The daily union., 1854-02-12
A voice from nJtchian,

from the national councils
Voice from Michian
We are permitted to give publicity TO The following
letter Of Governor Parsons, of Michigan addressed to
the aie meeting at the Tabernacle in the city Of New
York 1t will be found TO be highly interesting and
coming from occupying elevated position, j, fur
nlshes strong indication to the popular judgment in
Michigan. Whilst we do not sympathze with Gov.
Parsons in his opposition the institution OF slavery,
we concur in the conclusion 10 which he arrives to
the true principle for the final settlement Of the ques
ton:
CosussA, tMchigan) January 20, 1854
GEsTLEmEa have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
OF your letter Of the 2lst ins accompanied by copy OF
the call of public meeting of the citizens OF New York
the S0h ns protest against the repeal violation
Of tho Missouri act, which forever prohibits slavery in the
Territories lying north o SO deg 80 min aud "invng
be present. and If my Official other engagements
should prevent attendance, requesting such express
sion Of my views may help the North de-
fence of It's rights &c cannot that the rights o the
North would be uamped upon endangered by repeal
ol that act Indeed, II impossible for understand
that (Which acknowledge have inclination under
stand the North has rights under ths constitution tba,
South has Ii appears clearly that no'hinx is
wsnnx bn understanding Of the principles OF our
government to satisfy any that oniy the States but
The Territories must be left free TO regulate their do
mestic affairs The sovereignty of within the sphere
which God has created him necessarily leaves him free
exercise his for the regulation of Ills
affairs, and TO pursue such lac may or the
promotion OF his own happiness. To deny this would be
to deny that man Is in degree sovereign or that he
bears IN any degree the image OF his Maker Upon the
natural sovereignty OF based the principles of our
repu bcan government The States and Territories com
parativsy bear similar relation general govern
uen regards sovereignty thai does his Creator
and smaller divisions such COUNTESS and coun
STATES, that the States bear the general govern
ment
It's principle then, consistent with the natural sove
eighty Of and the principles OF republican
government, that every community should have the fun
power OF prescribing for self the rules and uations for
its own civil government, subj set only such acknow
edged superior powers rules necessary pro-
lection OF these rights OF sovereignty. different ple
would consolidate the powers OF government and destroy
its republican character The pnary object of rc forma
ton OF the general and the adoption of il, con-
sution was the mutual protection OF the Saes sovereign
rights and the guarantee OF form
The people Of the Satcs preserve their ia ura rat.
sovereignty, far consistent with Sate sovere,yo,v
have divided their states into counties, counties
and towns into school aud road districts. &c. the peo
pie OF each Of these communities within sphere may
prescribe such rules as they deem essential r the
promotion OF their particular Interests As the prnc
pies Of government becoming better understood The
States are enargng the powers of the counties town.
and smaller divisions, leaving them free to con,ro
their own loc al and peculiar interests.
The institution Of slavery tolerated in the STATES
Ito my mind revoltng IN the extcme) institution for
which Michigan and the other no
sponbie than for the aws Of England which
the Queens divine right of sovereignty south min.
indie pendent OF Michigan, in the after OF II, doma.
tic concerns, Michigan is of England and Miobo,n
in tho respect independent OF the g.pr,.I Gov
emon, as the general of DEGREES OF the
Russian autocrat SO, in like manner are the coun..
towns, and snser divisions indie Of each o,h.,
Il 10 evident that this Independence essential to the lb
ery and happiness of people, the of ,b.i
universal love, and the consequent strength Of our govern
ment
The United Sts,cs constitution does no, ..p..lv
from the people OF the Territories snd confer upon Con.
gress the power 10 prescribe rules for government of
their domestic affairs and cannot see that IL does -. hv
implication And II is certain that the principles as un-
derstaod hem above stated would leave the people of III.
Territories free adopt their
without the intervention OF Congress, tho States If
Congress has power to establish arbitrary line ne
roNp WHICH slavery shall not also power to
establish line TO waioa Ir The Missouri Com
promise was, indeed. upon tbs, ncpiethus making the
general responsible for slavery this arbitrary
line and deprccatns, do slavery every respect As
revolving the laws Of God aud the jus. nlatous of
man. can never consent TO the adoption OF a principle
which shall make the general government responsible for
the Institution of slavery in the Territories. Let people
of every State and Territory take the which
Justly belongs them of making rules their internal
enjoy their benefits and suffer their con,e
qucnces. To do would prevent continual dragging
before Congress OF that bone OF which has
often aroused THERE, and throughout tho whole conn.
! try. spirit that has seriously threatened the disco.
luton of the Union. Il is greatly to be regretted that
philsnhropiss havs much mistaken the way 10
benefit the slave. Their efforts and contentious gene.
rally well designed, have been upon uncon.titution.l
and snti-repubcsn grounds and in every conflict they
have lost MUCH and gained nothing Their prem
been the people Of the South have Supposed their
motives wrong slso end instead of discussing At home
among themselves the question how they could ameorae
the condition OF the slave and effect his hnal enancip,-
zion, as was the Ia several Of slave at.a be
tore these eonentons arote, they have been
ing for their constitutional and republican rights and
sgain rs they have had some SUPPOSE the dan
gerous efforts OF NJ designing meneofts
for their claim OF being based upon phanhrcpo motives