The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-12
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
THURSDAY, April IL, 1850.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Private petitions were presented by Messrs.
Ha MLIs, BRIeHT, DAVIS, PEARcE, BELL, DouoLAs,
Downs, FooTE, DAYTON, and UPHAm.
woopwoRrH's PATENT
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, presented petition
from the State of Mississippi, demonstrating against
the further extension of Woodworth's patent.
MICHIGAN STATE RESOLUTIONS, Resembling
sTRucTIoNs TO SENATOR'S.
Mr. CASS said: II has seldom fallen To my lot
to perform more acceptable duty than that which
now devolves upon me- present TO the Senate the
resolutions of the Legislature OF Michigan, rescnd
ing the instructions which required the Senators
from that State TO vote for the application of the
wilmot proviso to the Territories Of the United
States. This is peace-offering upon the altar Of
our common country. As such 1t was intended,
and such trust 1t will be received. In this broad
land, extending from ocean to ocean, there is no
community, old or young, whose attachment TO the
Union is stronger more enduring than that Of
the people of Michigan. They stop to count neither
its cost nor its value. Their political arithmetic
contains no such problems. They see, and feel,
and know all il has done for their fathers, and for
themselves and, with the blessing of God, they APP
preciate what il may do for their children. What
has il cost usS Neither freedom, nor our re-
ligion, intelligence, nor happiness
of tn e great elements which constitute the
pride, and power, and prosperity Of nations And
its value is written upon every page Of our pro-
gress and ought TO be inscribed in living charac-
ters upon the heart of every American. While
there are some-few, indeed, trust-who trying
battling all human calculations by doing a mightier
work than history has recorded, than IL has
entered into the heart Of man 10 conceive. There
| are members Of this body, and am among them,
who born while this great empire yet
claimed among the colonial dependencies OF Eng
| land. We contemporaries Of its struggle for
| freedom; witnesses Of the acknowledgment
Of it's independence Of the establishment Of its con
federated government, OF its progress from infancy
| TO maturity, from weakness 70 power, and Of its
| wonderful Advancement, intellectually and mate
rally in every thing that constitutes the prosperity
Of nations in their individual or in their aggregate
| capacities.
All this we have seen, and in much Of IL we have
borne a part sometimes indeed in difficult, I may
say in perilous circumstances, but always with an
abiding hope that these would be oyerruled in
mercy as they have been by the kindness Of Proyi-
| dence, and that march would still be onward;
and onward it has been, till the name Of America
IL a Of honor through the world, and the flag
Of our country, wherever IL is borne, waves proudly
in the breeze, the ensign Of people, neither suffer
ing injury with impunity, nor inhictng II without
necessity. In what other country, ancient or mod
ern, has IL been given 10 the same men TO witness
in youth the infant struggles Of national freedom
gsinst such powerful disparity, and in age 10 par
ticipatc in the public councils under circumstances
/ as proud and glorious those which surround us,
and which tell us what the Union has DONE and is
doing. and, If left untouched is destined yet to do
| For calculations have convictions for expert
ments experience; and am sure there IL not one
here whom time has set his mark, who does not
regard this confederatcd government, after the re-
gion Of God, the best hope Of his declining age
and the richest legacy he leave TO those whom
human nature clings with affection on the very
brink Of the grave.
am proud, sir, Of this testimonial Of fidelity TO
the integrity Of the Union given by the Legislature
Of Michigan ia the name Of their constituents, the
| people OF that State. The sentiment itself IL as
powerfully felt as IL il beautifully expressed and
| the proceeding IL practical commentary upon the
operation Of our institutions worthy Of all praise,
showing, ne il does, that extend in space and
| - 4
affection, to the work Of our fathers, the worlds
best hope and own.
move, sir, that the resolutions be read, and then
laid upon the table and printed
The resolutions then read follows
| JOINT RESOLUTIONS RELATING TO rHs UNION.
Whereas, The people Of this State are opposed 10
the extension Of slavery, but believe that crisis in
our national affairs has arrived which demands an
expression OF their deep, devoted, and unalterable
attachment TO the Union and their fixed determin-
alton, in a spirit Of mutual forbearance and moder
alton, 10 guard Thy all means against the dangers
at present, in the opinion Of many, threatening its
| integrity; and
| Whereas, They believe that our Senator'S in Con-
gress ought 70 be left free TO act their judgment
may dictate all questions that may arise in any
way efecting the stability and permanently Of the
federal compact-Tberefore,
Bsifrssoived by The Senate and House of Rspressnf.
affres Of e State Of Michigan, That, in the opinion
Of this Legislature, the people OF this State most
heartily approve Of the noble and patriotic stand
taken in the Senate Of the United States by those
distinguished statesmen who, representing the va
rious sections and feelings oil our common country,
have united their efforts to preserve the Union zone
and indivisible"
Ind be H. Utir resolved That, in the opinion Of
this Legislature, IL is the duty Of Senators in
Congress, and they hereby requested, 10 retain
their places In our national councils which they
have heretofore filed with such signal prudence
and distinguished ability and they hereby left
free 10 aid, IN voice and vote, in any and every
movement which their judgment may decide 10 be