ILLINOIS. 



519 



SEC. 31. That the people of this State regard the 

 Union of the States, under the Federal Constitution, AS 

 PERMANENT AND INDISSOLUBLE, from which no State has 

 a constitutional right to withdraw or secede. 



These two sections embody the principle. 

 They clearly define the distinction between the 

 State and the Federal Governments, the preser- 

 vation of which has justified the beautiful ex- 

 pression in regard to this system that the States, 

 under the Federal Government, are "distinct 

 as the billows, yet one as the sea." 



In relation to negroes the constitution of the 

 State has for some years contained the follow- 

 ing provision : 



ART. 14. The General Assembly shall at its first ses- 

 sion under the amended constitution pass such laws as 

 will effectually prohibit free persons of color from im- 

 migrating to and settling in this State, and to effectu- 

 ally prevent the owners of slaves from bringing them 

 into this State for the purpose of setting them free. 



This constitution was submitted to the elec- 

 tors of the State in June for their approval. 

 Some of its provisions were also submitted sep- 

 arately. The result of the vote of the people 

 was as follows : 



For the new constitution 125,050 



Against the new constitution 141,113 



For the article prohibiting banks 126,533 



Against the article prohibiting banks 130,339 



For the exclusion from the State of negroes and 



mulattoes 171.S96 



Against the exclusion of negroes and mulattoes. .. 71,306 

 Against granting the right of suffrage or office to 



negroes or mulattoes 211.920 



In favor of granting the right of suffrage or office to 



negroes or mulattoes 85,649 



For the enactment of laws to prevent negroes and 



mulattoes from going to ana voting in the State 193,933 

 Against the enactment of laws to prevent negroes 



and mnlattocs from going to and voting in the 



State 44.414 



For Congressional apportionment 125,740 



Against Congressional apportionment 13-2,970 



Thus while some of the provisions of the new 

 constitution received a majority of the votes 

 cast and were thereby approved, yet the instru- 

 ment entire was rejected. 



The only movement of importance in political 

 affairs related to the choice of members of Con- 

 gress at an election held on the 14th of October, 

 and members of the State Legislature. The 

 State being entitled to an additional member of 

 Congress, under the new apportionment of Con- 

 gress, and as the election took place before 

 any session of the Legislature by which the 

 State might be redistricted, this additional 

 member was chosen by the electors of the 

 whole State. A treasurer and superintendent 

 of public instruction were also chosen by the 

 electors of the whole State. 



As usual, the questions of national politics 

 formed the issue of the election, and the re- 

 spective parties, of which there were two, held 

 their conventions, nominated their candidates, 

 and made their declaration of principles. 



The Eepublican Convention assembled at 

 Springfield, on Sept. 24. B. C. Cook was 

 chosen president. It nominated E. C. Inger- 

 sall for congressman at. large, Newton Bateman 

 for superintendent of public instruction, and 

 "Wm. Butler for treasurer, and adopted the fol- 

 lowing declaration of principles : 



Whereas, The Government of the United States is 

 now engaged in the suppression of a rebellion, the 

 most causeless that has ever occurred in the history of 

 nations ; and whereas the successful and immediate 

 suppression of the same demands the united and hearty 

 cooperation of all loyal citizens, we, therefore, the 

 Union men of the State of Illinois, do proclaim tho 

 following as the basis of our action : 



Resolved, That we acknowledge_ but two divisions of 

 the people of the United States in this crisis those 

 who are loyal to its Constitution, and are ready to make 

 every sacrifice for the integrity of the Union and the 

 maintenance of civil liberty within it, and those who 

 openly or covertly endeavor to sever our country or to 

 yield to the insolent demands of its enemies that we 

 fraternize with the former and detest the latter ; and 

 that, forgetting all our former party names and dis- 

 tinctions, we call upon all our patriotic citizens to 

 rally for one undivided country, one flag, one destiny. 



Resolved, That the preservation of constitutional 

 liberty, the integrity of American soil, and the memo- 

 ries of three fourths of a century of peace and prosper- 

 ity, such as before were never exhibited in the world's 

 history, demand the prosecution of this war to what- 

 ever extent it may be necessary, or at whatever sacrifice 

 may be required. 



Resolved, That we cordially endorse the proclama- 

 tion of freedom and confiscation of the President, is- 

 sued September 22, 1862, as a great and imperative 

 war measure, essential to the salvation of the Union ; 

 and we hereby pledge all truly loyal citizens to sus- 

 tain him in its complete and faithful enforcement. 



Resolved, That all laws now in force, passed for the 

 purpose of crippling the latent resources of the rebel- 

 lion, by confiscating the property of rebels, meet the 

 hearty concurrence of this convention ; and we shall 

 hold all officers, both civil and military, responsible for 

 a strict and vigorous enforcement of the same. 



Resolved, That the maintenance of the Government 

 and the preservation of national unity are the great 

 end and purpose of the present war, an'd to accomplish 

 these the rignts of person and property in all sections 

 of the country should be subordinate. 



Resolved, That we admire and heartily commend the 

 patriotic and efficient aid rendered by loyal Democrats 

 to the present Administration, while we deprecate the 

 course of political leaders, representing party organi- 

 zation, in finding fault with the Administration in the 

 prosecution of the war, while they studiously avoid be- 

 ing harsh toward the conspirators of the South who 

 are now attempting to sweep down the last vestige of 

 constitutional liberty. 



Resolved, That, while we are in favor of a system of 

 direct taxation to any extent necessary to suppress the 

 rebellion, maintain the public credit, and pay the inter- 

 est on the national debt, we are, nevertheless, in favor 

 of such modifications of the present law as may be 

 found necessary to make it equitable in its opera- 

 tion. 



Resolved, That, regarding the construction of a ship 

 canal connecting the Mississippi and the lakes as a 

 work of great national importance, demanded alike by 

 military necessity and the wants of commerce, and 

 calculated to unite more closely the different sections 

 of our country, we would urge upon our representa- 

 tives in Congress to use their best efforts to secure the 

 passage of an act for the speedy accomplishment of 

 this great national work. 



Resolved, That the governor of this State, in his 

 zealous and efficient labors to bring into the field the 

 full quota of Illinois troops, and in the effort he has 

 made to provide our soldiers with things necessary for 

 their comfort, when sick and wounded, deserves and 

 should receive the commendation and gratitude of the 

 entire people of the State of Illinois. 



Resolved, That the volunteers of this State who have 

 so patriotically perilled their lives in the defence of our 

 common country are entitled to the lasting gratitude 

 of the people, and we hail with especial delight their 

 noble heroism exhibited on every battle field from the 

 Potomac to the Kansas. 



