The Highland Weekly News

The Republican Union Party of Ohio, in Convention assembled, declare:

1. That one of the great lessons of the war is, that the American people are a nation, and not merely a confederacy of sovereign and independent States.

2. That our existence as a nation is based on the great principles announced in the Declaration of Independence, and vindicated by the proclamation of emancipation, the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery, and the spirit of republican democracy and justice which underlies the reconstruction policy of the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Congress, which we hereby fully indorse; and we demand shall be carried into complete effect by every needful act of additional legislation.

3. That while we will always cherish and defend the American system of local and municipal self-government of national purposes, and while we are unalterably opposed to all attempts at centralization or consolidation of power anywhere, we hold that liberty and human rights constitute our great national boon, which local or State organizations must not be allowed to abridge or take away.

4. That infused with the spirit of true Democracy, and believing that the power necessary for the purpose of attaining the ends of government ought not to be restricted to a privileged class, but should be vested in the whole people, without unjust or odious distinctions, or qualifications not equally attainable by all; and further, believing that these sentiments are in strict accordance with the spirit and tendency of modern civilization, we place ourselves on the simple and broad platform of impartial manhood suffrage, as embodied in the proposed amendment to the State Constitution, appealing to, and confiding in, the intelligence, justice and patriotism of the people of Ohio, to approve it at the ballot box.

5. That the American people owe a debt of lasting gratitude to the brave soldiers and sailors who, in the late struggle for our national existence, so nobly fought for our liberties, and for the privations, sufferings and sacrifices which they endured, the loyal men of Ohio hereby pledge to them, and to the widows and orphans of those who fell in defence of the nation, our sympathies and substantial support.

6. That we approve and indorse the military administration of our distinguished fellow-citizen, Major General Phil. H. Sheridan, in Louisiana and Texas, and pledge him, and the military commanders in the several military districts of the South, the cordial support of the Union men of Ohio, in their efforts to protect the loyal people of the late rebel States, and to secure the organization of loyal and constitutional governments in said States.

7. That we fully indorse and approve of the administration of our present Gov. J. D. Cox, and extend to him our hearty thanks for the faithful and able manner in which he has discharged his official duties, and sustained the credit and honor of our noble State.