The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1852-04-14
REMARKS OF HON, L. CLARK, OF IOWA,

he OD presenting Resolutions OF the State OF Iowa
,ss tion to the Compromise Measures, Delivered in
house of Representatives of the United Statcs Mai
8, 1852.
~ Mr.. Clark said: ask the unanimous CO
e' sent Of the House to allow me to introduce joi
resolutions from the Legislature Of the State
en- Iowa respecting the compromise.
There was no objection.
Mr. Clark. believe, by the rules and Gu
re tom Of the House, it will be my privilege to su
ui NIT few remarks explanatory of the resol
tons. will ask the Chair whether it is not
order, by the rules, when resolution is offere
briefly TO state its contents9
The Speaker. 1t is The gentleman ha
q, that riahts
d Mr. Houston. ] do not wish to interfe re wit
p the remarks the gentleman from Iowa propose
to make at all but for the sake of precedent
| would ask him if it would not be better t
send up the resolutions and to discuss then
upon the proposition TO prints Until the prop
J. ostion to print is made, the gentleman, sup
n pose, cannot be permitted to discuss the resolu
;. items or their centents.
e The Speaker. The gentleman from Iowa i
t only entitled, as the question now stands, 10
. biref statement of the contents of the resolu
tons
8 Mr. Clark. 1 move that the resolutions b,
/ printed.
The resolutions were then read as follows:
Preamble and Resolutions IN reference to h.
Compromise Measures passed by the Congress.
Of the United States
"Whersas, The Congress Of the United States
at its last session adopted series of acts known
as the compromise measures; and whereas
there has hcen manifested throughout partitions
of the North and South disposition to set q
portion Of said acts at defiance, and thereby de.
clare an open resistance to the power Of the
Government and its laws and whereas, in view
OF our duty to the Government,and for the pur.
| pose of showing to all portions OF the Union
and It's institutions, we deem proper to make
some public demonstration OF our views and
feelings Therefore.
Rcso'red, That in the opinion Of this Gen
eral Assembly, s'the Constitution Of the United
States is a compact, fundamental treaty." and
that in order to our continued prosperity and
happiness, that the Constitution and the laws of
the land must be respected and obeyed.
Resoired, That we will give no countenance
or aid 10 those, North or South, who set up
",heir own rule of conduct" in opposition to,
and as being higher than the Constitution and
while would give the largest latitude to
thought, speech, and action, yet such an avowaI
We regard as merting unmixed condemnation
its inevitable tendency being hazardous TO that
union, which We hereby declare ourselves
bound to maintain by any and all means in our
power.
Resotred, That whatever may be the opinions
of individuals as to the policy or details of said
compromise measures, yet it is the duty of every
good citizen to conform to their resquisitions
and carry them out in good faith seeking their
modification or repeal; if such should be neces-
sary, in the manner contemplated by the Con-
stitntion and laws.
ResOlred, That the Constitution should be our
guide, "and in questions Of doubt we should
look for its Interpretation to the judc al decis-
ions of the tribunal which was established to
expound it, and to the usages of the Govern
ment sanctioned by the acqulescence of the
country; that all its provisions are equally
binding; that it is the will Of the people ex-
pressed in the most solemn form; that no pre-
tense of utility, no honest convection, even, of
what might be expedient can justify ''the as
sumption OF any power not granted, or the vo-
lation of its provisions" and that we deem it
our first duty not 10 ''invade its requirements or
nullty its commands"
Resoired, That the Secretary of State is here
by directed to forward copy of these resolu
tions to the Governors OF each State and Ter
riory, and to each ofour Senators and Repre-.
sen,atives in Congress
APPROVED, January 90, 1851.
Mr.. Clark. However reluctant may be to
detain the House with any remarks of my own,
l think il due to the source whence these reso-
lutons come to submit few reflections respect.
ing their character. | suppose that it can hard
ly tail to be matter of interest to know what the
opinions of the people Of State are, respect |
ing great subjects which have agitated and di-
vided the public mind. The language of these
resolutions is, that it is the duty of every good
c,t; t1.c IN tho of
of compromise, and to carry them out in good
faith Here is principle moral principle
worthy Of the consideration of all, worthy to be
enforced upon every American mind, until its
force shall be felt by all, and none shall deny
it's truth 1t is said that the acts which ema-
nate from the National Legislature rest upon the
Constitution as their foundation, and this is un-
doubtedly true but another question arises of
no small importance, and that is, upon what
does the Constitution itself rest: 1t is su-
pers,ructure-it is but created thing. What
underies It's foundations and sustains it? 1t is
that principle which is set forth in these resolu.
tons namely, good faith-that good faith which
metes out to all their rights-the full measure
Of their legal, specific, and covenanted rights.
1t has been often said, that every system off
laws rests upon something external for its sup.
port. This is unquestionably true, and we
know what that foreign thing is. In almost all
other Governments except this, it is the soldiers
arm, and the bayonet welded by the soldier,
and both welded by the will Of a single mind
But it is different here. The very nature of
this Government is such as to repel the princi-
plc of force in its support and execution. It'll
is an emanation of the will of the people-and
the very idea Of force applied to the freedom of
will is both unreasonable and contradictory
What are the enactments Of law but the will of
Government And what is the will of Gov
eminent bat the will OF the people? And ifl
there be opposing Interests, az there always will
be- in SO great country, the safety of the whole
requires the sacred npholdng of those laws
which embrace, and grant relative protection 10
them all-and this is TO be found in the observ
ance of good faith On the part of each section
towards the other. And when this shall be OBJ
lerated and destroyed, there is no sure founda-
ton upon which such Government as this can
rest. Force, in n Government like this, is to
be employed only against its enemies, which
are never supposed to be ''ofits own household.
1t is true that you may put down rebellion
like that Of Shay $, in Massachusetts,, by militia
nv force. You may quell an lnsurrection like
that which existed in Pennsylvania, denominat-
ed the whiskey insurrection, by military force
But whenever the military force Of This Gov
ernmcnt shall be arrayed against the military
force Of a Safe Government, and drop OF blood
shall be split, blow struck, there will be
wounds created 81 deep that no time can heal,
resen.men's so hagrant that no grace can par
don, and IN so wide spread, that no wisdom
can reconstruct.
! believe there is such thing as morality of
law; not that morality alone which determines
the character Of law, but that which commands
obedience to tn. provisions Of law. 1t arises
apon the enactment If law, it is coexcnsi'e
with it, it subssts with it; and from its obliga-
tions there is no escape. 1t IS true that the |
casuist and carper my conceive that they can
ask hard questions as to what shall be done in
case Con .rrss shall enact laws that are fagi-
tious and immoral in their character. | an
swrr, that if the supposi'i'n were possible, it is
the duty Of every citizen to obey
MIR. Hebard, (nterrupting) rise to inquire
,yh, ther anv question is before the House:
The Speaker motion 10 print
Mr. Cabell, Of Florida. The resolutions have
never been received.
Mr.. Hebard. ! would inquire whether the
resolutions had been received?