The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-06

determined resistance on the other at all hazards and to
the last extremity. They declared it TO he the duty of
every man from every section OF this conleIeacy If he
loves the Union, TO oppose the passage OF such law
and IN the event OF It's enactment they warned the slave
holding States and every citizen thereof that il would
be their Duty they valued their dearest privileges
their sovereignty their independence and their rights of
property, to take firm, united, and concerted action in
that emergency, Such were the resolutions unanimously
adopted by the General Assembly of Virginia in 1917
Since that PERIOD there have been two general elections
by the people; and again. at the present session of the
legislature, these resolutions have been selemny re-
affirmed, with the addition of another. made necessary by
the progress OF events That resolution declares be
| the opinion OF the General Assembly that any claw
abolshng slavery the savetrade in the District of
Columbia would be direct attack upon the institutions
OF the southern States to be resisted at every hazard"
The adoption of these resolutions, Mr. President, were,
perhaps due from the State not only TO the rights of her
own ciuzens, but TO the Unisn which she has ever
sous ht cherish and preserve If she entertained these
opinions was her duty to warn her sister States of her
feelings and intentions IN the most solemn form known
to her proceedings
cord she approaches her contederates not only in the
spirit but in the very language of compromise, and sub
mts 10 their consideration the fearful alternatives be-
tween which she must choose if she be permitted
10 retain her position of inequality in this Union, even
by the sacrifice OF portion of her rights and interests
1t was once may be, perhaps, still within the range OF
possibility that such the part OF all the south
em States might induce pause in the progress of what
we feel to be aggression and insult, however differently
Virginia to make every effort both the Union and
the indispensable rights of her people 1t is due from
her, because State has contributed more than she did
to make and maintain The Union as il now exists In al
most every battle of the revoution-from the heights of
Abraham to the plains of Georgiafrom what was then
the remote northwest-from Kaskaskia and Vincennes TO
Jersey and the CarOnas-her blood poured; and to
the extent OF her MEANS her treasure was freely
pended.
She not only sacrificed to make, but also to maintain
the Union OF the States. To secure harmony and pro-
mote raterna feelings, she coded away her northwestern
territory, and submitted to conditions which gave for
ever the preponderance of political power the
ing So was he Of their
progress, doubtful of their disposition at all times to
do her justice Under all circumstances, and at all times,
she has manifested her attachment to the Union. She
has reared her to cherish and original
y, it was formed II has ever been household word
with us-sacred for its domestic associations and which
never passed the lips that it did not stir the heart
Sir we have been taught to believe that constitu
ton, if administered truly. and in spirit OF justice and
fraernal feeling, contained Sc urtes for human
happiness and the liberty of the citizen than any other
instrument ever devised by the art of man. But the Union
which love is confederacy OF equals The consti-
tuition which we cherish makes invdious distinctions
between States or citizens but distributes equally its
blessings and its burdens. Such is the Union, and such
is the constitution which the blood of our fathers
shed to procure; and shall their far fail in
reverence TO it 10 agree to the subversion of the
very principle which lies at the foundation of the
structures Sir, this cannot, ought not to be- The
South cannot consent TO be made the Jamaica
the Ireland of this coIederacy without effort TO pre-
vent it. Il would not be for the glory even for the in
exlremiies if they could Sir they have interest
in forcing to extremities; and believe that they
would pause in that progress which is inevitably lead
we think and feel this subject Alas sir that it
should be but have ceased to study and consider
the feelings and opinions OF each other in the true spirit
of fIaiernal affection Mr. President, know not what
effect these resolutions may produce in other Staesvery
little. fear; but they at least contain food for reflection
Union feels bound to speak out in such language as that
of these resolutions twas in March, 1873 that the mes
sengers of Virginia and Massachusetts, crossed each other
they bore mutual propositions for the establishment OF
maintenance
preservation OF their rights Such were the feelings which
passed between Virginia and Massachusetts at that day
1t in March, 1s47, that the General Assembly of
Virginia warned its sister slave holding States that
certain emergency-we all know hew near ii may be-
it would be their duty as they valued their dearest py
leges to take firm united, and concerted action Mr.
| President where we? Whittier are tending!
think know where We are but who can tell whittier
we are going have neither the will the power
draw the curtain which wells the future shall
deavor discharge the duties of to-day. and look for
consequences morrow; well knowing that there is
may" 1t is enough for me TO know that am pur
suing the path marked out for me by my State. Where
she leads will follow, wherever it may carry me-
One thing | know and gratefully acknowledge: |
know it to be her purpose to protect the rights OF her
sons by all the means in her power She has said it ;
and shall she not do it? There is true OF hers
who would not bow his head shame if he believed
that she would not make good her word to the full extent
of her ability 1t neither for individuals States to
pursue the path OF honor wheresoever may lead Some
things they will thus certainly secure They will secure
their self respect and reputation these the priceless
possessions which understand my native State to prom
Use defend at all hazards and to the last extremites
| move that these resolutions be read and printed
MARINE HOSPITAL.
Mr. DOUGLAS presented resolutions passed by the
legislature of the State of Illinois, nstructng their
and requesting their representatives to procure the
passage of an direct the Secretary OF War to select
suitable tract of land upon Rock island, in the State OF
Illinois, for the site of the necessary buildings 70,
rne hospitals with the necessary appurtenant grounds,
and directing the sale of the remainder of the lands upon
said island in small quantities at public sale, the proceeds
to be appropriated the establishment and support OF said
hospitals which ordered TO be printed and referred
to the Committee on Commerce
| Mr. BREESE. | have received a similar memorial
from the General Assembly OF Illinois, and in connection
with it, beg state that the site of the proposed marine
hospital is the property OF the government OF the United
States it having been reserved many years since for mil
ary purposes, and is known Fort Armstrong, of
the beautiful and saubrous spots the globe, and
every way adapted 10 the structure proposed.
Ga my resolution OF the last session, adopted by the SEN
ate and addressed the Secretary of War; he informed the
Senate that the site longer wanted for military pur
poses and there be no mpedmen in the way of appro
priang the buildings and land for hospital purposes
small appropriation of money only may be necessary to put
the buildings proper repair, and adapt them 10 the pur
pose which can be reimbursed out of the proceeds of the
sale of the land the island, which is OF quality,
and will produce fund amply sufficient defray all such
sir the Committee of Commerce will give their immediate
consideration to the resolution which know introduce
,soiped That the Committee on Commerce be instruct
ed inquire into the expediency of establishing marine
hospital Rock island, in the State Of Illinois, and of appro
pa,ing buildings thereon and the lands the United
States there situate for that purpose.
The resolution being considered, agreed to.