Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1849-06-14

the Missouri Legislature makes it still more my duty
TO do These resolutions are his, copied from his.
with such exacttude of ideas. that some tranSposi-
lion of clauses and some variation OF phrase de-
ceve no one. II only betrays design To disguise.
where disguise is impossible. have read the orig
inal: here is the copy:
"REsoLuTIoNs ON THE SUBJECT SLAVERY
Resooed by General Assembly Of the STATE Missouri
That federal constitution the result Of ctHpto
misc between the conflicting interests Of the States which
formed IT, no part If be found
any delegation power Congress legisIaie the
jec Of slavery excepting special provisions having in
view the prospective abolition OF the African slave tade
made for the securing the recovery of fugitive Slaves
attempt therefore, on the part Of Conges 60 ieg<aie
the subject affect the institution of slavery the
States in the District of Columbia the territories is
the least violation OF the principles which that
instrument was founded
That the territories acquired by the blood and treasure
Of the whole nation ought to be for the
benefit Of the people Of all the States and any organization
OF the territorial governments excluding the citizens Of any
past Of the Union from removing territories with
their properly would Of power by Congress-
Inconsistent with the spirit upon which federal compact
based insulting to the sovereignty AID dignity Of the
States thus affected calculated ALLEVIATE Of the
Union from another, and tending ultimately to dsunon
g. That this General Assembly regard the conduct OF the
Northern States The subject of slavery releasing the
slave holding States fom all further adherence the basis
of fixed by the Of Congress Of March
S2O-even if such act did impose any obligation upon
TIE slave holding States and authorizes them insist upon
their rights under the constitution but for the sake Of ha
mony and for the preservation Of federal URion, they
will still sanction the app icaton of the principles OF the
Missouri Compromise 10 the recent territorial acquisitions
by such concession future aggresons upon the equal rights
of the States be arrested and the Split Of ansaveTy
fanatcism be extingushed.
The right prohibit slavery any territory, belongs
exclusively the people thereof and only be exercised
by them IN forming their constitution for State
ment in heir sovereign capacity independent State
g. That in the event of the passage Of any act Of Con-
gress conflicting with the principles heien expressed Mis-
souri, will be found in hearty co-operst with the
holding States in such may be deemed necessary
for mutual protection against the of north
g. That our Senators in Congress be instructed aud our
representatives be requested TO act in conformity 10 the FORE
going iesolutions."
The Calhoun resolutions were entitled The rights
of Congress the territories of the Union in Tea
ton TO slavery, and introduced into the Senate
February, IS47. Those of the Missouri Legislature
twere entitled Resolutions in relation to slavery"
and were introduced December, IS45-the object of
both the same to deny the right of Congress to pre-
vent, prohibit slavery in territories, and to de-
nounce dissolution of the Union if it did. One was
parent to the other, and presume no man will deny
it. And here make the exception which truth and
Justice requires from me. have no idea that the
mass Of the members who voted for the resolutions
in the last General Assembly, had any idea that they
were Calhouns, considered the dissolution of the
Union, which they announced, as thing in actual
contemplation. But they not the less injurious
on that account. They the act of the General
Assembly and stand for the Of the State and bind
To the of Dir. Calhoun, and encourage him
than any event that has taken place. But they are
not the of the State, the sense of II
the members who voted for Them The true sense of
the State, and, doubt not. of large majority of the
members of the last Legislature, faithfully ex-
pressed in the resolves and instructions of the prev
Gus Legislature, which had received and obeyed
not only in the letter, but in the spirit These are
they:
" Joint Resolution in relation to the Missouri Compromise
Act of 1920.
Resolved, That the peace permanency welfare of
our national Un0n depend upon strict adherence the
spirit of Sh section of Congress
the United States entitled An to authorize the people
OF Missouri territory to form Constitution and State Gov
enment for the admission of such State the Union
equal footing with the original States and 10 prohibit
Slavery in certain Territories approved March g. 1890
Resolved That in the Congress of the Uni
ted States hereby instructed and Representatives
requested in accordance with the provisions The
spirit Of The said eighth section Of the said act all The
questions which may before them in relation to the
organization Of territories States Of
tory belonging to The United States or which hereafter
may be acquired either by purchase, by treaty. by
quest"
The resolves passed the General Assembly of Mis-
Isouri the 18th day of February, 1S47-ust four
days before Calhoun brought into the Senate of the
United States his fire-brand resolutions, which de-
nounced upon the spot-which have been adopted by
the Missouri Legislature at the last session. and from
which now appeal to the State-tbe whole State.
How different - how rreconcilably hostile to each
oiher-ihe two sets of resolutions One makes the
peace, permanency, and welfare of national
Union dependent upon strict adherence 10 the spirit
cation to terriory-hat is to say, upon the
stiiutional right, and the equitable exercise of that
right TO egislate upon slavery in the Territory
and to admit 1t in part, and prevent 1t in part the
other makes the dissolution of the Union dependent
upon the same platform of fact and princ pe-deny-
ing the right of Congress permit prohibit slave
~ in a notwithstanding IFS prohibition to be a
violation of the Constitution of the United States
an insult to the sovereignty of the Sates-and tend
ing to the dissolution of the UEion. Sad contradc-
ton this when the same remedy is both to cure ond
Ito kill. and although the political doctors may pre-
scribe both, yet surely, the political patient who has
taken one, has right to talk little with the doctors
before he swallows the other.
/ Yes, citizens Congress has the power to iegslr tie
upon slavery in territories, and to admit prohibit
its existence. In fact to compromise it, She has the
constitutional power. bnt hereafter exercise
it. The new dogma of no power in Congress TO le-
gisate on the subject, has killed all compromise
/ Those who deny the power cannot vote fer it: it
= would b. breach OF their OATH Those who want
no slavery in the Territories will not vote for
compromise and thus extremes meet combine
against the midde-and defeat all compromise. The
resolutions of Mr.. Calhoun have done this and to
talk about compromise now, is propose call Me-
thusaleh from his tomb The effect, If not the de-
sign, of his dogma, was to kill compromise
and dead il is. The constitution will not permit him
and his followers TO vote tor any compromise line.
Opposition TO the extension of slavery will not permit
northern men to do it and thus there is no chance
for any line. Principle cannot be compromised. The
Missouri compromise was not of a principle, but of
interests after the principle established. The
first question put by Mr. Monroe his Cabinet, was,
to the constitutional power of Congress the
subject. That being established in the affirmative,
the application of the principle matter of detail
and of expectancy
/ have shown that Mr.. Calhoun supported the abo-
lon of slavery in the territory of Louisiana; have
now to show that he did the same thing in State