The southern press., 1852-03-16
The Legislature or Massachusetts, and the
Slavery Question.

The following proceedings in the Massachu.
sets legislature on Thursday last, show how
much of a finality" the Compromise measures,
and more especially the fugitive slave law, is re-
garded there. Not content with making it q
nullity within the borders of that commonwealth,
our brethren of Massachusetts seem determined
to add further insult to injury. The motion to
refer these resolutions to special committee
was carried, it will be observed, by very de.
cided majority. 1t would seem that Mr.. RAN
ToUL was not far wrong in the startling state
ments he made the other day, as to the senti-
ment of Massachusetts, on the subject of slavery
"THE COMPROMISE IN THE MASSACHUSETTS
LEGISLATURE In the house of representatives
of Massachusetts, Thursday, Mr.. Hoar, of Wor.
cester, by leave, introduced resolves concerning
slavery, and moved their reference TO select
committee of the house. This was opposed by
Mr. Schouler, Of Boston, editor of the Alas
and favored by Messrs. Hopkins, of Norihamp-
ton, and Hoar. The motion was earried-l56
to 129
Mr.. Kimball gave notice chat he intended TO
move a reconsideration of the vote the following
day. Dir. Thomas, of Weymouth, then moved
a reconsideration, and Mr.. Hunt, of Rehoboth,
moved suspension of the rules.
The motion to suspend was discussed by
Messrs. Hopkins, Schouler, Kimball, Hoa-,
Hayden, of Boston, and Thomas, of Weymouth,
and rejected. The resolves were then ordered
to be printed. They are as follows:
Whereas, 1t has been the custom of Massa.
chusetts in times past, to express to the general
government and to her sister States her wishes
and purposes regarding matters which deeply
concern the general welfare: and
Whereas, the principles upon which the per-
ranenee Of The Union and the Liberties of its cit.
liens depend, have been put in hazard by a Sc
ries Of measures known as the compromise acts,
and
Whereas IL has been claimed that this series
of measures has by general consent Of the peo-
pie been adopted az final and irrevocable CON-
pact, be X therefore,
ResolOsd That Massachusetts, has not chang.
ed the principles she has repeatedly affirmed ia
relation 10 the institution Of slavery that it is
LEGAL inst ution which should be confined 10
the States where il exists sui ject TO no control
and entitled 10 no support from the general gov.
ernment and that Congress has no right to in
volve the free States in its shame, or In is
guilt, by laws designed TO countensnce, perpet.
uaie, or extend it,
Resol0ed, That the people Of Massachus EFT 9
yield to no others in attachment 10 the Union
and Constitution, that they will support the one
and obey the other; and will fearlessly and H.
hexibly resist any measures which violate the
principles Of constitutional liberty and thereb,
disturb the harmony, and endanger the existence
of the Union.
Resolved, That the act Of 1850, known as n q
fugitive slave laws, is opposed alike TO the doc.
uines Of Christianity and to the fundamental
ma1ims OF free government : that II is uneonst;.
tional, unjust and oppressive T; and that II ought
to be speedily and forever repealed
Resolved, That Massachusetts. protests against
the delivery into slavery Of men found upon hcr
soil, and under the jurisdiction OF her laws, IL
the actual enjoyment Of freedom especially
without due process Of law, and without ri
oil by jury before legally constituted judicia
tribunal
ResOlped, That Massachusetts, expects her
Senstors and Representatives in Congress, thai
they will in all respects conform TO the prirci
Piles IN these resolutions expressed.
RESOLVED, That His ExcelleDcy, the govern
or, be requested 70 transmit copies Of these re-
solves TO the governors Of the several States o
the Uniof pnd 10 our Senators and Represen
tatves at~Nashington, TO be by them laid be
fore the two Houses Of Congress.