The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-04
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE REsOLU-
TIONs ON SLAVERY.
(Illiroluced by NJ. SCOT, IThil'

|
| psoy,,d That The institution of slavery was full
| " discussed by the convention which formed the
constitution of the United States, and hat the rights
OF slave holders were iuy recognised py IT'S Provi
lv entered into the union OF the States coutd new
| or have been formed.
2 Resoired That, whether Congress- possesses the
power TO prohibit abridge the free
immigration Of a STAKEHOLDER with his slaves, to a
territory Of the United States Is question which
men may, and do, honestly differ in opinion.
3. Resoiped, That If Congress does possess that
power, any exercise Of il which would abridge the
right Of STAKEHOLDER 10 immigrate with his slaves
10 territory acquired by the common blood and
treasure Of the whole nation would be contrary TO
Esprit Of Cancellation and compromise under the
influence of which the Federal Government was
formed unjust TO The saveholding States; and an
abuse or power which would interrupt, II not de-
stroy, thai harmony between the States 50 necessa
ny TO the healthful action Of the Federal Govern
ment and the preservation OF our glorious Union
4. Resolved, That the fundamental principles Of
our own and all free governments are that the peo
Pile are capable Of self government: that alllegmate
power resdesin, and enanatesir rom the people; thai
governments constituted for the benefit OF the gov
erned and their trustees and agents: and,
aueniy Il would be unjust legislation, and tyran-
meal abuse OF power TO force domestic slavery upon
an unwilling people; In the case Of California and
| New Mexico Il would aggRyate the wounds inflic-
ted by war and conquest, md SOW the seeds OF dsa
| lection and revolt.
s, Resoiped That the question of slavery In Cali
lorna ana. New MtStcO ID lHtTtiy III It's
nature, and no matter how decided by Congress,
can never produce any practical effect that those
territories were free when acquired, and accord
| ing 10 every reasonable probability must remain.
Congress cannot legislate slavery into practical eX
stence within their limits and II is matter Of in
difference far as It's existence there s concerned
whether Congress engrafi into their forms OF gov
ernmeni what IL known as the Wilmot Provso the
| Missouri Compromise or the Senate's resolution
| g. Resoirea That the unity Of government which
constitutes us one people is as dear to as IL
has ever been Ills Justly SO; for II Is main pillar
In the edfce Of our real independence, the support
Of tranquility at home our peace abroad of our
safety; of our postariy; OF that very liberty which
we SO highly prize.
4 Resolred, That we prize the union of these
States highly, TO fly to arms and dissolve il mp
on a difference of opinion abstract question Of
constitutional law.
| g. Resolred, That as the passage Of law by Con
| gress prohibiting the Introduction OF slaves into
| California and New Mexico contrary TO the wishes
Of the people In those territories, would be yranni-
cal abuse Of powers the passage OF such law, I'M,
der existing circumstances, icing wholly unnerassa7
~ eyento accomplish SO far as those territories
concerned, the wishes Of the most ardent abolition
ist.wonld be gratnous outrage on Southern feel
ings and manifest spirit Of hostility TO the rights
of the South secured by The Constitution, but too well
calculated TO keep alive and Increase the apprehen
sion for the safety of those rights already unhappily
excited, and ultimately ALLEVIATE the attachment Of the
Southern States to The Federal Government.
| 8. Resoired That whilst we deprecate quarrel
and still more q resort TO arms, for mere abstrac-
| lion, we stand ready 10 resist all invasiOns Of our
rights, whether by the assumption of power not
granted by the Constitution, ora tyrannous abnse Of
| granted powers.
/ 10. Resoired, That we consider any interference
by Congress within the District Of Columbia with
out the consent of its inhabitants, with the rights
Of the STAKEHOLDER, among which is the right to buy
and sell at variance with the fundamental principles
Of free governments and direct attack upon the in
situations Of the Southern States the first act of
medated war upon the rights Sc, ured by the con-
stution which ought to be met at the threshold and
resisted al every hazard.
III. Resofred, That tho Govern or OF the Com
olutons to each Of the States of this Union and al
so our Senators in Congress- and each Of the mem
bers OF the House of Representatives.