Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-04
Twenty-1ifth COngress---2d sess.
In SENATE.

'tu WV W.
Mr.. Morris offered the following resolutions, which
were laid OIL the table, and ordered 10 be printed:
RcSolued, That ia the formation of the Federal Con-
s,ilulion, The States acted in their sovereign capacity
out the adoption of the same was, by the people of the
several States, by their agents specially elected for that
purpose, 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 q view 10
form q more perfect union, establish Justice, ensure do
mes,ic tranquility, provide for the common defence, pro.
mote the general welfare, and secure the blessings Of il
berry 10 themselves and their posterity and that the
means of attaining all these important objects are fully
provided for in The grants OF powers contained IN Tue
Constitution itself.
Resoiped, That the people of The several States in de-
lega,ing a portion OF their power to the Federal Govern
menl. which they had formerly exercised by their own
Legislatures, severally retained the exclusive and sole
right over their domestic institutions, which they had
not, by the Constitution, granted 10 the Federal Govern
lneni, and they reserved 10 individuals, and to the States
in their sovereign character, the full liberty Of speech
and the press, to discuss the domestic institutions OF any
of the States, whether political, moral, or religious; and
that it would be the exercise of unauthorized power on
the part Of this Government, or that Of any OF the SUITES,
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 10
punish individuals for the abuse Of this liberty within
their own jurisdiciion; and whenever one State shall at
tempt 10 make criminal acts done by citizens in another
State, which are lawful in the State where done, the ne.
cessary consequence would be TO weaken the bands OF
our Union.
ENUtCCb 1luk kAto SoNSlh btSh ~ eSSPSN - 49,
people Of the several States Of this Union as a comTon
agent, 70 carry into effect the powers which they had
delegated by the Constitution; and in ful6lment OF this
high and sacred trust, this Government is bound SO to
exercise lis function as not 70 interfere with The reserved
rights Of the States over their own domestic institutions;
and i is the duty Of This Government 10 refrain from
any attempt, however remote, 10 operate on the liberty
of speecl and the press, us secured to The citizens ofeuch
State by the Constitution and laws thereof. That the u.
States are bound to secure 10 each State a republican
form Of Government, and 10 protect each OF them against
invasion OF domestic violence, and for no, other purpose
can Congress interfere with the internal police OF a State.
Resolred, That domestic slavery, as it exists IN the
Southern and Western States, is q moral and political
evil, and tina. its existence, at the time Of the adoption
of the Constitution, is not recognized by that instrument
as an essential element in the exercise of its power over
the several States, and no change Of feeling Cd 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 q
view 10 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 a violation Of the
most solemn obligations, both political, moral aud reli.
gious.
Resolred, That it 10 he indisputable right of any
State, or any citizen there, as we'll as an Indispensable
duty, to endeavor, by all legal and constitutional means,
20 sbolish whatever is immoral and sinful, and that Con-
eress aloue possess the power to abolish slavery and the
slave trade in this District or any Of the Territories OF
the s.; and the right Of petition, of speech, and Of
the press, TO accomplish this object is not 10 be CUES.
toned, and that an act of Congress on this subject would
be within its constitutional powers.
RESOLVED, That The Union of these States rests upon
the yirtus and intelligence OF the Citizens in supporting