Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-01-23
Mr.. NORRIS RESOLUTIONS.

ReSOlCEUS L IldI Ill llG IOEIldlIOu Vi
the Federal Constitution, the States
acted in their sovereign capacity; but
the adoption of the same was, by the
people Of the several States, by their
agents specially elected for that pur-
pose, and the people of the several
States, by their own free and voluntary
assent, entered into the compact of
Union proposed in the Constitution,
with the view to form a more perfect
union, establish justice, ensure domes-
tic tranquility, provide for the common
defence, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessing of liberty to
themselves and their posterity; and
that the means of attaining all these
important objects are fully provided for
in the grants of power contained in the
constitution itself.
RESOLVED, That the people of the Sc
veral States, in delegating a portion of
their power to the Federal Government
which they had formerly exercised bv
their own Legislatures, severallv re-
tanned the exclusive and sole right over
their domestic institutions, which they
had not, by the constitution, granted to
the Federal Government, and thew re-
served to individuals, and to the States
IN their sovereign character. the full IL
berty of speech and the press. to dis
cuss the domestic institutions of anv of
the States, whether political, moral or
religious, and that it would be the ex-
erclse OF unauthorized power on the
part OIL this government, or that of anv
OItne States, to attempt to restrain the
same; and that any endeavor to do so.
would be insulting to the people and
the States SO interfered with; for each
State alone has the power to punish in.
dlvIduals for the abuse of this liberty
within their own jurisdiction: and
whenever one State shall attempt tc
make criminal acts done by citizens il
another State where done, the neces,
sary consequence would be to weaker
the bonds ofour Union.
ResolUed, That this government
was adopted by the people of the sew
eral States ofthis Union as a common
agent, to carry into effect the power,
which they had delegated by the Con,
stltutlon; and in ftllflment Of this hiot
and sacred trust, this Government q
To- exercise its functions as not to in.
terlere with the reserved rights Of the
STATES over their own domestic institu
IONS; and It IS the duty of this Govern,
ment to refrain from any attempt. how.
ever remote, to operate on the liberty
OF speech and the press, as secured 70
the citizens Of each State by the Con.
SItu'lon and laws thereof. That the
Snlteu states are to secure to each
state a Republican form of Govern
ment' and to protect each of them
against invasion or domestic violence
ana ior no other purpose can Congress
State. -'00 VI d
ReSOIred, That domestic slavery as
It exists in the southern and Western
states, IS moral and political evil and
tla' ltS existence at the time of the
adoption of the Constitution is not re-.
cognlzed by that instrument as an 90.
scntIal element in the exercise of its
powers over the several States. and no
Ghange Of feeling on the part of any of
!he States can justify them or their cit
s sI IN open and systematic attacks on
the right of petition, the freedom of
speech or the liberty of the press, with
view to silence either, on any subject
Whatever; and that all such attacks are
manifest violations of the mutual and
solemn pledge to protect and defend
each other, and as such is a manifest
breach Of faith, and violation of the |