The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-18

The following il the report Of the Committee federal
Relations, in the legislature OF South Corona,
much Of His Excellercy's message relates to the
State of Massachusetts,
The Committee on Federal Relations to which was re-
feIIed much OF the Governors message relates
federal relations respectfully report-Tnat that portion
Of His txcreny the Governors message relating the
State of Massachusetts, has received the consideration
which its Importance demands His Excellency says he
receiyed certain resolutions from the State Of Massa
chusets which he returned to the Governor Of that
State" because he considered the acts of her late
Legislature insult and an outrage upon every men,
Der ct the confederacy who has right to demand the
enforce ment Of the Fugitive Slrve act"
Although the particular acts conte mpated by his Ex
ceency not specified in the your COMMITTEES
at less to ibute the auson to the act Of the
legislature OF Massachusetts, entitled IAN act to pro-
ttct the right and liberties of the people of The Common
wealth Of achusetts passed the 2lst day May
1855. Els ExcelleDcy has well characterized this act Of
that Commonwealth deliberate. unblushing and i'm.
pous violation Of her constitutional obligations. That
the pi DIVISIONS Of this act in violation of her cnst
tutiOna Oh atoms the unanimous conclusion Of the
Governor and the highest legal authorities
state Of herself That it passed with
the gavest deliberation is manifest from the fact
that 1t was passed against the objections Of the
Governor who cndeavoed TO arrest its passage by in
terposing his refusal TO approve That 1t was un
blushirgly and mpiousy passed Is equally apparent
for the Governor communicated to the legislature to-
gether with his objections, the opinions Of all the legal
advisers Of the State that its provisions in conflict
with the rights Of the federal government and in viola
ton Of the constitution of the United states which he at
the same time admoDshed them they had sworn to obey
There is one characteristic applied by his Exceency
to this act which Is not accurately and peculiarly appro
pate natural and just Indignation atrocious
legislation uced his Excenency return the resolu-
tions Of the gisature which had passed this act
TO the Governor Of Massachusetts, without transmitting
them to this Assembly. What thosc resolutions Is
not stated In his message and matters not it
not to them his txcellency excepted He to have
considered the reception and transmission Of those
buttons to this Assembly ply courtcy and in.
terchaple Of civiies between the two sta cs viii H.
the circumstances, he felt himself prompted and
liberty to decline.
tits were the only aspect in which shis occurrence
could be viewed, your committee would find occasion
to add nythiDg 70 the simple exposition Of the circu
stances under which it has occurred But there Is
another aspect in which it may be vie we'd and posi- ply
will be viewed by the Governor of Massachusetts, espe
daily when urged by reckless and ntracable Legisa-
ture anxious TO find tor the denial Of all their
constitutional duties towards u.s. In contemplation Of
which and Of the future your committee deem 1t their
duty 70 submit few considerations appropriate TO the
occasion. Il
The Governors the States since the adoption
the constitution OF the United States from the proprey
necessity Of the have been uniformly recogoized
as the only legitimate channels Of communication be.
the States and such communication has always been
carried through the medium Of resolutions their Iegs-
atures When intercourse between the executives
different States is not interrupted there obviously
mode wht reby State can in any wise communicate
with another total cessation of intercourse between
two Of the States must generally be attended with
many nveniences to their citizens respectively and
may esult in grave consequences Take for instance
the right to demand fugves from justice This belongs
exclusively to the Governors OF the ssses II there be
bstwten the Gova of any two Of the
States II is difficult TO perceive how the right under this
Pre- vision Of the Constitution be exercised
Your committee do not say that such total interrupt
ton II intercourse with the State Of is
the result Of the action OF his Exceency but
II is low entirely left TO the discretion of the
Of that State 10 determine. Such at present. appears
lie the position Of State with Massachusetts and II
is proper this House should fully comprehend it.
The determination Of the question, when aud Cor what
cause the between State that
any other member Of this conederacy should be
ruped appears 10 your committee appropr aely TO
~ TO the General Assembly, the representatives
The reorle and proper arrangements have made In
bath houses for the consideration Of such questions by
the Iraniraion Of Standing Committees and 1t will al
WAYS be the safest to refer such matters to them
The interruption of intercourse between States and
~ M must be subjects and demand the sobel
consideration Of ell the interests Of the people Of the
hurried sc n which the contribution has provided In
the case Il ordinary legislation would always be well ap
piled 10 natter Of 20 great importance.
EDWARD McCRADY, Chairman.