New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-02-11
YTs,,yssACHUsgTTs AND SOUTH CAROLINA.

I Tie 1a;n, Committees of the Massschuse's Lesfs
-, ,,,s referred the Message OF Gov
mo- Rr;prs and the letter oil samuel hoel' anu
1o.r-,,.ot. connected with the Soutt-Caroii-
~ .eencv OF the latter gentleman, have Ieloheo'
-.soE,.es one of which specifies that Inc
I..l,r,,io. following be adopted as the act OF the
C.o,,,,oryvealt of Massachusetts,, and that copy
~ ,r,nsrnittsd to The President OF the United
states and TO all the Governors OF The States e1'
-.r,;nr South Carolina: the second. that copy OF
III, saue be transmitted to the Executive Severn
ment of the State OF South Carolina.
The Declaration which follows thu resolves IS IN
the shape Of Protest against the hostile acts OF the
State of South Carolina. The aggressive system OF
legislation pursued by South-Caroina, against all
National comfy, assumes the following principles
First. She can send an officer OH board the stnps
of other States and lInprlsen such OF the crew d
she NAV specify without alleging special crimes
Second. She can iuiilct corPo-eal punishment
upon the citizens OF Massachusetts, and to any eS-
tent who may be found second time IN The ships
of their own State touching at her ports.
THIRD She can ssii such citizen: OF Massachu.
sets into slavery for fife, though unoieAding, and
and freemen OF the latter State.
Fourth and Fifth. 1ha! she can e1pei citizens Oh
Massachusetts, or punish by fine and Imprisonment
those who enter her ieIroyfor the purpose OF seek
ing the peaceful mode OF redress Tor her citizens
which the Constitution waIran's.
In former times, the assumption OF such powers
would have been contested by an appeal 10 arms !;
but Massachusetts will take no violent means oi
redress. As fve-and-twenty years have elapsed
since the first hostile act compainedo may now
be considered the settled policy CT South Carolina
indeed subsequent legislation has been more
stringent instead of relaxing. The policy OF the
English towards our forefathers never disaniy as
sumcd sach powers as these. threats OF SCUM
Carolina in this respect, according 10 the law OF
nations are lust cause of war. When England IN
terposed for her citizens who came under the same
action, Sourh Carolina yielded. But South Caroll.
ma is consiiutionay bound 10 respect the rights OF
Massachusetts, and the latter State charges upon
her deliberate and palpable breach OF the COM
mon contract. Indeed, she will not appeal TO the
premises Massachusetts will take issue before the
world with South Carolina on her declaration that
"ee negroes and persons OF color are not citizens
of the United States within the meaning OF the
Constitution which coniers upon The citizens oil one
State TIC privileges and Ilnmuniles Oh cltiZehs OF
the several States"
The protest states the reasons for the resolutions
passed by the Massachusetts Legislature, and the
appointment of Mr.. Hoar. On review oil The
whole proceedings, Massachusetts has not put a
word on her statute book OF which she need 10 De
ashamed. The declaration concludes thus:
South Carolina which has willy and deliberately de-
feated Massachusetts of Legitimate use OF one of the pro-
visions OF the compact designed 10 yield 10 the citizens oil
the latter that protection against wrong which they have
right to demand has not voluntarily forfeited al title tc
insist upon the execution by the citizens OF Massachusetts
OF those other provisions by which she peculiarly dement's
Massachusetts her decision upon this point Hei
obligations TO the remaining States. and her duties to her
SELF forbid her risking, by any hasy STEP the hazard
still greater evils than those which she desires TO remedy
She chccrfy Acknowledges that patience under the iic
ton CT this gross and garins WRONG, is her present duty
not towards South Carolina, but towards the pacific States
But the same duty impels her IN tho most impressive form
10 record her PROTEST against the commission OF tina
wrong She will follow example OF violence that may
be set 10 her But thu assumptions, for the moment ste
cessuy made by South Carolina in this instance, shouc
be rcpcacd and other States, deluded by her example
should insist upon the execution of all the conditions OF t
Constitution advantageous 10 themselves, whilst they re-
comply with the less favorable ones, II Is scarcely
necessary for Massachusetts repeat the prediction OF the
learned juriSt of South Carolina. that retaliation will fol
low and all the other and evils that come In lis
train. The admirable form OF government which the
wit and patriotism of Man devised 10 deveiopc his
energies promote his happiness, must become the
victim Of his lawicss passions Massachusetts will do
nothing voluntarily hasten 50 dcplorsblc result, or
rather she will sacrifice much 10 avert it, But she Will do
her duty her people, whether In The less or the more
favored condition OF society She VIII never relax IN her
demand all the rights which belong 10 her rs State
and member OF the unon or In tile eScrton OF her
energies il support Of the undys principles OF
Justice and liberty men, tie base OF her social el-
nee cecn,cd in the blood of many OF its founders, they
are the pride and the honor of modern civilization.