The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-09

The question. then presented itself. what was the
South 10 do IN view OF the crisis which upon her
The voice OF Virginia first heard this sublect-a
State which bad talered in It's devotion
principles OF the constitution; which first pniured the
banner OF Stale-righs and State remedies during the
memorable conflict OF l79S and 1899 which first declared
the great doctrine OF the resolutions OF Jefferson and Mad
lson, the triumph OF which the triumph OF popular
Liberty and the soyereignty OF the States over the ile
glllmaie Entertainments OF federal power.
The following resolutions, offered by Hon Henry A.
Wise, were adopted by meeting of the democrats OF
Virginia ON the 18th February. 1851,
81 Resolved That Il is the object OF this NEE ling 10 heal
past and prevent future dissensons caused by the
unued agitation OF past issues. and Of the mode Of their
adjustment among he friends Of the Union and OF State
d law ''0''' ana q me '0H'sa''a0s q '0s' aud
SO Resolved That all further agitation OF these issues and
OF their late adjustment either the hand
the other having practical end Is than pain
and dangerous alike TO all that IS precious in the Unon
and that is worth preserving IN the States
% Resoipsd, That 10 appeal on the hand 10 State
erelgniie now TO attempt by resort TO extreme remedies
good which is st left, and which is precious to be
jeoparded Tor that whatever ID be- which is lost and which
love OF the Union, aud federal power nded impair
not destroy the rights OF the States and destroy State
design OF converting the hottest sentiments OF patriots
mere political capital 10 be traded upon by that party for
consolidation which is destructive OF the Union and Of the
constitution OF the conederacy OF the rights Of the
States and OF the liberties OF the people"
The following resolutions adopted by the legisla
ture OF that State with but one dissenting voice:
That whilst thus State deeply sympahlses with South Car
oina in the feelings excited by the unwaranlable nerle
Institutions, and whilst diversity OF opinion among
the people Of this Commonwealth IN regard TO the WISDOM
Justice and consiitnonaity oil the OF the late
Congress OF the United States, taken whole, and
monty known as the compromise measures yet the egis
laure OF Virginia deems It duty 10 declare TO her sister
SAFE of South Carolina that the people of this State
unwilling to take any action Tin consequences OF the same)
calculated 10 destroy The integrity OF this Union.
"Resored I'd, That, regarding the said Of the Con-
gess OF the United States taken together as an adu
ing the hope lha If fairly executed they will the
country that harmony and confidence which of late have
unwise lin The present condition of the country send
delegates 10 the proposed southern congress
Tennessee and Georgia took precisely the same posi-
tionhat OF acquiescence in these measures and South
Carolina jealous OF her reserved rights, if possible
than any State in the Union-in whose soil sumber the
remains OF The great champions OF Saterghs, Hayne,
McDuthe, and Cahounaiier solemnly protesting against
It's justice, aequesced in that compromise And in Mis-
sisspp, The question distinctly made in the election
OF delegates 10 State conventions whether the people
would accept these measures, require amendments OF
them. hold in my hand the resolutions adopted by The
majority OF that convention and those reported by the
minority both taking precisely the ground. tar
atquiesceDce in these measures is concerned:
Majority Resolution.
" l. Resoved That in the opinion of this convention the
people OF Mississippi in spirit OF Cancellation and com
promise have aueIy considered the action of Cong
embracing series OF measures for the admission OF Cali
lorna as state into the union the organization OF terrific
OF the boundary between the laer and the State OF
Texas, the suppression of the slaveade in the District of
Columbia, and e1tradtion oil fugitive slave and
neced with them. the rejection Of the proposition exclude
slavery from the Territories OF the United States and
abolish it in the District OF Columbia and whilst they do
not entirely approve viii abide by II permanent adj
Justmen Of this sectional controversy long the
in ell It's features shall be faithfully adhered and
iorced,''
Minority Resolution.
I" 2 Rsoiusd, That this convention deems il right and
will OF msicry Of the people Mississippi, expressed
in the election OF September last in regard to the slavery
Resolved, That this convention considers acq
IN the meauIes OF Congress, called the Compounds,
tho settled policy OF the people OF Mssissppi indicated
by thar election
And 10 this platform, Mississippi still adheres-not of
approval fo! IN my opinion, bu small minority OF The
people of that State approved these measues-bu OF ac
quiescence IN them. And | undertake TO say that her
great statesman. lHon. Jefferson Davis who pre-.
sides the War Department and who serBly opposed
these measures ~ every shape ia which they pre-
scented, was enshrned in the confidence and
affection OF the people-of Mississippi than he is oday
Having, then, forced upon the South the Compromise
OF 1850, ask the North adhere to il in good faith
to carry out the spirit, meaning, and purpose Of the dor
rne OF non-in,ervention OF these measures
But we are told that this principle was intended only
to apply 10 thai particular territory and that have 10
right 10 expect It's further extension
But SIR, deem proper jus. here TO declare that ii
nonnierventon MEANS as some here coatend, the aban
donmeDt OF any duty by the federal government avoid
The hazard OF performing H. scorn and utterly reject The
doctrine. Ii only acceptable aud those repre-.
sent principle, which is 10 contne the action OF the
winch " was
instituted, not TO letter It's arm so that II cannot hold lis
protecting shield over every citizen OF the United States,
whether found within the territory subject 10 the luris
dlclion OF the federal government upon the high
whefe federal protection alone could avail him. Then
tell me not this doctrine for Utah and New Mexico
alone and, above all, tell me not il there else
where TO screen the federal government from the per-
oInance OF the duties for which the citizen pays tax to
the government, the security oil political, personal and
property rights With this Interpretation OF the doctrine
OF non-nervenlion, accept IL. and II was only intend
ed TO apply 10 this particular Territory, this principle
never designed to be final settlement OF the slavery
question This agitation is 10 go on the halls OF Con-
gress are 10 be The scene OF continued strife and conen
lion. The press is still to with inf immatory APP
peas 10 the lowest passion OF The people Mobs TO
be dashed into fury by abolition orators aud the slavery
battle Is TO be fought over again. whenever square mile
OF Territory acquired or Congress called upon TO organ
Ize territorial government
Sir, II this be true the action Of Stale and national
conventions pledgng fidelity these measures. sei.
Element liked and frevocaby of this question, in fact and
~ principle, worse than mockery.
II understand, and hope do mistake the SEMI.
ment OF those with whom ! am associated here, they
propose 10 repeal the Missouri Compromise, because ii
was usufpa,on OF power Tor Congress 10 attempt ex
cude any particular species OF properly from any portion
oil that Territory, which they held in trust for The com.
mon benefit OF the States And II | am not mistaken in
this opinion, how can they 10 the breath which de.
cares that void and imperative deny that those Ia VS.
which passed for The protection OF slave properly
within this Territory, shall mol have The effect given to
them by these enactmensi They were covered BY the
Prohibition OF 1870 We declare that Congress had
no authority thus to bury them and, taking the covering
OIL what right have 10 say that they shall not resume
the vitality Of which this incubus deprves them
Does this Territory belong to the States, described in
the constitution, the property those, who the
nf.ftn hall la Ret