Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-06-30

SFeSS iIoiu tileti titiiC ~ Tue present, ana
the question whether Congress has, by its
subsequent acts, violated this provision
appeal to it now, in order to say that
1T CANNOT BE ANNULLED; THAT
1T is FIRM AS THE WORLD, IMMU-
TABLE AS ETERNAL JUSTICE; and
call upon every member Of this House TO
defend it with his voice and his vote, and
to SUSTAIN THE PLIGHTED FAITH
OF THIS NATlON-of the thirteen ORR
ginal States by which the compact was
made.
In the year 1905, the Territory of Mich
imam was formed by law, and the south
crn line Of the Territory is Identical with
these words Of the provision: "an east and
west line drawn through the southerly bend
or extreme of Lake Michigan" And what
do these twenty-nine members ask Con-
gress TO do? They call upon you to repeal
this provision to declare that it is not bind
ing: to say that this shall not be the line,
and to establish different one. And why?
Because it suits their convenience, and the
convenience of their States, that the line
should be altered. AS regards the State of
Ohio, she tells you that an alteration has
been made, in the constitution, and that
Congress had assented to it at once; but
she asks you again TO signify your assent,
because she does not think that it has been
done with sufficient certainty, and she is
DESTROYS of having additional security by
cliciting another expression of your con-
currence. This was the original question
which was reported on by the committee
of this House, and the question was raised
simply between Ohio, with her nineteen
members, and this unfortunate Territory
of Mchigon, with her solitary delegate,
and the future State with no delegate at all.
But when the bill was to be carried
through another place, then the idea was
conjured up that it would affect the States
of Indiana and Illinois. For what reason
was this idea suggested? | know of none
unless it was to get votes in the other
branch Of the Legislature. 1t did get votes,
aud the bill from, the Senate came with two
additional sections, added to it at its last
stage in the Senate, and purporting to fix
the boundaries Of the States of Illinois and
Indiana as we'll as the northern boundary
Of the State Of Ohio. In that State the
bill was referred to a select committee Of
of this House, and it was the pleasure Of
the Speaker, in the exercise Of his regular
authority, TO place me upon that committee,
an assignment altogether unexpected 10 me,
but which made it my duty, however faith
full might be its execution, to examine the
question minutely, critically in all its bear
ings, and not as mere question of con-
venience as to what should be the bounda-
~ line Of Ohio, Indiana or Ilinois-to suit
whose convenience would do every thing
but sacrifice justice-every thing but COM
promise the rights, the interests; and ho-
nor, Of other parts Of this Union. Sir,
did examine it, and now ask the members
of this House to look fairly into the ques-
ton, and they will find the real question to
be that which have stated. 1t is true that
The boundary Of Indiana, and Illinois has
been formed by Congress, wthom knoac-
ing, us l beliere, achat they acre doing, or
what principles were involved; and if this
question does not come 10 the arbtrament
of the sword, rs has been intimated by the
member from Illinois, who says that the
airy line to be touched-al | ask, and all
that the people of the two Territories ask,
Is, that you will not touch the line at all
that Congress will no more commit herself
There is no necessity for it. If they have
committed an error in establishing new
boundary, drawn from q Territory which
has no one 10 represent its interests, let
them be satisfied with the evil they have
done, and not repeat it now, when they
know what is involved in the question.
The question as between the Territory
of Wisconsin (f such is to be established
and the States of Indiana and Illinois, is a
question Of possibility, which may come up
at a future time. The true Question now
is between Michigan and Ohio; and Ohio
asks you TO destroy this compact, which
has been declared TO be unalterable, in or
der TO have your decision that she is enti-
tied to another boundary.
will say no more my sole object was
to call the attention of that portion of the
House achich is not interested personally in
the decision, to the true nature of the
question which they have 10 determine. |
will state furthermore, that there is do
cument No. 354, 4th vol. OF the proceed
ings of the last session of Congress- J in
which may be found the whole subject be-
fore the House, together with the argu-
ments, ably made, by the gentlemen from
Ohio on the one side, and the delegate Of
Michigan Territory on the other. There
will also be found The remonstrance of the
Governor of Michigan, claiming this right,
and showing the title of that Territory in
manner so convicting, that, if the members
will read ii and the other documents to