The organizer., 1850-12-07

e
hat he was instructed by the commit
Tee on resolutions to report by the
committee on Saturday, and had sub
stituted in place OF the resolution the
following: The preamble and reso
lutions were then read as follows:
We, the delegates assembled from
a portion Of the states Of this confed>
eracy make this exposition of the
causes which have brought US togeth>
er, and OF the rights which the States
we represent are entitled to under the
compact of union.
We have amongst us two races
marked by such distinctions of color,
and physical and moral qualities, as
forever forbid their living together
on terms of social and political equal
ity.
The black race have been slaves
from the earliest settlement of our
country, and our relations Of master
and slave have grown up from that
time. A change in those relations
must end in convulsion, and the en-.
tire ruin Of one or both races.
When the constitution was adopted
this relation, Of master and slaves, as
it exists was expressly recognized and
guarded in that instrument. IL was a
great and vital interest, involving
our very existence as separate peO-
pie then as well as now.
The states of this cOnfederacy ac,
ceded 10 that compact each one for
itself, and ratified il as states.
If the non 'slaveholding states. who
are parties TO the compact, disregards
ed its provisions and endanger our
peace and existence by united and de.
liberate action. we have right as
States, there being no common arbi-
ter, to secede.
The object of those who are urging
on the Federal Government in its
aggressive policy upon our domestic
institutions is, beyond all doubt, fin
ally to overthrow them, and abolish
the existing relation between master
and slave. We feel authorized to
assert this from theic own declarations
and from the history Of events in this
country for the last lew years.
To abolish slavery or the slave
trade in the District of Columba--to
regulate the sale and transfer Of slaves
between the States Ito exclude slave.
holders with their property from the
terTitories-to admit California under
the circumstances of the case we hold
to be all parts of the same system of
measures and subordinate to the end
they have in view which is openly
avowed to be, tho total overthrow of
the institution.
We have no aggressive move. We
stand upon the defensive. We invoke
the spirit of the constitution. and claim
its guarantees. Our rights-our indie
pendence--the peace and existence Of
our families depend upon the issue.
The Federal Government has with {
in a few years acquired, by treaty and I
by triumphant war, vast territories.
This has been done by the councils T
and the arms of all. and the benefits 1
and rights belong alike and equally G
o all the States. The Federal Gov {
,rhment is hut the common agents Of n
he states united, and represents their a
Onjoined sovereignty over subjects S
natter granted and defined ia the v
e
The authority it exercises over all
required territory, must in good faith, &
,e exercised for the equal benefit Of II
N parties. To prohibit our citizens u
rom settling there with the most IL
part of our property, is not b
,nly degrading to us as equals. but S
'iolates our highest constitutional d
ights. q
Restrictions andprohibitions against r
he slaveholding States it would ap- Il
.ear, are 20 he the fixed and settled p
IOlicy Of the GoEernment-and those a
tales that are hereafter 10 be admit. O.
ed into the Federal Union from their il
xtensive territories will but confirm q
nd increase the power Of the msjori- .,
v: and he knows little Of history who il
annot read our destiny in the future
we fail TO do our duty now, as free q
eople. "
We have been harrassed and in b
1lted By those who ought 10 have Oi
cen our brethren in their constant o
citation OF subject vital 70 US and r,
be pence Of our families. We have u
cen outraged BY their gross misrep>
of our moral and social p
abits. and By the manner in which Il
hey have denounced us before the =,
rorld. We have had our property
nlirnI of nnd IL rnnnnr ~ rrrrr I,