The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1850-03-09
SPEECH OF HON. sAM'L. FORD.

The House having under consideration the
resolutions reported by the committee on State
and Federal Relations, and having adopted all
to the 9th, Mr. FOtd moved to strike out the
9th resolution, Mr.. Ford said
MI. Speaker: | had INDUCED the hope when
these resolutions were reported back from the
committee Of the whole house, thai they would
have been referred back to the committee
which has now under consideration the special
message Of the Governor, and the letter Of our
Senator'S and Representatives in Congress, on
the California question. Iindulged the further
hope sir that the commits e, after mature de-
liberation, would report such resolutions as
would be aCCeptableto every member Of this
house In these hopes have been mistaken,
and find myself constrained to send up the
amendment to strike out the 9th resolution. 4,
sir, have gone as far in this matter as can 60,
and must oppose the 9th, 10th, llth, 18th and
18th resolutions.
may we'll disttust my own opinions Sit,
when find them differ from those Of othet
members Of this house, and Of the other end Of
the capitol, ot more enlarged experience, and
profound knowledge than myself. Yet sir
much as regard the opinion Of others, and the
''hlgh pOslton'' the State has taken heretofore,
l am yet bound to regard my own position,
conscience, and oath Of office, as paramount 10
every other consideration.
Sir, am native Mississppian, and may,
without arrogance, claim to have as much re-
spcct for the honor and interest Of the State as
any man. The bones of my ancestors are
mingled with the dust Of my native homestead
and all that is most dear to me IN feeling and
interest, are identified with the interest and
honor Of the State. While ! yield to no man
in devotion to the honor and interest Of my ma
tive State,1 yet cling to that constitution
which is her only safeguard, and while ! might
90 as far, az ciisen, as any man, on the ques
tior OF Southern rights, can 60 no farther, al
a Legislator, than have already gone. wal
willing for conssvency'S sake, that the Legis'
lature should endorse the October Convention
but farther than that cannot advance. Wher
took my seat on this floor, was required tt
take solemn oath to support the constitution
Of the United States, which expressly fOrbidi
the action now contemplated. Article let, sec
10 Of the constitution, roads
Sec. 10. No State shall enter into any treaty
alliance, OF confederation; grant letters o
marque and reprisal, coin money; emit bills o'
credit; make anything but gold and silver
tender in paymsn. Of debts; pass any bill 0
attaindeT, &c post tacto law or law impaiTing th'
obligation OF conlracts, or grant any title 0
nobility. No State shall without the consen
Of Congress, lay any impOsts or duties on i'm
ports and exports, except what may be abso
iutely necessary for executing its inspection
! laws; and the nett proceeds OF all duties an'
imposls, laid by any State on imports OF ex
ports, shall be for the use Of the treasury OF IN
United States: and all such laws shall be sub
iect to the control and revision Of Congress-
No State shall without the consent OF Congress
J lay any duty on tonnage, keep troops, or ship
Of war, in time Of peace, enter into any agree
meni, or compact with another State, or vii
foreign power, or engage in a war unless &C
: tually Invaded, or 10 such Imminent danger
> will not admit Of delay "
Now cir, would ask il we do not act heI
, for use State and in her name as sovereignty
The acts Of the Legislature ore not the acts
r Tie people, but Of the State in the sense and ca
/ pacity intended by the constitution Of the