The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-11
IN SENATE.
FRlpAY, Dec. %.

Fanny Dec. %.
The following are the resolutions offered by Mr.
Morris
Resolved, That in the formation of the Federal
Constitution the States acted in their sovereign
pacity but the adoption of the same was, by the
people ofhe several States, by their agents specially
elected for fat purpose and the people of the several
States by their own free and voluntary assent, en-
tered into the compact OF union proposed in the Con-
stuon, With the view 10 form more perfect union,
establish Justice ensure domestic tranquility, pro-
vide for the common defence, promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to them
selves and their pos'erity and that the means OF at
tanning all these important objects are fully provided
for in the grants OF power contained IN the Consitu-
ton itself.
Resolved, That the people of the several States in
delegating portion Of their power TO the Federal
Government, which they had formerly exercised by
their own Legislatures sevcray retained the exclu-
sive and sole right over their domestic institutions,
which they had not by the Constitution granted to
the Federal Government, and they reserved 10 indi
viduals and TO the States in their sovereign charac-
ter the full liberty ofspeech and the press TO discuss
the domestic institutions of any OF the States, whe-
Their political moral religious, and that 1t would
be the exercise Of Unauthorized power on the part
of this Government, or that OF any Of The States, to
attempt 10 restrain the same; and that any endeavor
to do so, would be insulting to the people and the
States so nterfered with; for each Stale alone has
the power punish individuals for the abuse OF this
liberty within their own jurisdiction; and whenever
one State shall attempt TO make criminal acts done
by citizens in another State, which are lawful in the
State where done, The necessary consequence would
be TO weaken the bands Of our Union.
Resolved, That this Government was adopted by
the people Of the several States of this Union,
agent, 10 carry into effect The powers which
they had delegated by the CONSTITUTIONS and in full
flment of this high and sacred trust, this Govern
ment is bound to exercise its functions not TO
interfere with the reserved rights OF the States over
their domestic institutions; and il is the duty Of this
Government 10 refrain from any attempt, however
a. sIart1, 1Fex ~
press as secured the citizens Of each State by the
Constitution and laws thereof. That the U. States
bound to secure 10 each State republican form
of Government and TO protect each OF them against
invasion or domestic violence and for no other pur
pose Congress interfere with the internal police
of State.
Resolved That domestic slavery as it exists in the
Southern and Western States, is moral and politi-
cal evil and that its existence at the time of the adop
ton of the Constitution is not recognized by that in
strument as an essential element in the exercise of
its powers the several States, and no change of
feeling on The part Of any of the States can justify
them or their citizens 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
10 protect and defend each other, and as such is
manifest breach Of faith, and violation of the most
solemn obligations, boih political, moral and reli-
gious.
State or any citizen thereof as well as an indispen-
sable duty TO endeavor by all legal and constitutional
MEANS TO abolish whatever is immoral and sinful,
and that Congress alone possesses the power TO abo
lSh slavery and the slave trade in this District
any of the Territories of the United States and the
right of petition Of Speech and Of the press, TO ac
complsh this object is not to be questioned and that
an act OF Congress on this subject would be within
its constitutional powers.
Resolved, Thai The Union Of these States rests
upon the virtue and intelligence of the citizens in
supporting the Constitution OF the United States, and
not upon any supposed advantages Il may anoia 70
Of an especially Of this body, which represents
the States in their sovereign character, 10 resist all
attempts discriminate between the States and that
il would be unwise, unjust, and contrary TO The Con
situion TO annex any new Territory, or State 10 this
confedeIacv, with view 10 the advantage OF any
State, or It's peculiar domestic institutions; that such
an attempt would be contrary 10 that equality OF
rights which one object Of the Constitution was 10
secure alike TO all the States and if done to favor
the saveholding States, for the purpose OF giving 70
those States preponderanee in this Government,
would in effect, be TO establish slavery IN all Inc
States.
Resolved, That to regulate commerce among the
several States is an express power granted by the
Constitution TO the Congress Of the United States.
That, in the exercise OF this power, Congress may
righfuy prohibit any article though made properly
by the laws Of State from being used in such com
merce if the same would be detrimental TO the gene
raj welfare
Resolved, That Congress have possessed the power
since the year leuo 10 prohlbit tHe importation VI
persons into any State articles OF commerce or
merchandise.
Resolved. That the political condition Of the Peo-
pie within the District of Columbia is subject to
State regulation; and that Congress, IN the exercise
Of its legislative powers the District are bound
nv The will of their constituents in the same manner
as when legisiating for the people OF the United
States generally.
Resolved, That this Government was founded and
has been sustained by the force Of public opinion,
and that tho free and full exercise Of that opinion is
absolutely necessary for its heaihful action and that
any system which will not bear the test Of public
investigation is al with its fundamental princi
ples and that any proceedings on The part OF those
who administer the Government Of the United States
or any Of the States or any citizens thereof, which
are intended or calculated TO make disrepuable the
free and full exercise Of the thoughts and opinions OF
any portion Of citizens any subject connected