Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-01-04
UNITED STATES SENATE
WEDNESDAY,, DEC. 81.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 81.
Mr.. Calhoun presented the following
resolutions:
Resolred, That in the adoption Of the
Federal Constitution, the States adop-
ting the same acted severalIy, as free,
independent, and sovereign States; and
that each for itself by its own voluntary
assent. entered the Union " it'll the view
to ITS increased security against all dan
gers, domestic as we'll as foteian, and
the more perfect aud secure enjoyment
of its advantages. natural, political and
| social.
Resolred, That in delegating portion
OF their powers to be exercised by the
Federal Government, the States retained
severally, the exclusive and sole right
over their own domestic institutions aud
Police. and are alone responsible for
them, and that any Interme ddling Of any
one or more States, or a combination Of
their citizens. with the domestic institu-
tons and police of The others, on any
ground, or under any pretext whatever,
political, moral, or religious, with view
10 their alteration, or subversion, is an
assumption of superiority not warrented
oy the Constitution Insulting to the
States interfered with, tending to endan-
ger their domestic peace and tranquility,
snbve,sive of the objects for which the
Constitution was formed, and, by neces-
sary consequence, tending to weaken
and destroy the Union itself.
ReSoiucd, That this Government was in
stiiuted and adopted by the several States of
'his Union, as common agent, in order 10
carry INTO effect the powers " hich they had
delegated by the Constitution for their mu-
lnal security and prosperity and that, in
iuihlment of this high end sacred trust, this
Government IS bound so TO exercise its pow :
ers as 10 give, as far as may be practicable
increased stability ADD security 10 the do
mestlc institutions Of the States that COMPOSE
the Union; and that il is the solemn duty
OIL The Government TO resist all ATTEMPTS by
one portion of the Union 10 use il as an in
sti ument TO attack the domestic institutions
OF another, or to weaken o. destroy such in
stitutions, instead OF strengthening and up-
holding them, as il is in duty bound to do.
ResOtued, That domestic sia very, as il ex-
| ISIS IN the Southern and Western States OF
lhis Union, composes an important part OF
'helr domestic Institutions. inherited from
| lheir ancestors, and existing al the adoption
OF The Constitution, by which il is recognis-
| ell as constituting an essential element in the
distribution OF lts powers among the States
| and that no change of opinion, or feeling, on
the part OF the other States of the Union in
relation to 1t, Gao justify them or their cili-
zens IN open and systematic attacks thereon
with The view TO It's overthrow and that all
| such attacks are in manifest violation OF the
! mutual and solemn pledge TO protect and de
| lend each other, given by the States, respec.
| lively, on entering into the Constitutional
compact, which formed The Union, and as
such Is manifest breach OF faith, and vio-
| lation OF The most solemn obligations, moral
and religious
Resolued, That the intermeddling OF any
oiste or Siaies, or their citizens, to abolish
slavery IN this District, or any Of the Ter.
ritorles, on the ground, or Under the pretexl
that 1t is immoral or sinful or the passage
OF any aci or measure of Congress, with thai
view, would be direct and dangerous at.
tack on the institutions fall the slaveholdine
States.
Resolved, That the union of these State,
rests on an equality of rights and advantages
amongst IFS members; and that whatever
destroys that equality, tenus 10 destroy The
all, and more especially of this body, which
represents the States in their corporate ca.
Pacity, 10 resist all attempts 10 discriminate
between the States in extending ,be3benefil.
Of The Government 10 the several portions oil
The Union and that 10 refuse To- extend Ia
the Southern and Western States any adj
yantages which would tend to strengthen, or
increase their limits or population by the
annexation of new territory or States, on the
assumption or under The pretext that the in
| sutuiIon OF slavery, as it exists among Them
IS immoral or sinful, or otherwise obnoxious
would be contrary TO that equality Of rights
and advantages which the Constitution was
intended to secure alike To all The members
OF The Union, and would, in effact, disfran-
chse The slaveholding States, withholding
! from them The advantages, while i, subject,
ed them otbe burlhens, Of the Government
These resolutions were laid on the table
and ordered TO be printed.