Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1847-02-25
ar. oALtloUSs sLAvERY RESOLUTIONS

On Friday last. in The Senate. Mr. Cal.
houn rose. and said he proposed 10 offer
certain resolutions, and in introducing
them. made very clear and forcible >ex.
position Of The cordition and relation Of
The slave and non slaveholding States,
concluding bis remarks. by expressing q
hope, thai vote would be taken on the
resolutions. before the three million bill
was acted upon. The resolutions are a.
follows !: n
Resolved, Tina! the territories Of the United
States belong to The several States composing
this Union, and are heiS by them as their joint
and common property.
Resolved, That Congress, as the joint aEen,
| snd representative Of the States Of The Union,
has no right to mako any law, or do any act,
whatever, that shall directly. or BY its effects,
make any discrimination between the States OF
this Union, BY which any Of them shall be de-.
priyed Of its full and equ1l right in any territo-
~ Of the United States, acquired, or TO be ac-
quired
Resolved, That The enactment OF apy IA D
which should directly, or By its effects, deprive
The citizens Of any or the States Of this Union
from emgrating with their property into any Of
the territories Of the United States will mske
such Discrimination. and would, therefore, be
violation of the constitution, and the rights
OF the States from which such citizens emigra-
ted, and IN deFogation OF that perfect equality
which belongs 10 them as members Of this u.
nioo. and would tend directly to subvert the
Union ITSELF
Resolved. That. asa Fundamental principle In
our politicaltcreed, that people 10 forming .
constitution have the unconditional right to
form and adopt the government which they
may think best calculated TO secure their liber.
~, prosperity, and happiness; and that 10 con
formity thereto, no other condition is imposed
by The federal constitution on q State in order
to be admitted into this Union, except that is
CON ,iitn'ion shall be republican and thst the
imposition Of any other by Congress would not
only be in violstien Of the constitution, but 10
direct conflict with the principles Upon which
our political system rests.
The resolutions having been read
Mr.. Calhoun moved that they be print,
ed and hoped ihete would speedily be !
vote upon them.
Mr.. Benton said be was mol going 40
permit the sei distractions 10 interfere With
the businessIof the session. There was
the bill to make Generals. Sc. !
Mr.. Calhoun said the Constitution was
an abstraction-all truths were abs.rac
tions. and when hesheard anovice rail at
distractions De was prepared for the course
which be would pursue. He had hoped
TO have 4he eo.operstion Of the Sen ator
from Missouri on these resolutions which
he had ofere 10 good faith and with Il
full conviction OF their necessity.
Mr.. Benton said be kne what an ab.
sirsction was, and be would 1oi allow the
business Of the country to be interrupted
by 6re-brand which would sci the world
on FIRE.
Nj. Calhoun said The Senator from
Missouri had misunderstood him. n the
bill 10 carry on the Ten Regiment Bill
we're ready lei il be taken up tomorrow
His resolutions could be acted apon 90
Monday. He only wished vote upon
Them before The Three Million Bill was
disposed Of.
Il