The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-16

ton strikes us equally apt in the one case as
in the other.
Tho Legislature Of 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 a
nuity 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 a 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 a select
committee of the house. This was opposed by
Mr.. Schouler, OF Boston, editor Of the Atlas
and favored by Messrs. Hopkins, of Northamp-
to l29.
Mr.. Kimball gave notice that he intended to
move recOnsidera ion of the vote the following
day. Mr. Thomas, of Weymouth, then moved
u reconsideration, and Mr.. Hunt of Rehoboth,
moved suspension of the rules.
The motion to suspend WAS discussed by
Messrs. Hopkins, Schouler, Kimball, Hoar,
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-
manence of the Union and the liberties of its cit
liens depend, have been put in hazard by Sc
RES OF measures known as the compromise acts,
and
Whereas it has been claimed that this series
OF measures has by general consent of the peo-
pie been adopted as final and irrevocable com.
pact, be it therefore,
RESOLVED, That Massach usetts has not chang
ed the principles she has repeatedly affirmed in
relation to the institution of slavery that it is
local institution which should be confined to
the States where it exists, subject to no control,
and entitled TO no support from the general gov
eminent, and that Congress has no right to in
volve the free States in its shame, or in its
guilt, by laws designed to countenance, perpet-
uate, or extend it,
ResolUed, That the people of NJ assachus EFT
yield to no others in attachment to the Union
and Constitution, that they will support the one
and obey The other; and will fearessly and in
iiexbly resist any measures which violate the
principles of constitutional liberty and thereby
disturb the harmony, and endanger the existence
Of the Union.
RESOLVED, That the act of 1850, known as the
fugitive slave laws, is opposed alike to the doc.
trines of Christianity and to the fundamental
maxms of free government; that it is unconsti:
tional, unjust and oppressive and that it ought
to be speedily and forever repealed
RESOLVED, That Massachusetts protests against
the delivery into slavery ofmen found upon her
SOIL and under the jurisdiction of her laws, in
the actual enjoyment of freedom; especially
without due process of law, and without tri-
al by jury before legally constituted judicial
tribunal.
RESOLVED, That Massachusetts, expects her
Senators and Representatives in Congress, that
they will in all respects conform to the princ-
pies in these resolutions expressed.
RESOLVED. That His Excellency, the govern.
or, be requested to transmit copies of these re-
solves to the governors of the several States of
the Union and to our Senators and Represen
tatives at Washington to be by them laid be-
fore the two Houses of Congress-.
II