The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-09
WEDNESDAY, MAY ), 1850.


HENAVEs
Mr., DAVIS q Mississippi presented a report Of =
committee on federal and Stale relations, accompanied by
resolutions adopted by the legislature Of the State of Mis-
sisspp on the subject of slavery and the questions in
controversy between the northern and southern portions
OF the confedeacy growing out OF that institution which
were read, and ordered to lie on the table,
Before presenting the above resolutions.
na M sa u ~ ~ peSs % as epo, or
the subject which disiracis and divides the people
OF the union and which threatens, unless checked in its
Of human liberty as secured and advanced BY the con.
sution OF the United destructive
10 raerna feeling between the different sections OF the
finally TO terminate in the wreck OF this
republics the last best hope Of free government Of hu
man and social progress and happiness.
IN presenting these resolutions 70 the Senate, wish
briefly to read from the proceedings of the popular
ings which preceded and probabIy originated tiisess
Iation, both because they Illustrate the meaning and in
tent Of these resolutions, and because they have been
either greatly misunderstood grossly msrepresented
The people OF Mississippi having seen, in public meet
ngs, IN conventions, and in legislative resolutions, what
they deemed 70 be an assault upon their constitutional
rights, have looked for protection against these hostile
proceedings TO the Congress Of the United States.
When, crisis approached. i il had not arrived
.cussion, without any action upon the subject. they
as became treemen and the OF freemen took the
case into their own hands. A primary meeting,
the seat Of governmen, in Mississippi on the 7th Of
May That meeting called upon the different counties to
hold assemblages within their limits, and to elect dele
to take into consideration the which should be
adopted to avert the hazard which they felt impending
over them: This primary meeting and that State
and accused Of having desired disturb the fraternity OF
the nation II not to dissolve the bonds which hold il to-
gether complete answerto all such charges to be found
in the proceedings heDselves and propose to read
the Senate few brief extracts from the journal Of that
primary meeting, and from the report and address OF the
These extracts. and the remarks with which propose
accompany them, shall be brief the will allow.
When the meeting assembled was organized with all
the due forms of deliberative body and committee
appointed prepare an address and to report il the
meeting The address thus reported by them reads:
The committee whom referred the subject OF con-
uovesy between the northern and southern of the
Union have had the same under consde ration and beg
report the following address the citizens
o. Mississippi together with the accompanying Tesoiu-
The subject approached by them. i, should be by
a common place opic-not question of
expedancy OF secondary consideration but
citizens independent States, and which
are TO us by the Of the United States
We approach the subject, not in anger, but in
We ven-rae the Unionwe yenera,e the memory of the
one people; and we would hold out example to
their the recollection Of the spirit Of
noosm. which goserned them In their great work.
We have met, not only ia defence Of our individual
rights but in defence Of country; and we
would iondy hope ths our timely warning may save our
but lr action when the occasion be forced
upon t.a.M
primary meeting Ia such terms they called upon the
counties TO deliberate the state OF the country, and,
found advisable by them to appoint delegates TO meet
which they were threatened State convention. formed
OF delegates appointed from the different countless after
full time, and notice, and discussion in primary assem-
blies met The committee of that State convention, ap-
pointed report upon the subjects for the consideration
oi which they assembled, made the report from which
read:
We the delegates 70 conve ntion ca led by the people
Of the State Of Mississippi, deliberate the
the unounded petenson that Congress has
10 egissie subecto domestic slavery pro-
hibi the Territories OF the
United States, have duly considered the important subject
sSpIs.siss q 'Ss dc voice q ais.appi n'
g
In this unfortunate controversy are bu,
uves-the 10 submission, c other resistance To the
cannof viii not conseni; the other,
lnc'ani 70 adopt
We have no, met 10 discuss the question Of power or
out o Congress, 6y and by people We
have reasoned and demonstrated in terms of conciation
70 be virtue We have warned them of the consequences
perseverance, They have disregs sred remonsran
emn eo,npromlsss In which We yielded TOO much They
have refused 70 submit judicial prefsnng
arber ard We soo must decide for ourselves That de
cislon made. We take stand the plain prncp pes
effort
We that Congress has power the subject OF
slavery, within the States, IN the Terrorics that hese
saes by revelation. by the Declaration OF lodepend
ence and by the treaty of peace became separate and In
dependent soyeeignties with all the politoal power oil
separate and distinct nations thai they still apt
far they may expressly delegated part OF their
power 20 ihe general government
We maintain that the system OF slavery was recognised
by the constituonslaves recognised property,
fnil enjoyment OF which guarded and protecod-
guaranteed BY that compact that Congress has
The powero OF Congress egsaie for the Territories /,
ths citizen aud his property not declare
what 10 property.
Then, sir, In full answer 10 thoee who have charged
this convention with any purpose OF disunion, the hrs
resolution passed by that convention was as follows
isL Resofced That we continue entertain devoted
and cherished attachment the Union, but desire
have Il u formcd and not as engine OF opPres
sion.
This convention appointed committee to prepare an
address TO the people OF mississippi; and from that nd.
dress will read a. briefly az have from the report:
The Union must and win be preserved. The slave
States ia resisting such dangerous and destructive usurpa.
ons of federal defending the const-
inon and Union. Ineir position 10 wholly deiensivede-
fensve OF relations and their private rights
properly defensive Of their laws, upon which these do
inesc relations and rights Of property are lonnded dc-
iensive OF the constitution and Union defensive OF law,
order and good government the right OF the people 10
govern themselves by governments and laws OF their own
making throughout the world. IL sa cause which cannot
iail before The social philosophy,
Beside and beyond popular convention OF the southern
States, with the view and the hope OF arresng
o. aggesson and ~ not practicable then 70 concentrate
tion Of Mississippi suggested the possible ultimate re-
SORT the call by the legislatures Of the asssed States Of