Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-10-15

Mr.. Caihoun's Resoutloms.-spcec of<sen Pierce.
w publish below the Resolutions offered il the
Senate Of the United States. December n, 1881, y
Mr. Calhoun, Of South Carolina. the subject OF
the abolition ct slavery in the District Of Columba
and The speech of General Pierce in support of the
same.-January g, 1893
Resotred, That in the adoption of the Federal Constu-
R 9 8d g the aes a sas
by its own voluntary assent entered the Union with the
swell foreign. and the perfect and enjoy
ment OF its advantages natural political and social
be exercised by the States retain
ed seyeay the exclusive and sole right their do
them, aud that any ntemeddng any States
of their citizens with the domestic iRstltu
tons and police Of the Others any ground under any
preext whatever political moral religious with the view
their aeration subverson assumption of supe-
rory warranted by the Constitution insulting to the
States nterfered WITH tending to endanger their domestic
peace and tranquility subversve objects for which the
Constitution was formed and by necessary consequence
tending to weaken and destroy the Union itself
Resoued That this Government instituted and adop-
ted by the several States of this Union common agent
order carry into effect the powers which they had dele
gated by the Constitution for their mutual security aud pros
pery anu that IN ludmen this high and sacred trust
this Government is bound to exercise its as to
give, far be practicable increased stability and
security to the domestic institutions of the States that COM
pose the Union and that it is the solemn duty OF the Gov
to resist all attempts by portion ofthe Union
as IN instrument to attack the domestic institutions
of another to weaken destroy such institutions instead
and unfolding them, it is in duty bound
to do
Resoued That domestic slavery, it exists in the South
Western this Union, lmpor-
tant their domestic Institutions inherited from their
ancestors and existing at the adoption of the Constitutions
by which is recognised constituting essential ee
men in the distribution of IFS powers among the several
States and that change of opinion feeling on the part
the other States Union relation it. can justify
them Or their citizens in open and systematic attacks there
with the to its overthrow and that such attacks
manifest violation of the mutual and solemn pledge to
and defend each other given by the States repec
lively entering into the constitutional compact when
formed the Union, and such manifest breach OF faith
and violation of the most solemn obligations, moral and
/ religious
Resolred That the inermeddng of any State States,
their citizens to abolish slavery IN this District or any
of the Territories the ground under the preteXt that
it is immoral sinful the passage of any act or meas
of Congress- with that view would be direct and dam
gerous attack the institutions of all the slayehodlng
States.
ResoUed That the union of these States equal
y of rights and advantages among its members and that
whatever destroys the equality tends to destroy the Union
ITSELF and that it is the solemn duty of ALL and more espe
cay of this body which represents the States in their cor
porative capacity resist all attempts to discriminate be-
tween the States in extending the benefits of the Govern
to the several portions Of the Union and that to refuse
to the Southern and Western States any advantage which
would tend to strengthen render them secure,
increase their limits population by the annexation OF
territory States the assumption under the pretex
immoral SINFUL or otherwise obnoxious would be con
rary to that equality rights and advantages which The
Constitution intended alike to all the members
of the Union and would in effect disfranchse all the slave
holding States, Withholding from them the advantages
while subjected them to the burthens of the Government
Speech of Franklin Pierce. of New Hampshire, OF
Mr. Caihouns Resolutions.
! Mr.. PIERCE, Of New Hampshire, rose and said
The Senate had come at length to the ground OF
: which this contest to be determined. The Dis
. trct of Columbia emphaticaliy the battle
field of the Abolitionsts and the resolution imme
T., dately under consideration, with. perhaps, som,
modification in phraseology would present the tru
issue here and to the country-an issue which woult
raise, not question of expediency but one 0
amuch higher character, in which the public taitl
is directly involved.
That my position. said Mr. Pierce, may be dis
tinctly understood, some explanation is perhaps du
to the State which have the honor in part to rep
resent, especially there is manifest disposition il
IS certain quarters, to peryer votes and misrcpre
sent motives
have given to the resolutions all the considera
ton which am capable of bestoWing, and have lis
tened to the debate which they have elected witt
J., interest and profound attention.
If the grave objections suggested the ether sid
. were sustained by an examination of the resolution
:, themselves, or Il course Of sound augmentation
: they would ensure my opposition What are they
: The first that reached my was, that they con
tain latent notification. have waited to hear tn
,t particular resolution sentence phrase pointed GU
T. in which this heresy is supposed to be concealed
!, and | have waited in vain. Having then, asser
o ton on one side, and what appears to me to b
pain reading Of the resolutions and the frank an
a unqualified declaration of the mover on the other
n must be excused if do not take the alarm.
: We have next eloquent dispositions upon the lii
erty of speech and the freedom of the press To ey
s cry sentiment uttered upon these subjects yield m
J? cordial assent but why introduced this particu
st lar occasion, have been at loss to determine
G Would any man here abridge the liberty of speech
a or assail the liberty Of the press take it not:
there anything in the resolution to sanction the ir
vasion of either Not syllable. That these ar
privileges most dear to every American is freely &C
mtted by all. Why such variety of chan ges hay
al been rung upon them in this debate. others may de
IN termne. 1t is no: my province to judge of motives
IT, man sha make up an issue upon a subject for mt
e. | OPPOSE THE ABOLITIONlSTS, FOR TIL
IN VERY REASON THAT | ENTERTAIN A SA
ct CRED REGARD FOR THESE IN COMMO
IS WITH ALL OTHER RIGHTS SECURED BY TIL
es CONSTITUTION.
&c But it is fur her urged against the resolution
~ (sal Mr., Pierce, that they mere abstraction
~ Sir, it is quite immaterial what name you apply
10 them sufficient is it that they meet the case tn;
they encounter the Aboltionsts upon sound and ter
- able ground and furnish conclusive answer to h
- opportunities To say that the petitions refer only
" this District and that the principles asserted in til
10 preceding resolutions are consequently without
~ plication is perfectly lille. 1t is impossible to rea
~ single number of the leading abolition periodical
"a without perceving that object reaches far heyon
~ this District: and stops at point short of emanc
patton in the States. And yet, sr repeat that vo
~ woul find few intelligent Additions who would a.
=" sert that Congress has the constitutional power
interfere with slavery in the States: but adnittn
the want of power: here, they hold it their duty ;
~ individuals, to parsevere in the cause Recardin
u, the institution of slavery morally wrong, or sir
full If you please, they consider themselves as cit
~ zens OF the Union responsible for its continuance
-, wherever 1T may exist within borders TIL
~ APPREHENSION OF THE STRUCTURE OF on
- GOV NMENT AMI TLITS EpDnD TIM mn