M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1855-02-23
BY J. HUNT, JR,
Mr.. CaSS' Speech
On the Right OF instructor

The following is Mr.. Cass' speech
10 the United States Senate, on the
right of instruction:
Mr.. PREsIDENT-It is now some
years since the Legislature of Michi.
gan instructed the delegation Of that
State in Congress to vote for the meas
ure historically known as the Wilmot
Proviso, the interdiction of slavery in
to the territories Of the United States.
| took the earliest opportunity in my
power, in some remarks | made here
il connection with the general subject
Of Congressional jurisdiction over those
political communities, to announce the
course | intended to pursue. As my
convictions of constitutional duty pro.
hibited me from obeying the instruc.
tions, avowed my determination tc
resign my seat in this body whenever
| should he called upon, by its proceed,
ings, to take my part in the decision oil
the question.
While protesting my adherence to
the general doctrine, | said, 81 am a
believer in the right of instruction,
when fairly exercised, and under props
er circumstances. There are limiia,
tions upon this exercise, but | need not
seek 10 ascertain their extent, nor ap.
plicalion, for they do not concern my
present position. | acknowledge the
obligation Of the instructions | have
received" &c. Any further action,
however, on my part became unneces-
sary, by'he repeal Of the resolutions; a
measure which was adopted with much
unanimity by the Legislature, and ap-
proved by a vast majority Of the peo,
pie of the State.
And thus has the subject rested un-
disturbed, till within few days; the
delegation Of Michigan in Congress
having been LETT to follow the dictates
OF their concience and judgment in re-
lation to this whole mater. Quite re-
Gently, however, a change has taken
place. The Democratic party in the
State has lost its ascendency, ,and a new
party, with different views, and, may
add, in many respects with dScordant
ones, having obtained possession o.
the Legislative power, the resolutions
which have just been read are the re-
suits of its action, and call upon me, as
well as upon the other members of the
delegation, to vote for depriving Amer.
ican citizens in the Territories OF the
power TO regulate one Of the most i'm.
portant Of their domestic concerns, thai
Of the relation between master and ser.
vant, and for the repeal of the existing
fugitive slave act, passed to give effect
TO solemn guarantee OF the Constitu.
ton.
As peremptorily decline to do eth
er, and intend to retain my place, it i!
necessary, in my own vindication be-
fore the people of the State whom
desire respectfully to address from the
sea! which here occupy by their ia
vor and kindness, that should now dc
what | was hot required to do on tht
former occasion, to "ascertain the lin
itations" upon the right of instruction
or to speak perhaps with more preciS
ion, "the extent" of the duty OF ODE
dience, so for as concerns my presen
position. And have to say, sir, tha
the circumstances in which the power
to pass these resolutions originated
constitute one of the very cases which
occurred to me, at the time those words
of caution were spoken, as restricting
the obedience Of the Representatives
The practical question, briefly stated
is this; Has political party, when.
ever it lccedes to power, by whatever
combinations, the right to pass resolu.
tions which its opponents, in legisla.
tive trusts, are bound to obey,o il pre-
vented from obeying bytheir conscience
and eonsistency,to resign their position
The consequences OF such rule o
action are too obvious 10 need delaileC
examination, and too serious 10 be in
Cured without pressing necessity. In,
to this body, it would introduce chan.
ges, radically affecting its organization
and incompatible with the objects o.
its institution as the representative
branch Of the sovereignty of the state
Itwould lose every characteristic Of
parmanence, its members going out,