Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-01-11
Thirty-first Congress.
FIRST SESSION.

wv W. '''J NeSleTuHNJ mo DuslUcSS VI
consequence has yet Neen done. On Thursday,
in the Senate, Mr.. Atcm'on presented the Re-
solutions of the Legislature &c Missouriinstruct-
ing their Senators to oppose he adoption of
the principle of the Wilmot Proyiso. Mr.. Ben.
ton made forcbe speech, from which we ex
tract as follows -
Mr. Benton said, this is the proper time for
me to say what | believe to be the fact that
these Resolutions do not represent the scrti-
ments Of the people Of NJ ssouri. They are
law.abidng and union.loying people, and
have n, idea Of entering into a combination to
resist or ntimidate the legislation Of Congress. |
/ The General Assembly has mistaken the sent- !
ments of the State III adopting these Rcsou- !
tons and many members who voted for Them,
and the Governor who signed them, has since
disavowrd aud repudiated them. | do not in
tend to discuss these Resolutions at this time.
That discussion is no part Of my present object.
| speak of the pledge which they contain, and
call it a mistake, and say that whatever may
be the wishes or opinions OF the people OF Mis-
sour, on the subject Of extension Of Slavery to
the Territories, they have no idea Of resisting
any act Of Congress on the subject They
abide the law when it comes, be it what it may,
subject to the decision of the ballot box and the
Judiciary.
| concur with the people of Missouri in this
view of their duty and believe i; to be the only
course consistent with order and the intention
of our Constitution and the only one which
can save this Union from the fate of all the
ConIedcracies that have successfully appeared
and disappeared, in the history Of nations. An
archy among the members, and not tyranny at
their head, had been the rock on which all
, such Confederacies had split. The authors of
our present form OF Government knew the
danger of this rock they endeavored to provide
against it. They formed Union, not a League,
a Federal Legislature to act on persons, not
: upon States aud they provided practical RENE
dies for all the questions which could arise be-
tween the people and the Government. They
provided Federal Judiciary to execute the Fee
deral Laws when found to be constitutional,
and popular elections to repeal them, when
= found to be bad
4 Mr.. Benton said, it was to get rid of the evils
of the Old Confederation, that the present Union
was formed; and, having formed it, its foun-
: ders undertook TO make it perpetual and, for
f that purpose, had recourse TO all the sanctions
held sacred among men-commands prohibi-
tons and oaths. The States were forbid to
form compacts or agreements with each other.
The Constitution, and the laws made in pur-
suance of it, are declared to be the supreme
: aw Of the land and all authorities, state and
. federal, Legislative, executive, and Judicial,
e were sworn to support it. The resolutions
, which have been read contradict all this, and
,rs ~ ',n,t ~ ,Ln,, ',i'nnl. ,pa san,i,,'',rr. of
u the people of Missouri. when they aiop,ed
Il them
inns Is all shan say AT present. lmake no
$ objection to the reception, or printing, of these
h resolutions. The only intention at present. Is,
- t. make and declare the two points first, that
I the General Assembly mistooh the sentiment of
- the people OF Missouri ~ adopting these rc'o'
Il u,'""' 'G,.u'! '''' ''''! '''''''o" ''o'' y"
Mr. Atcbi.fu said, y, no objection had been
= IN tide to the printing ul the resolution, he had
= but one word TO say winch was merely 70 ex
;, tt;' ,''G 't"' ." ''''' ~ ''',
m,uLinI Thar cvnry santin,, M IN mi. 70. In.
= ton viii be sustained by them
y lnJ,iod was made that when the SENATE
JT u''i i,, " 1' ~ ''lo''i'y "oH. a..
" ale would meet tomorrow, for the purpose Of