Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-12-11

1t is everywhere exercised bV independent
States, and there is nothing intiie Consti
tuition of the United States which forbids
10 South Carollua The right or relieves this
Legislature from the duty, Of providing
for he public safety.
Massachusetts has seen fit to contest
this right, and has sent an agent 10 reside
in the midst of us, whose avowed objecl is
to defeat a police regulation essential 10
our peace This agent comes here, not
as a citizen of the United States but us the
emlssary of Foreign Government. hos
lille to our domestic Institutions, and with
the sole purpose Of subverlng our internal
police.
We should be insensble 10 every dictate
of prudence, if we consented to The resi-
,lence. of such missionary. or shut our
eyes 10 he consequences ofhis inlerler.
ence with our domestic concers
The Union of States was formed for The
purpose, among Other things, of eGsurins
domestic tranquility, and providing for the
common defence and in consideration
thereof, this Slate yielded the right 10
keep troops or ships of war, in time OF
peace, wilhoutiiie consent Of Congress ;
but while thus cpnsenting TO be disarmed,
she has. in no parl Of the constitutional
compact surrendered her righl of finternal
government and police and, on the con-
lrary thereof, has expressly reserved all
powers not delegated 10 the United States,
nor prohibited by it 10 The States.
The Stale of Massachusetts denomi
mates as citizens. ,hnsc persnns for whose
protection her tender solicitude has devi-
sed this extraordinary mission. Yet if il
were admitted that they are citizens OF
that State, your Committee cannot sup
pose hal she will challenge for them
greater rights, immunlies and privileges.
within our territories, than are cnjoyed by
persons OF The same class in South Carroll
na.
But vonr Commiuee deny that they are
citizens, within The meaning Of the Con-
stitulinn nor did Massachusetts herself
treat as citizens, persons of this class resi-
ding within her limits, either al the adop
lion ofIh Constitution, or since but, on
the contrary. they were subjected TO vari
Gus disabilities. from which her other IN
habitan,s were exempt.
Your commitlee cannot but regard This
extraordinary movement as part of de-
iberare and concerted scheme TO suhverl
the domestic institutions of the Southern
States, in plain violation of The terms of
The national compact, and of the good faith
which ough, 10 subsisl between the parties
thereto. and TO which they stand solemnly
pledged.
Your CommirIce recommend The adop.
lion of the following Resolutions
Resolued, That The right to exclude
from their territories, sediiious persons
or others whose presence may be DANCE
rous 10 their peace, is essential 10 every
independent State.
Resolrod, That free negroes aud per-
sons ofcolor are moi citizens of the United
States. within the meaning of The Consti.
tuition, which confers upon the citizens of
one Stale the privileges and ilnmuuilies
of citizens in the several States.
RESOLVED, Thatlhe emissarv senI by the
Stale of Massachusetts TO he Slate Of
South Carolina, with the avowed purpose
nf interfering with her institutions, and
disturbing her peace, is TO he regardo.iin in,
the character he has assumed, and 10 be
treated accordingly.
Resolued. That bis Excellency The Gov
ernnr be requested 10 cxpel from our terri
tory the said agent, after due notice 10
depart; and that the Legislature will
sustain the Executive authority in any
measures it may adopt for the purpose
aforesaid.
This question was then put, and it passed
in the affirmative III, Nays, |.