The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-29
MAINE ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
Proposed Amendment to the Constitution of tn
United States.

Proposed Amendment to the Constitution Of the
United States.
On the 18th instant, the following resolves
relating to Slavery were adopted by the Senate
of Maine. They were warmly debated, and
many amendments were offered and rejected
We copy the concluding ones from the Augusta
Age. Of the 18th:
"ResOlred, /. That Human Slavery is, in all
its aspects, an unqualified evil AID wrong, and,
such, merits the apprehension of mankind.
30. That, in the early periods of our Nation
al history, both the opinions of the people and
the policy of the Government were adverse to
the institution.
"3. That the Constitution of the United
States is, and was designed to>be, charter of
Liberty; and hence, that all acts of the Nation
al Government, by which Slavery maintains
legal existence in territory subject to the ex-
elusive jurisdiction of Congress, are in direct
conflict with the whole spirit and with the clear
provisions of that instrument.
"a. That the act Of the thirty-third session
Of Congress, repeating the law of 1920, known
as the Missouri Compromise, by which Slavery
was forever prohibited in the territory north of
the parallel of 360 30/, was an uajustifable vio
lation of a solemn compact, and fragrant
breach of faith on the part of the South.
IS. That Maine will never consent to the
admission into the Federal Union of any more
States, with Constitutions auth0Hzing Slavery.
sc. That the act of 1850, call d the Fugitive
Slave Law, is unconstitutional, and odious to
the whole North; Maine, therefore. demands its
immediate and unconditional re zeal.
al. That it is the duty of the General Gov
eminent, without delay, to abolish Slavery
wherever it has exclusive jurisd elton; and to
exert its influence whenever aid wherever it
legitimately may on the side Of universal Lib
erty.
80. That the third paragraph in the second
section Of the first article of the Constitution of
the United States should be attended, by stri-
king out the words, (which shall be determined
by adding to the whole number If free persons,
including those bound to service for term Of
years. and including Indians not taxed, three
fifths of all other persons, and f'ddng, in place
thereof, the words, excepting Indians not tax
ed and all persons deemed and held as chattels
PERSONAL therefore,
"Resolced That our Senator'S in Congress
be instructed, and our Representatives request
ed, to use all practicable means TO secure the
passage of the following enactments:
First. An act repeating all laws of the Uni
ted States authorizing Slavery in the District of
Columbia.
"Second An act repeating the statute of
1891, known as the + fugitive slave Law.
"Third. An act forever prohibiting Slavery
or involuntary servitude, except for crime, with
in the Territories of the United States.
"Resolred further, That our Senators in
Congress be instructed, and our Representa-
| tires requested, at all times hereafter, most
sGenuously to oppose, in every lusti6able way,
the admission of any new State luto the Union,
except upon the condition, to lie embraced in
the act of admission that Slav cry or involun-
tary servitude, excepting that for crime, of
which the accused shall have been duly proved
guilty, shall be forever prohibited therein.
"ResotUed, That the Governor be requested
to forward a copy Of these resolves to each of
our Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress."
In the House. on the 10th inst, Mr.. Cushman
introduced bill further to protect personal lib
erty, forbidding officers of this State, under pom
atty, from aiding in the execution of the Fugi-
tive Slave Law. He advocated the bill in long
speech.
Mr. York, of Temple, said he had been an
Anti. Slavery laborer for ten years. He had not
opened his mouth here before, but he could not
hold out no longer. he should vote for the bill;
He was elected by an Anti-Slavery majority of
366 over the Pro Slavery, Wildcat, and Rum can
didate.
He hoped the bill would pass, so as to drive
Slavery from the State of Maine, and likewise
every slave-hunter.
Mr.. Lincoln, of Hallowell, said he was in favor
of the provisions Of the bill, and, for the purpose
of maturing the same, he moved it be referred
to Joint select committee. 4
The motion prevailed.