an open question ? Has slavery not been abolished ? Are not the four millions of bondmen free ? Has our national debt no legal existence ? Have the victors no power over the vanquished ? Have the rebel States and people lost no rights by rebellion ? Have our sacrifices of blood and treasure been ail made in vain ? Fellow- citizens, weigh well these solemn questions, and answer them at the ballot- box on the second Tuesday of October next. Having concluded to reserve for a future occasion some remarks on party organization, and other topics, this address might here properly close. But, it may be asked by some, is Judge Sharswood, indeed, the political heretic herein set forth ? "A man is known by the company he keeps," says the old adage. We have the right to assume, and have assumed, that the Judge is of the same political faith as his party, and the public will hold him re- sponsible for all the guilty acts and omissions of his party. •There can be no mistaking the true position of the man who recently delivered an elabo- rate opinion denying the constitutional power of Congress to make paper money a legal tender. (See the case of Borie vs. Trott, l^egal Intelligencer of March 18, 1864, page 92.) And when we go further back, and examine his early history, we find ample justification for all