Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-01-25
SPECTATOR.
%. STAUNTON-
THURSDAY, JAN. 25, 1888.
Mr.. CALHoUN's RESOLUTIONS.

Mr.. Calhoun as they have passed the
Senate. The four first are Mr.. Cal,
houn's considerably modified-and the
fifth substitute moved by Mr.. Clay,
which MIR. Calhoun himself voted for
The sixth resolution of MIR. Calhoun's
series was laid on the table, OIL the mo-
tion of Mr.. Preston, as prematurely in.
yolving discussion of the Texas aues>
tion.
/. Resolved. That in the adoption of
the federal constitution, the States adop-
ting the same, acted severally, as free,
independent aud sovereign States; and
that each for itself, by its own voluntary
assent, entered the Union with the
view to its increased security against all
dangers, domestic as well as foreign, and
the more perfect and secure enjoyment
otits advantages, natural, political and
social.
III. Resolved, That in delegeting a
portion OF their powers to be exercised
by the federal government, the States
retained, severally. the exclusive and
sole right over their own domestic in
situations and police to the full extent
to which those powers were not .hus
delegated, and are alone responsible for
them; and that any intermedding of apy
one or more States, or combination of
their citizens. with the domestic ins,itu-
tons and police of the others, on any
ground. political, moral or religious, or
under any pretext whatever, with a
view to their alteration or subyersion
IS not warranted by the constitution,
tending to endaDger the domestic peace
and tranquility of the States interfered
with; subversive of the objects for which
the constitution was formed, and bv
necessary consequence, tending to weak
en- and destroy the Union itself.
III. Resolved, That this government
. was Instituted and adopted by the several
States of this Union as common agent
IN order 10 carry into effect the powers
which they had delegatedb by the constitu
ton for their mutual security and prosper
ity; and that in fuflmentof this high and
sacred trust, this government is bound
SO to exercise its powers, as not TO in
tertere with the stability and security
OF the domestic institutions of the States
that compose this Union; and that il is
the solemn duty of the government to
resist, to the extent of its constitutional
power, all attempts by one portion OF
the Union TO use it as an instrument to
attack the domestic institutions ofaBoth-
er, or to weaken or destroy such ins,itu-
tons.
Nv. Resolved, That domestic slave
ry, as 1t exists in the Southern and /,
Western States of this Union. composes
an important part OF their domestic in
stitutions inherited from their ancestors,
and existing at the adoption Of the con-
stitution, by which it is recognized as
constituting an important element in
the apPortionment of powers among the
States, and that no change of opinion,
or feeling, on the part ofthe other States
OF the Union in relation to it, can iusti-
fy them or their citizens in open and sys-
tematic attacks thereon, with the view
to its overthrow; and that all such az
tacks are in manifest violation Of the /.
mutual and solemn pledge to protect and
defend each other, given by the States
respectively, on entering into the con-
stitutlonal compact which formed the
Union, and as such a manifest breach
of faith and avioiation of the most sol>
emn obligations.
V. Resolved, That the interference
by the citizens ofany of the states with
the view to the abolition of slavery in
this District, is endangering the rights
and security of the people Of this Dis
trict, and that any act or measure of
Congress designed to abolish slavery in
this District, would be violation of
the faith implied in the cessions by the
states of Virginia and Maryland, jus,
cause OF alarm to the people of the slave
holding states, and have a direct and
inevitable tendency TO disturb and en-
danger the Union.
And resolved, That any attempt Of
Congress to abolish slavery in any ter
risory Of the United States in which it !
exists would create serious alarm, and !
just apprehension, in the states sustain. |
ing that domestic institution, would be |
violation Of good faith towards the in
babitants Of any such territory who
have been permitted to settle with, and
hold slaves therein, because the people |
of any such territory have not asked for
the abolition of slavery therein and be-
cause when any such territory shall be
into the Union as state, the
people thereof will be entitled to decide
that question evclusivelv for thsnseIvee