The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-01-25
GOVERNOR BINGHAM, OF MICHIGAN.

Governor Bingham, in his message to the
Legislature, after a careful consideration of the
whole question of Slavery, closes with the fol-
lowing decided remarks, just such as might
have been expected from a man so clear sight
ed, and SO deeply imbued with devotion to
Liberty:
That the question of Slavery in this coun-
try cannot he settled by legislative compromi-
ses, recent events have fully demonstrated.
The Compromise Measures Of 1850 were expect
ell to give peace to the country, and by MANY
were believed To have done so. but there has
been no real peace since their passage. They
were acqniesced in by manv who hoped that
The large concession made by them would salts
ty the grasping demands of Slavery, and that
the country would find repose. Their hopes
were signally disappointed.
The Fugitive Slave Act, and the mode of It's
enforcement, awakened the deep sensiblities of
the people OF the free States. They have been
aroused 10 n still higher pitch by the repeal of
the Missouri prohibition.
"Originally, the American policy excluded
Slavery from all the National territorv-uext
the Missouri Compromise tolerated the increase
Of slave States. carved out of slave territory.
on the condition of excluding the evil from ali
north of 36' so 10y positive prohibition. Then,
by the Utah and New Mexico acts, free terri.
tory, made such by foreign law, was converted
into slave territory; and nor, faith is broken
and plemn pledges violated, IN order that soil
from which the curse w.s excluded by law
which for thirty-lour years was well understood
and regarded as compact, shall be converted
into slave soil. The people of the free States
are now satisfied that the question is of an
importance paramount 10 that of every other,
and that the effort of patriots can be devoted to
no higher object than aAcal and permanent
settlement of 1T.
That such permanent settlement is prac-
ticable, / believe. That IL can be effected with
out dishonOr 10 either, and with incalculable
advantage TO both sections of the country.
am thoroughly convinced The great principle
of such a settlement should be the divorce OF
the General Government from Slavery Nei-
Their Congress nor the President should take any
part in npholding extending such an evil.
Without any Interference whatever with the
internal concerns of States, not committed by
the Constitution TO the supervision Of Congress
or the Executive the power and influence of
both departments should be exerted for the
bere6t of Freedom, rather than for the benefit
of Slavery There should be no Slavery in the
District OF Columbia--none in National Terri
tories-no slaye-catching under National law
no slave trade in American vessels, allowed or
regulated by acts OF Congress-no slave auction
under process out Of the Federal Courts. These
things done, the example and influence of the
National Government would be on the side oil
Freedom, and the power of reason and the force
of sympathy might be safely relied upon to
bring about universal emancipation.
II respectfully recommend the consideration
of these subjects to the Legislature, in order
that the position of the State may be clearly
expressed. The people of Michigan are repre-
scented in the Senate of the United States by
two eminent men, both of whom voted for the
repeal of the Missouri prohibition. l submit to
the Legislature the expediency of instructing
them to vote for and urge the passage of such
measures as are intended to restrict and dena-
tionaIize Slavery. Their repeated declaration
of readiness to abide the will of the State will
suggest to them the duty of either obeying the
instructions, or allowing the wishes Of the peo-
pie to be represented by others.
"Permit me to say, in taking leave OF this