Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-02-15
.cES. cAs3 on KNOW -yoruINelsM. AND ABoLI.

iuuOis llstfuctng theif Senators ana hepreseuta-
lives IN Congress 10 use their best exer:ons TO
procure the pa sage Of an act prohibiting the in
PRODUCTION or existence of slavery in any of the
territories, especially in Kansas and Nebraska, and
to Introduce without delay bill for the latter pur-
pore; and also to procare the immediate repeal Of
the act of 1850.
The resolutions are as follows
? iResolred, That our Senators in Congress be, and
are hereby instructed and our representatives re-
onested 10 vote for and use their best exertions
TO the passage of an act of Congress that
shall nrobibt the introduction exercise Of slavery
in any of the territories Of the United States, and
especially in Kansas and Nebraska, and to intro
duce. without delay, bill FOR the latter purpose.
''Resoloed, That our Senators in Congress be,
and they are herecy instructed, and our represen-
tatyes requested, TO use their best exertions to
procure the immediate repeal of the act Of 1850,
known as tie fugitive slave law"
These are kno,o nothing sentiments in Michigan.
The resolutions were submitted to the Senate by
Senator STUART; whereupon, Gen. CAss rose and
gave his reasons for declining to comply with them
in the following terms:
Mr.. President: 1t is now some years stree the
Legislature of Michigan instructed the delegation
of that State in Congress to vote for the measure
historically known as the Wilmot proviso, the H.
terdiction of slavery into the territories of the
United States / took the earliest opportunity IN
my power in some remarks | made here in con-
nection with the general subject Of Congressional
jurisdiction over those political communities, to an
nounce the course intended TO pursue. As my
convictions, l avowed my determination to resign
my seat in this body whenever should be called
upon, by its proceedings, to take part in the de
cision Of the question
While processing my adherence to the general doc
trine 81 am believer in the right of instruct on,
when fairly exercised and uLder proper circum-
stances There are limitations upon this exercise but
need not seek 10 ascertain their extent nor appi-
cation for they do Lot concern my present position.
acknowledge the obligation OF the instructions |
have received, u" &c. Any further action, however,
Ca nv part, became unnecessary by the repeal of
resolutions; measure which was adopted with
the much unsnimty by the legislature, and approved
by vast maiority of the people of the State.
And thus has the subject rested undisturbed, till
within few days; the delegation of Michigan in
Congress having been left to follow the dictates of
their conscience and Judgment, in relation to this
whole matter. Quite recently, however, change
has taken place. The democratic party of the State
has lost its ascendency, and new party, with diff
ferent views, and, may add, in many respects with
discordant oaes having obtained possession of the
been read are the result of its action and call upon
me, as well as upon the other members of the de-
legation, to vote for deprivng American citizens
in the territories of the power to regulate one OF
| the most important of their domestic concerns
that Of the relation between master and servant,
and for the repealof the existing fugitive slave act,
| passed to give effect to solemn guarantee of the
constitution. .s....-.
As peremptorily decline to do either, and in
70 Dlaoo II 10 in NV
vindication before the people of the State, whom
desire respectfully to address from the seat which
l here occupy by their favor and kindness, that
| should now DO what | was not required to do on
the former occasion, to ASCERTAIN the limitation"
upon the right of instruction or to speak perhaps
with more precision "the extent" Of the duty Of
obedience, solar as concerns my present position
And have to say, sir, that the circumstances, in
which the power topass these resolutions origina-
ted, 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 representative The practical question,
stated is this: Has political party, whenever it
| accedes to power, by whatever combinations, the
| right to pass resolutions which its opponents in
legislative trusts bound to obey, or if prevented
from obeying by their conscience and consistency,
| to resign their position?
| The consequences Of such rule of action are too
obvious to need detailed examination, and too seri
Gus to be incurred without pressing necessity Into
this body 1t would introduce changes, radically af-
fecting its organizatien and incompatible with the
| objects Of its institution as the representative
branch of the sovereignty of the State. 1t would
lose every characteristic of permsnence, its men,
bers going out, year by year, as political fuctua-
tons might transfer power, from one party TO an
other For at times would it be easy to select
questions for this process Of removal which no
honest man Of an opposite party could support
Some Of these are constitutional and others scarce
y inferior to them in importance, involving points
of policy forming the landmarks of tie debatabe
ground, where our struggles have always hereto
fore taken place
That this power would be used, abused indeed,
for this purpose, no will deny. The excite
ments of the past warn rs as 70 what the future
would bring with it. And that the disadvantage
would be the share Of the democracy is certain,
for it is well understood that in the creed of our
opponents, instructions carry with them neither
the duty to obey nor the obligations to resign
The two whig senators, who have occupied seats
in this body from Michigan, one Of them my ina
mediate predecessor, and the other my colleague
during portion of my first term of service honor
able aud distinguished citizens, both disavowed the
obligation Of Instructions and both refused at least
in one instance, to obey the expressed will of the
Legislature conveyed TO them by its resolutions
And | believe their views were in conformity with
the opinion Of the party in the State.
lam not called upon to discuss the general doc
trine All seek is to explain why | acknow-
lodged the Obligations OF the former instruct ons
and deny those of the present And when l deny
the power of the existing majority of the legisla-
ture Of Michigan, composed as it is of political op-
ponents, whose efficient bond of union is antagon-
ism to the democracy, to instruct me out Of Office,
feel that my OBJECT is accomplished. | presume
there was not a member Of the general assembly,
whose will is embodied in that document, who did
not know that no human consideration would IL
duce me to support the measures which find such
favor in their eyes So far as respects myself, it
was the vacation Of the office that was hoped for.
Mr.. President, strange doctrines are abroad, and
strange organizations are employed to promugate
and enforce them. Our political history contains no
such chapter in the progress Of our country as that
which is now opening. The grave questions of con
stitutionality and policy which have been so long
the battle cry Of parties contemptuousy reject
ed, and intolerance, religious aud political, finds
jealous, and it may be, they will prove successful
advocates in the middle of the nineteenth century,
Boosting with much self-cOmplacency of IFS intel
ligence and in this free country, founded upon emf
grafton, and grown prosperous and powerful by
federation.
1t is a system Of prescription, which would ex-
clude the first general who fell at the head of an Or
ganzed American army--and nobly and valiantly