Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-03-03
Feb. 18th, 1918.
COLUMBUS, February 3rd, 1918.
+. HILLEs.

. SpiuuiJ O'Nt 4
Mr.. ENos HILLEs:
Yours of January 25th came safe to hand,
containing two petitions, one of which asked
the Legislature TO repeal all laws making dis
t~inc,ion on account of color, which | present
ed at the earliest opportunity the other call
ing upon the Legislature 10 recall our Sena-
tors and Representatives in Congress, and
declare the union of these States dissolved;
with a request that if | could not consistently
with what | deem to be my duty, present it
to the body Of which | am a member, that |
would give you my reasons for refusing so
10 do.
cannot consent 10 give c%ountenance to a
project like the one in question; either by
signing or presenting a petition 10 the Ley
~islature of Ohio, that has for lis object the
dissolution Of these States, for reason switch
will as briefly as possible proceed TO make
known to YOU.
LIST. / believe it TO be absurd in its incep-
ton, demoralizing in its tendency, and trea-
sonable in its designs.
end. Because you ask US to do that which
we have not the power to do, viz: TO recall
our Senators and Representatives in Congress.
The Representatives Of the several Congress
sional Districts, being chosen by The people
Of their respective districts, are amenable 10
them alone, and not 10 the Legislature Of the
State; we, as a Legislature, have no auihori-
ty over them in their official capacity, and
consequently no supervision Of their official
acts.
3rd. Because in my capacity as a Repre-
sentative, | AIN sworn 10 support the Consti-
tuition, not only of the U. s., but of the State
of Ohio, and the Constitution of the United
States being a solemn compact, entered into
by all the States for The security and govern
ment Of the whole-and your petition having
in direct view the abrogation of that Consti-
tuition and the multiplying of the laws made in
accordance with it'll should deem myself
guilty of treason, in "A moral point of view at
least, should | consent to present it.
] am an advocate Of the right of petition in
its broadcast sense, and will present every pc.
tition sent me, asking the Legislature to dc
that which they may of right do; or in othel
words, that which comes within their legiti.
mate sphere as Legislators.
The Constitution gives to the people the
right 10 petition for a redress of grievances
which clearly means that the people have 4
+, right to ask the Legislature to do or not to Dc
. that which they in their capacity as Legisla
tors may or may not rightfully do.
The Constitution of the United States be
ing a contract between all the States, ant
Ohio being a party to that contract, and com
ing into the Union under the general com
pact, conserving TO the terms prescribed b,
n all the rest OF the contracting parties, wheI
she was admitted as one of the States of tn
Union, cannot withdraw from that compac
without the consent of the other parties, be-
), cause the same rule observed in making
# cOh'IdCt, must NC ouSeIVeu III the SeceSslo
of it; for as it is necessary to have the asser
of all the parties to make lis terms obligator
on all, SO is it necessary 10 have the assel
of all, either to change its terms or to rescin
. it in part or in whole. Hence the coDclusio
) is forced upon us that no one Stale has tn
power to dissolve the Union without the col
SAINT of all tho nthap Ntatas
therefore do not consider it an abridg,
ment of the right of petition, or that | hav
u been dsrelict in my duty to you in refusin
d to present your petition; because you ask ii
d Legislature to do that which they have NJ
the power TO do.
n have said it is absurd in its inception;