the table, which was lost-yeas 5, (Messrs. Cobb, Davis, Grinnell, Hale, Trowbridge,) nays 112. Mr. Schenck moved this as a substitute: Resolved, That the President of the United States, in the opinion of this House, should reconsider the policy which has been adopted by him as between the British Government and that portion of the Irish people who, under the name of Fenians, are struggling for their independent nationality; and that he be requested to adopt as nearly as practicable that exact course of procedure which was pursued by the Government of Great Britain on the occasion of the late civil war in this country between the United States and rebels in revolt, recognizing both parties as lawful belligerents, and observing between them a strict neutrality. on Foreign Affairs, stating that if referred the committee would report upon it. The motion was agreed to-yeas 87, nays 35, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Alley. Allison, Delos R. Ashley, James M. Ashley, Baker, Ba dwin, Banks, Baxter, Beaman. Lidwell, Bingham, Blaine, Boutwell, Bromwell, Buckland, Dundy, Reader W. Clarke, Sidney Clarke, Cobb, Cook, Cullom, Dawes, Defrees, Delano, Dodge, Driggs, Eckley, Farnsworth, Farquhar, Grinnell, Harris, Hart, Hayes, Holmes, Deruas Hubbard, Edwin N. Hubbell, Jenckes, Jones, Kasson, Kelley, Kuykendall, Laflin, Latham, George V. Lawrence, Wil liam Lawrence, Longyear, Marvin, McClurg, McKee. MeRuet, Mercur, Miller. Morrill, Morris, Moulton, Myers, O'Neill, Orth, Paine, Perham, Phelps, Pike, Planis, Price, William H. Randall, Raymond, Alexander II. Rice, John H. Rice, Ross, Rousseau, Sawyer, Schenck, Scofield, Shellabarger, Sloan, Spalding, Thayer, Trowbridge, Upson, Ward, Welker, Whaley, Williams, James F. Wilson, Stephen F. Wilson, Windom, Woodbridge—87. NAYS-Messrs. Ancona, Bergen, Boyer, Chanler, Coffroth, Darling. Davis, Dumont, Eldridge, Finck, Glossbrenner, Mr. Hale moved to table it; which was lost-Grider, Hale, Aaron Harding, Hogan, James M. Humphrey, yeas 8, (Messrs. Cobb, Davis, Dawes, Dodge, Griswold, Hale, Sloan, Trowbridge,) nays 113. Mr. Banks moved to refer to the Committee Johnson, Kerr, Ketcham, McCullough, Niblack, Pomeroy, XI. VOTES ON SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND OTHER POLITICAL BILLS. Suffrage in District of Columbia. IN HOUSE. January 10, 1866-Pending this bill, offered by Mr. Kelley, December 5, 1865, and reported from the Judiciary Committee by Mr. James F. Wilson, December 18, and then postponed till this day: A Bill extending the right of suffrage in the Be it enacted, &c., That from all laws and parts of laws prescribing the qualifications of electors for any office in the District of Columbia the word white" be, and the same is hereby, stricken out, and that from and after the passage of this act no person shall be disqualified from voting at any election held in the said District on account of color. SEC. 2. That all acts of Congress and all laws of the State of Maryland in force in said District and all ordinances of the cities of Washington and Georgetown inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed and annulled. After debate, Mr. Wilson moved its recommitment. Mr. Hale moved to amend by adding these words with instructions to amend the bill so as to extend the right of suffrage in the District of Columbia to all persons coming within either of the following classes, irrespective of caste or color, but subject only to existing provisions and qualifications other than those founded on caste or color, to wit: First. Those who can read the Constitution of the United States. Second. Those who are assessed for and pay taxes on real or personal property within the District. Third. Those who have served in and been honorably discharged from the military or naval service of the United States, and to restrict such right of suffrage to the classes above named, and to include proper provisions excluding from the right of suffrage those who have borne arms against the United States during the late rebellion, or given aid or comfort to said rebellion. January 17, 1866-Mr. Wilson accepted Mr. Hale's amendment as part of his. January 18-Mr. Darling moved to postpone the bill till April 3. Mr. Niblack moved to lay the bill on the table, which was disagreed to-ycas 47, nays 123, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Ancona, Delos R. Ashley, Bergen, Boyer, Brooks, Chanler, Dawson, Denison, Eldridge, Finck, Gloss brenner, Goodyear, Grider, Aaron Harding, Hogar, Chester D. Hubbard, Edwin N. Hubbell, James M. Humphrey, Johnson, Jones, Kerr, Kuykendall, Latham, Le Blond, Marshall, McCullough, Niblack, Nicholson, Noell, Phelps, Radford Samuel J. Randall, William H. Randall, Ritter, Rogers, Ross, Shanklin, Sitgreaves, Smith, Strouse, Taber, Taylor John L. Thomas, jr., Thornton, Trimble, Voorhees, Vin field-47. NAYS-Messrs. Alley, Allison, Arues, Anderson, James M. Ashley, Baker, Baldwin, Banks. Barker, Baxter, Beaman, Taylor, Thayer, Francis Thomas, John L. Thomas, jr., Thorn The bill was then passed-yeas 116, nays 54, as follow: Bidwell, Bingham. Blaine, Blow, Boutwell, Brandegee, Brom-greaves, Sloan, Smith, Spalding, Starr, Stevens, Strouse, Taver, YEAS-Messrs. Alley, Allison, Ames, James M. Ashley, Baker, Baldwin, Banks, Barker, Baxter, Beaman, Bidwell, Bingham, Blaine, Blow, Boutwell, Brandegee, Bromwell. Broomall, Buckland, Bundy, Reader W. Clarke, Sidney Clarke, Cobb, Conkling, Cook, Cullom, Darling, Davis, Dawes, Defrees, Delano, Deming, Dixon, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eggleston, Eliot, Farnsworth, Ferry, Garfield, Grinnell, Griswold, Hale, Abner C. Harding, Hart, Hayes, Higby, Holmes, Hooper, Asahel W. Hubbard, Demas Hubbard, jr., John H. Hubbard, Hulburd, James Humphrey, Ingersoll, Jenckes, Julian, Kasson, Kelley, Kelso, Ketcham, Laflin, George V. Lawrence, William Lawrence, Loan, Longyear, Lynch, Marston, Marvin, McClurg, Mercur, Miller, Moor Mr. Darling modified his motion so as to post-head, Morrill, Morris, Moulton, Myers, O'Neill, Orth, Paine, pone until the first Tuesday in March, which was disagreed to-yeas 34, nays 138, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Banks, Conkling, Darling, Davis, Defrees, Eggleston, Farquhar, Ferry, Griswold, Hale, Hart, Henderson, Hill, Hogan, Jas. Humphrey, Kasson, Ketcham, Kuykendall, Laflin, Latham, George V. Lawrence, Marvin, Mercur, Miller, Orth, Phelps, William H. Randall, Raymond, Smith, Stillwell, John L. Thomas, jr., Trimble, Robert T. Van Horn-34. NAY-Messrs. Alley, Allison, Ames, Ancona, Delos R. Ashley, James M. Ashley, Baker, Baldwin, Barker, Baxter, Beaman, Benjamin, Bergen, Bidwell, Bingham, Blaine, Blow, Boutwell. Boyer, Brandegee, Bromwell, Brooks, Broomall, Bundy, Chanler, Reader W. Clarke, Sidney Clarke, Cobb, Cook, Cullom, Dawes, Dawson, Deming, Denison, Dixon, Donnelly, Driggs, Eckley, Eldridge, Eliot, Farnsworth, Finck, Garfield, Glossbrenner, Goodyear, Grider, Grinnell, Aaron Harding, Abner C. Harding, Hayes, Higby, Holmes, Hooper, A. W. Hubbard, Chester D. Hubbard, Demas Hubbard, jr., John H. Hubbard, Edwin N. Hubbell, Hulburd, James M. Patterson, Perham. Pike, Plants, Pomeroy, Price, Raymond, June 27, 1866-The bill, as reported to the Humphrey. Ingersoll, Jenckes, Johnson, Jones, Julian, Kel- Senate from its committee amended, was conley, Kelso, Kerr, William Lawrence, Le Blond, Loan, Longyear, Lynch, Marshall, Marston, McClurg, McCullough, Mc-sidered, the pending question being Mr. MorKee, Moorhead, Morrill, Morris, Moulton, Myers, Niblack, rill's motion to insert in the first section the Nicholson, Noell, O'Neill, Paine, Patterson, Perham, Pike, words in brackets, below: Plants, Pomeroy, Price, Radford, Samuel J. Randall, Alexander H. Rice, John H. Rice, Ritter, Rogers, Rollins, Ross, Sawyer, Schenck, Scofield, Shanklin, Shellabarger, Sitgreaves, Sloan, Spalding, Starr, Stevens, Strouse, Taber, Taylor, Thayer, Francis Thomas, Thornton, Trowbridge, Upson, Van Aernam, Burt Van Horn, Voorhees, Ward, Warner, Ellihu B. Washburne, William B. Washburn, Welker, Wentworth, Williams, James F. Wilson, Stephen F. Wilson, Windom, Winfield, Woodbridge-135. The question recurring on Mr. Wilson's motion to commit with instructions, Mr. Schenck moved to strike from the proposed instructions these words: "Those who are assessed for and pay taxes on real or personal property within the district;" which was agreed to. The motion to recommit as amended, was then disagreed to-yeas 53, nays, 117, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Anderson, Banks, Blow, Brandegee, Bromwell, Buckland, Reader W. Clarke, Conkling, Darling, Davis, Dawes, Defrees, Delano, Deming, Dixon, Driggs, Eckley, Eggleston, Ferry, Griswold, Hale, Hart. Hayes, Henderson, Hooper, Hulburd, James Humphrey, Jenckes, Kasson, Ketcham, Kuykendall, Laflin, Latham, George V. Lawrence, William Lawrence, Longyear, Marvin, Miller, Moorhead, Morris, Myers, O'Neill, Plants, Raymond, Alexander II. Rice, Schenck, Stillwell, Trowbridge, Burt Van iloru, Robert T. Van Horn, Warner, William B. Washburn. Woodbridge-53. NAYS-Messrs. Alley, Allison, Ames, Ancona, Delos R. Ashley, James M. Ashley, Baker, Baldwin, Barker, Baxter, Beaman, Benjamin, Bergen, Bidwell, Bingham, Blaine, Boutwell. Boyer, Brooks, Broomall, Bundy, Chanler, Clarke, Cobb, Cook, Cullom, Dawson, Denison, Donnelly, Eldridge, Eliot, Farnsworth, Farquhar, Finck, Garfield, Glossbrenner, Goodyear Grider, Grinnell, Aaron Harding, Abner C. Harding, Higby, Hill, Hogan, Holmes, Asahel W. Hubbard, Chester D. Hubbard, Demas Hub' ard, jr., John H. Hubbard, Edwin N. Hubbell, James M. Humphrey, Ingersoll, Johnson, Jones, Julian, Kelley, Kelso, Kerr, Le Blond, Loan, Lynch, Mar shall, Marston, McClurg. McCullough, McKee, Mercur, Morrill, Monlton, Niblack, Nicholson, Noell, Orth, Paine, PatterRandall, William H. Randall, John H. Rice, Ritter, Rogers, Rolling, Ross, Sawyer, Scofield, Shanklin, Shellabarger, Sit son, Perham, Phelps, Pomeroy, Price, Radford, Samuel J. That from and after the passage of this act, each and every male person, excepting paupers and persons under guardianship, of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, who has not been convicted of any infamous crime, or offence, and who is a citizen of the United States, and who shall have resided in the said district for tion therein, [and excepting persons who may the period of six months previous to any elec have voluntarily left the District of Columbia to give aid and comfort to the rebels in the late rebellion,] shall be entitled to the elective frantled to vote at any election in said District, chise, and shall be deemed an elector and entiwithout any distinction on account of color or race. Mr Morrill moved further to amend by inserting, also, after "therein," the words and who can read the Constitution of the United States in the English language, and write his name;" which was disagreed to-yeas 15, nays 19, as follow: ter, Harris, Kirkwood, Morrill, Poland, Pomeroy, Sherman, YEAS-Messrs. Anthony, Cragin, Edmunds, Fessenden, Fos Trumbull, Wade, Willey, Williams-15. NAYS-Messrs. Brown, Buckalew, Conness, Davis, Grimes, Guthrie, Hendricks, Howard, Howe, Morgan, Norton, Nye, Ramsey, Sprague, Stewart, Sumner, Van Winkle, Wilson, Yates-19. Mr. Willey offered this substitute for the bill: In all elections to be held hereafter in the District of Columbia, the following described persons and those only, shall have the right to vote, namely: first, all those persons who were actually residents of said District and qualified February 8-The bill passed-yeas 112, nays 29; the latter all Democrats, except Messrs. Driggs and Latham. to vote therein at the elections held therein in | James F. Wilson, Stephen F. Wilson, Windom, Wood bridge-104. the year 1865, under the statutes then in force; second all persons residents of said District who have been duly mustered into the military or naval service of the United States during the late rebellion, and have been or shall hereafter be honorably discharged therefrom; third, male citizens of the United States who shall have attained the age of twenty-one years, (excepting paupers, persons non compotes mentis, or convicted of an infamous offence,) and who, being residents of the ward or district in which they shall offer to vote, shall have resided in said District for the period of one year next preceding any election, and who shall have paid the taxes assessed against them, and who can read, and who can write their names. The bill as finally passed provided that until January 1, 1867, any person applying for the benefit of the act shall swear that he has not borne arms against the United States, or given aid and comfort to its enemies Habeas Corpus. IN HOUSE. March 20-The bill to amend an act entitled "An act relating to habeas corpus, and regulating judicial proceedings in certain cases," approved March 3, 1863, was passed—yeas 113, No further vote has been taken up to date of nays 31, as follow: putting this page to press. West Virginia Bill. YEAS-Messrs. Alley, Allison, Ames, Anderson, Delos R. Ashley, James M. Ashley, Baker, Baldwin, Banks, Barker, Baxter, Beaman, Bidwell, Bingham, Blaine, Blow, Boutwell, Bromwell, Broomall, Buckland, Bundy, Reader W. Clarke, February 6, 1866-The HOUSE passed a joint Conkling, Cook! Cullom, Delano, Deming, Dixon, Driggs, Dumont, Eggleston, Eliot, Farnsworth, Farquhar, Ferry, resolution giving the consent of Congress to the Garfield, Grinnell, Abner C. Harding, Hart, Hayes, Hender transfer of Berkeley and Jefferson counties to son, Hill, Holmes, Hooper, Asahel W. Hubbard, Chester D West Virginia-yeas 112, nays 24; (the latter Hubbard, Demas Hubbard, jr., John II. Hubbard, James R. Hubbell, Hulburd, Ingersoll, Jenckes, Kasson, Kelley, Kelso, all Democrats except Mr. Baker.) The SENATE Ketcham, Kuykendall, Laflin, Latham, George V. Lawrence passed it, March 6-yeas 32, nays 5.--Mr. John-William Lawrence, Loan, Lynch, Marston, Marvin, McClurg son, of Maryland, voted aye; the other Democrats, voting, voted nay. Extending the Homestead Act. IN HOUSE. McKee, McRuer, Miller, Moorhead, Morrill, Morris, Moulton, Myers, Newell, Noell, O'Neill, Orth, Paine, Perham, Phelps, Pike, Plants, Price, William H. Randall, Raymond, John H. Rice, Rollins, Rousseau, Sawyer, Scofield, Shella barger, Sloan, Smith, Stevens, Stillwell, Thayer, Trowbridge, Upson, Van Aernam, Burt Van Horn, Robert T. Van Horn, Ward, Warner, Ellihu B. Washburne, William B. Wash burn, Welker, Wentworth, Whaley, Williams, James F. Wilson, Windom, Woodbridge-113. February 7, 1866-A bill providing that all NAYS-Messrs. Ancona, Bergen, Boyer, Brooks, Chanler, the public lands in Alabama, Mississippi, Louis- Cofroth, Dawson, Eldridge, Glossbrenner, Grider, Hale, Aa iana, Arkansas, and Florida, shall be disposed ron Harding, Hogan, Edwin N. Hubbell, James M. Humof according to the stipulations of the home-phrey, Jones, Kerr, Le Blond, Marshall, McCullough, Nich olson, Samuel J. Randall, Ritter, Rogers, Ross, Sitgreaves, stead law of 1862, no entry to be made for more Strouse, Taber, Thornton, Trimble, Winfield-31. than eighty acres, and no discrimination to be made on account of race or color, and the mineral lands to be reserved, was considered. IN SENATE. April 20-The bill passed-yeas 30, nays 4. Mr. Taber moved to add this proviso: as follow: And provided, also, That nothing in this act YEAS-Messrs. Anthony, Chandler, Clark, Conness, Crashall be so construed as to preclude such persons gin, Doolittle, Edmunds, Foster, Henderson, Howard, Howe, as have been or shall be pardoned by the Presi-Johnson, Kirkwood, Lane of Indiana, Morgan, Norton, Nye, Poland, Pomeroy, Ramsey, Sprague, Stowart, Sumuor, Trumdent of the United States for their participation bull, Van Winkle, Wade, Willey, Williams, Wilson, Yates—in the recent rebellion from the benefit of his NAYS-Messrs Buckalew, Guthrie, Hendricks, Saulsbury act. Which was disagreed to-yers 37, nays 104, as follow: 30. -4. No Denial of the Elective Franchise on Account of Color. IN HOUSE. 1866, May 15-Pending the bill to amend the organic acts of the territories of Nebraska, Colorado, Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, of which this is the ninth section: YEAS-Messrs. Delos R. Ashley, Bergen, Boyer, Brooks, Mr. Le Blond moved to strike it out, which w 29 disagreed to—yeas 36, nays 76, as follow: Y8--Messrs Ancona, Delos R. Ashley, Bergen, Boyer, Chanter, Dawson, Denison, Eldridge, Finck, Glossbrenner, Goodyear, Grider, Aaron Harding, Chester D. Hubbard, Edwin N. Hubbell, Kerr, Kuykendall, Latham, Le Blond, Marthall, Niblack, Nicholson, Phelps, William H. Randall, Ritter, Rogers, Ross, Rousseau, Shanklin, Sitgreaves, Strouse, Tuber, Taylor, Trimble, Whaley, Wright—36. Jenckes, Julian, Kelley, Kelso, William Lawrence, Loar, The bill then passed-yeas 79, NAYS-Messrs. Allison, Ames, Anderson, James M. Ashley, Baker, Baldwin, Banks, Baxter, Blaine, Blow, Boutwell, Brandegee, Broomall, Sidney Clarke, Cook, Cullom, Darling, Davis, Dawes, Deming, Donnelly, Dumont, Eggleston, Farnsworth, Ferry, Garfield, Griswold, Hart, Hayes, Higby, Holmes, Hooper, Hotchkiss, Asahel W. Hubbard, Demas Hubbard, John H. Hubbard, Hulburd, Ingersoll, voted on. nays June 29-The bill was considered but not Union National Platform, June, 1864. Resolved, That it is the highest duty of every American citizen to maintain against all their enemies the integrity of the Union and the paramount authority of the Constitution and laws of the United States; and that, laying aside all differences of political opinions, we pledge our selves, as Union men, animated by a common sentiment and aiming at a common object, to do everything in our power to aid the Government in quelling by force of arms the Rebellion now raging against its authority, and in bringing to the punishment due to their crimes the Rebels and traitors arrayed against it. defence of their country and in vindication of the honor of its flag; that the nation owes to them some permanent recognition of their patriotism and their valor, and ample and permanent' provision for those of their survivors who have received disabling and honorable wounds in the service of the country; and that the memories of those who have fallen in its defence shall be held in grateful and everlasting remembrance. Resolved, That we approve and applaud the practical wisdom, the unselfish patriotism, and the unswerving fidelity to the Constitution and the principles of American Liberty, with which Abraham Lincoln has discharged, under circumResolved, That we approve the determination stances of unparalleled difficulty, the great duties of the Government of the United States not to and responsibilities of the Presidential office; compromise with Rebels, or to offer them any that we approve and endorse, as demanded by terms of peace, except such as may be based upon the emergency and essential to the preservation an unconditional surrender of their hostility and of the nation and as within the provisions of a return to their just allegiance to the Constitu- the Constitution, the measures and acts which tion and laws of the United States, and that we he has adopted to defend the nation against its call upon the Government to maintain this posi- open and secret foes; that we approve, especialtion, and to prosecute the war with the utmostly, the Proclamation of Emancipation, and the possible vigor to the complete suppression of the Rebellion, in full reliance upon the self-sacrifiing patriotism, the heroic valor, and the undying devotion of the American people to the country and its free institutions. Resolved, That as Slavery was the cause, and now constitutes the strength of this Rebellion, and as it must be, always and everywhere, hostile to the principles of Republican Government, justice, and the National safety demand its utter and complete extirpation from the soil of the Republic; and that, while we uphold and maintain the acts and proclamations by which the Government, in its own defence, has aimed a death-blow at this gigantic evil, we are in favor, furthermore, of such an amendment to the Constitution, to be made by the people in conformity with its provisions, as shall terminate and forever prohibit the existence of Slavery within the limits or the jurisdiction of the United States. Resolved, That the thanks of the American people are due to the soldiers and sailors of the Army and Navy, who have periled their lives in employment as Union soldiers of men heretofore held in slavery; and that we have full confidence in his determination to carry these and all other Constitutional measures essential to the salvation of the country into full and complete effect. Resolved, That we deem it essential to the general welfare that harmony should prevail in the National Councils, and we regard as worthy of public confidence and official trust those only who cordially endorse the principles proclaimedor in these resolutions, and which should characthe terize the administration of the Governmentsday Resolved, That the Government owes to inci men employed in its armies, without regard distinction of color, the full protection of the laws of war; and that any violation of these laws, or of the usages of civilized nations in time of war, by the Rebels now in arms, should be made the subject of prompt and full redress. Resolved, That foreign immigration, which in the past has added so much to the wealth, development of resources, and increase of power to 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 Beld as revolutionary, and resisted with all the Cl eans and power under our control. Da to' Resolved, That the aim and object of the DemScratic 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 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. Call for a National Union Convention, 1866. A National Union Convention, of at least two delegates from each congressional district of all the States, two from each Territory, two from the District of Columbia, and four delegates at large from each State, will be held at the city of Philadelphia, 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 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 constant, and universal in their obligation; The rights, the dignity, and the equality of the States in the Union, including the right of representation 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 pre scribe 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 |