Columbus Democrat., 1849-10-13

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" cfthe StAies BY exercising doubtful powers.
We maintain that the system Of slavery vas
recognized by the conslisuiOn-slases were y.
cognized as property, the full enjoyment OF whith
was guarded and protected; guaranteed By 1ha'
compact; tha, Congress has no power over such
properly the rigkt Of property proceeded the
conslitution-itis co-evalwith the history ofmani
il exists BY paramount law OF nature; il is the
subject Of control by Stale sovereignty only
This Union never would have been formed with
out the full aud entire recognition Of savery,and
property in slaves, and the guaranty to the ow
ner which is contained in the constitutions.
We assert that the territories acquired hy the
late war with Mexico, are The common property
ofthe United States; that the people Of the States
have right 10 move to it, and enjoy il; to take
with them their property their religion and thSe
liberty. Congress did not create property ~
slaves, nor can Il say they shall cease TO be prop.
erty. To abolish slavery in the territories, is to
diminish their value, aud limit their usefulness
in the States. 1tis appropriating the whole Of
the territory TO the use of one portion Of the peo
pie of TIL. United States, to the exclusion Of an.
othef. The power Of Congress TO egisla,e for
the territories is power 10 protect the citizen
and his property, not to declare what is property;
Therefore
lst. Resolved, That we continue 10 entertain
devoted aud cherished attachment to the Union,
but we desire TO have il as il was formed, and
not as an engine Of oppression.
O. That the institution OF slavery in The south.
ern States is left, by the constitution, exclusives
II under the control of the Safes in which it ex-
lists, as part Of their domestic policy, which
they, aud they only, have the right to regulate
abolish or pcrpetuate, as they may severay iedge
expedient and that all attempts, on the part Of
Congress, or others, to interfere with this sub.
lect, either directly or indirectly, are in violation
of the Constitution, dangerous 10 the rights and
safety ofthe South, and ought to be promptly re.
sisted.
3. That Congress has no power TO pass any
law aboshing slavery in the District Of Coum.
bia, or to prohibit the slave trads between the
several States, or TO prohibittho introduction Of
slavery into the territories Of the United States !;
and that the passage by Congress Of any such
lw would no, only be dangerous violation Of
the constitution, but would afford evidence Of
fixed and deliberate design, on the part Of That
body, 10 interfere with the institution Of slavery
in the States.
( 4. That we would regard the passage, BY
! Congress, ,oflhe "Wilmot Proyiso, (Which would
in effect deprive the citizens Of the slaye.hod.
ing States Of an equal participation IL the terri
tories acquired equally by sheir blood andtieas-
ure. as an unjust and insulting discrimination
degradation, submit; and 10 which this ConNac-
ton, representing the feelings and opinions Of
the people Of Mississippi, soemnly declare they
will not submit.
5. That the passage OF the Wilmot Proviso,
or of any law abolishiug slavery in the District
Of Columbia, by the Congress Of The United
States, would, Of ITSELF be such breach Of the
federal compact as, in that event, will make It
the duty, as il IS The right Of the slave holding
States, 10 take care of their own safety, and to
treat the non.slaye. holding States as enemies to
the slave.holdng Stltes and their domestic in.
stitutions.
6. That the legislature Is hereby requested 70
pass such laws as may, in their opinion, be best
calculated 10 encourage the emigration Of citi-
zens Of the slave.hoding States, with slaves to
the new territories Of the United States.
Il That, ii view Of the frequent and increas'
ing evidence of the determination Of the people
Of the non.slayeholding States, to disregard the
| guarantees Of tie constitution, and 70 agitate
The subject of slavery, both in and out Of Con.
gress, ayowedly for the purpose Of eiTecting its
abolition in the States; and, also in view ofthe
facts set forth in the late address Of the South-
ern Members Of Congress- this Convention pro.
claims the deliberate conviction that the time
has arrived when The Southern States shonsd
| take counsel together for their common safety;
and that convention Of the slaveholding States
should be held at Nashville, Tenn on the LIST
| MONDAY In JUNE next, 10 devise and adopt
some mode Of resistance TO these aggressions F;
and that this Convention do appoint Twelve dele
I gates and twelve aternales-- being double the
1 number of our Senators and Representatives in
Congress--io attend such convention and that
ihe other slayehoding States be invited 10 APP
point delegates agreeably 70 the same ratio ot
representation.
8. That in the language Of an eminent north.
ern writer and patriot--aihe rights Of The South
in African service, exist not only under but oUer
the Constitution. They existed before the govern
meDt was formed The Constitution was rather
\ sanctioned BY them than they by the Constitu,
ttDN I1hu Ut tudb lIialFHifDt autnitttu VIZ HVN
4 ereignty Of those rights, il never would have
4 been Itself admitted BY The South. Il bowed IN
difference 10 rights older n their date. strongeI
in their claims and hoier in their nature, than
any other which the Constitution can boasI.
Those rights may not be changed--eycn by q
change Of the Constitution. Theyare out Of the
reach Of the nation. as nation. The confeder.
acy may dissolve and the Constitution pass away
but those rights win remain unshaken-will ex.
list while the South exist--ond when they fall
the South will perish with them.
Q. That 10 procure unity and promptness 3
h action inthis State, this Convention recommend.
thai Central OF State Association be formed a
the Capitol, and affiliated county associations
within the several counties Of the State.
4 TO- That we recommend 10 the legislature q
this State, that At its next session, law be enac
y fed. making ittke duty oi tho governor cf The
/ State. BY proclamation. to call a general conyen
u "a II = = r - y.