Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-07-20

legislation. It is under this legislation of
congress, that Ohio now assumes her juris-
diction. Will it not afford subject of sim
gular inquiry to the people OF the United
States, that q sovereign and independent
member of the confederacy, demanding
constitutional right, should forget the high
stand she had assumed, and sue for, as
boon from congress, that which her public
servants under the solemn oath of their OFF,
ces, had previously declared to be secured
by her constitution. Has she not aban-
doned, not from patriotic and elevated con-
siderations of public good, but in the eager
grasp of mercenary motives, the bold
grounds upon which she based her claim
and placed it before the nation? What
fall she has made from 'her high and palrny
state Where is the chivalry Of "her mill.
ion Of treemen?''
In the progress of the investigation Of
this subject it may be well for us to consd-
er, how far our situation may be analogous
to that of the people of Missouri at the time
they were admitted into the Union. Upon
the formation of her constitution and state
government, Missouri asserted and exer-
cised all the reserved rights of an Ameri-
can state. The same rights are now guar
anteed to Michigan; and if there hereto.
fore existed doubts calculated to draw in
question the independent character of her
government, those doubts are removed by
the legislation of congress, accepting and
confirming her constitution. The condi-
ton annexed to the admission of Missouri,
is also similar in character to that which is
urged upon the people of Michigan. The
people of Missouri in the mode prescribed
by congress, gave their assent to the con-
ditions Of their admission, at the same time
protesting against the constitutionality of
the power exercised by the general govern
ment, and maintaining that their compli-
ance with the letter of that act, did not, and
could not impait their constitutional rights.
1t may be therefore worthy the inquiry, how
far the qualified assent of the people of
Michigan, to the letter of their conditional
admission into the Union, would impair the
force of their constitution, or preclude
the right Of future prosecution of their
claims.
Our duty then, fellow citizens, is to refer
the subject to the only tribunal competent
to determine it. That tribunal is the PEG.
pie. Their decision it is our duty to abide.
That their rights have been violated cam
not be doubted: and it is for them to de-
eide what course shall now be pursued.
So far as may be called upon to bear an
humble lot, in carrying into full effect their
decision, can only say, that | will pursue
THEIR will, disregarding all other considera-
tons. The highest obligations | acknow.
ledge, are due to the people of Michigan,
and whatever may be their action on this
all-important question it shall receive my
support. 1t is due however, to our own
character, that if we refuse our assent to the
proposition ofcongress, we should not sur
render our jurisdiction over the territory in
dispute. If we are unwilling to comply
with the conditions of the government of
the United States, it would i'll become us to
permit any jurisdiction, to be wrested from
us by Ohio. Should we make the result
civil strife, let it be contest for principle,
and let every citizen be prepared to partici.
pate freely in its consequences.
have thus, fellow citizens, avaied my
self of the opportunity offered, to lay before
you such views as have occurred to me at
the moment of presenting to you the lead
ing object ofyour session. Subjects of mi
nor Importance requiring your attention
will be communicated by special messages.
AS the final decision of the question of ad-
mission into the union, is to be given by a bo-
body elected for that purpose, it would per-
hapshaveappearedindel ifnot presump-
tuous in me, to have suggested the adop-
ton of any specific policy on the subject. l
have therefore abstained from such course.
Relying upon the patriotism and intelligence
of the people, / am content to submit the
result to their action; and with an humble
confidence in the supreme Ruler ofthe uni
verse, humbly implore him to guide us to
those measures which will lead to our last
ing prosperity and happiness, and pro-
mote the permanent welfare of the UNION.
STEVENS Il. MASON.
Detroit, July 18th, 1886.