The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-01-15
OHIO LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

| AAohcy ouu iOOo OneIS, ClIZcuS VI I'll
counties of Muskingum, Morgan, Monro
and Guernsey, for the establishment of tn
new county Of Freeland.
Also, the remonstrance of 728 citizen
OF Guernsey and Morgan counties agains
the formation of the new county of Noble
i BY Mr.. Simpson, from the Rev. Jane
Drummond and So others, of Belmon
county, asking that the Senate instruct th
Senators of the United States from Ohio
TO vote for the repeal Of the Fugitive Slav'
Law, and that a law be passed, to prohibi
the officers of the state from executing
said law.
Mr.. Simpson said, that in making the
motion to send this memorial to the com
mittee on Federal Relations, he would ask
the indulgence of the Senate while. he
made few remarks. He was we'll &C.
quainted with most of the signers-they
were men of character and standing in
society. The Rev. Mr.. Drummond is one
of the most eminent Divines of the Union
While he (Mr, S.,) held the doctrine O
instruction, to be one essential to Re.
publican Government, and while he held
the right Of petition to be inviolate, he
must say, that the prayer of the petitioners
asking the Legislature to pass law which
would array the State officers against a
law of Congress-which would prohibit
men, as citizens and as officers, from
obeying the laws of the land, was one
that he could not vote for-it was near
allied to treason. The petitioners no doubt
viewed this matter differently, or else they
could not have asked it. But he, Mr.. S.
held that the laws of Congress were bind
ing until repealed. Asking our Senators
to vote for the repeal of the law, was q
different matter. As Democrat, he had
ever held the right of instruction as sa-
cred, and this the petitioners have the
right to ask the Senate to do, but to ask
the Legislature to say that its citizens shall
not execute law passed by constitu-
tional majority, signed and approved by
the President, and published as law Of
the land, is asking that which they have
no right to ask, and which he, Mr.. ST.
with his views of duty to the Constitution,
could not consent TO do.
Mr.. Lewis said he was acquainted with
many Of the signers, and would cheerful
ly endorse their respectability, with the
Senator from Belmont He did not be-
lieve such men would ever dream oftrea-
son. They ask instruction to the Sen ators
to repeal the law, and they ask that the
officers of Ohio may not be turned into
bloodhounds This is not treason.
Mr.. Simpson said that the Senator from
Jefferson was welcome to all the capital
he could make on this petition. DIR.
Drummond, as minister, was an able
man, but he, and the others, should have
known that the prohibition Of men in Ohio,
from executing the laws OF the Union, is
little short of treason. There are other
Divines in Belmont county. and other men
in the county, who hold that it is wrong
for ministers or men to recommend re-
sistng the laws. The Senator from JEFF
ferson says he is ercited. So he is, and it
is not the first time he has shown excite
ment here, which was unbecoming min
lister of the Gospel. He, Mr.. S.,) be-
leved in the doctrine Of instruction, but
he did not like his instructions from the
few, while the many held different doc
trines. If instructed by every man in his
district, to do an unconstitutional act, he,
(Mr. S. would not do it, though he could
resign. Such he held TO be the doctrine
which would prohibit the people of Ohio
from executing the laws of Congress.
Mr.. Randall had no doubt but that the
Legislature had the right to pass laws to
prohibit State officers from ordering the
arrest of Fugitive Slaves.
The petition was then referred to the
committee on Federal Relations.
A bill was introduced to create the goth
Judicial Circuit. The manifest object Of
the bill was to get rid of the President
Judge (Beers,) elected last winter by the
wings; as he is said to be incompetent to
discharge the duties Of the Office. Much
discussion grew out Of the motion to refer
il to the Judiciary committee.
The resolution of the House to 90 into
the election Of U. S. Senator. and other
officers, was laid on the table, by a party
vote. ois a0e
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. Okey presented the petition of Jo-
seph Brown and Sc other citizens Of Mon
roe county, praying to alter or amend the
present school law.
Also, the petition Of William Bottenield
and SO other citizens Of said county, on
the same subject.
Also, the petition Of John Hamilton and
"a other citizens Of said county, on the
same subject Severally referred to the
Committee on Common Schools.
Z A bill to repeal the law taxing the in
come Of lawyers and physicians, caused
considerable discussion, and was finally
lost. '-1 ~" A3A
q ~ SENATE. io 1aa
q a2.f3 TUESDAY, Jan. 7.
Mr.. Barker presented a petition from
John Robertson and 100 others of Grand
view township, Washington county, against