Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1855-02-28
s,u' GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN, WEDNESDAY, s 1855.
REMARKS OF MR.. CASS ON THE
MICHIGAN INSTRUCTION RESO
LUTJONS. WASHINGTON, Feb g..

REMARhS OF NIX. CASN Wv TIE
MICHIGAN INSTRUCTION RESO.
LUTTONS. WASHINGTON, Feb. s.,
Tn the Senate, to-day, Mr.. Stuart presented n
preamble and resolutions passed by the legisla-
iure of the State of Michigan, instructing the
Senators and requesting the Representatives
from the State in Congress to vote for, and use
their best exerlions to procure, the passage OF an
act of Congress to prohibit the introduction or
existence of slavery in the Territories of the u.
States, and especially in Kansas and Nebraska
and also nstruciiDg them 10 vote for the repeal
of the fugitive slave law, as containing provls-
sos Of doubtful constitutionalty, and which are
repugnant to the moral sense of the people Of
the free States.
The resolutions having been read,
Mr.. Cass said Mr.. President, it is now some
years since the legislature of Michigan instruct
ed the delegation of that State in Congress to
vote for the measure historically known as the
Wilmot proviso-the interdction of slavery in
the Territories of the United States. ltook the
earliest opportunity in my power, in some re-
marks made here in connexion with the gener-
al subject of congressional jurisdiction over
those political communities, TO announce the
course | intended to pursue. AS my convictions
of constitutions! duty prohibited me from obey
ing the Instructions avowed the determination
to resign my seat in this body whenever should
be called upon by its proceedings to take my part
in the decision Of the question.
While protesting my adherence to the general
doctrine, said; Z" | am believer in the right
of instruction, when fairly exercised and under
proper circumstances. There are limitations
upon this exercise, but need not seek to ascer-
tain their extent or application, for they do not
concern my present position. | acknowledge
the obligation of the Instructions have recev-
cd" &c. Any further action, however, on my
part became unnecessary by the repeal of the
resolutons-a measure which was adopted with
much unarimity by the Legislature, and ap
proved by ayast majority OF the people OF the
State.
Aud thush has the subject rested undisturbed
till within a few days; The delegation of Michi-
gan in Congess having been left to follow the
dictates of their conscience and judgment in re-
lalon to thi, whole matter Quite recently,
however, clpnge has taken place. The dem
ocratic party b the State has lost its ascenden.
cy, and a newparty, with different views, and
may add, in miny respects with discordant ones
having obana possession of the legislative
power, the re9lutons which have just been
read are the result Of its action, and call upon
me, as well rs tpon the other members OF the
delegation, to ,pte for depriving American citi-
zens in the Territories Of the power TO regulate
one of the most Important of their domestic con-
ccrns--.lhat of tie relation between master and
servant, and for The repeal of the existing fugi.
/ ;;ve-slave act, pissed to give effect to solemn
guarantee of theeonstituton. AS perempto-
ry decline to d. either, and intend to retain
my place, it is necessary, in my own vindicatlon
before the peopldof the State, whom desire
respectfully to address from the seat which
here occupy by tleir favor and kindness, that
should now do vi lat was not required to do
on the former decision, to "ascertain the limit
a!ions' upon the right Construction, or, to speak
perhaps, with MOE preci,ion, "the extent" of
the duty Of obeGibce, so far as concerns my
present position. And | have to say sir, that
the circumstances n whichthe power to pass
these resolutions Gginate9 constitute one of
the very cases whih occurrsl to me at the time
those words of caution werespoken as restrict
ing the obedience Of the REPRESENTATIVE. The
practical question, hiefy staed, is this: Has
political party, whenever it asIends to power, by
whatever combinations, the right TO pass reso-
lutions which its opponents idlegislatve trusts
are bound to obey, OIL if preveted from obeying
by their conscience md consistency, to resign
their position? The consequences of such n
rule Of action are too obviousto need detailed
, examination, and too serious to eincurred with
out pressing necessity Into tls body it would
introduce changes, radically aflating its organ
ization, and incompatible with II objects ofits
institution as the representativdbranch of the
sovereignty of the States. 1t wald lose every
characteristic of permanency, its Tembers going
out, year by year. as political fiuc, c,ations might
transfer power from one party tohnother; for
at all times would it be easy to sect questions
for this process of removal whid no honest
man, of an opposite party, could srport. Some
of these are constitutional, and otlts scarcely
| inferior to them in Importance, nvSing points
} Of policy forming the very landmarAof the de-
batable ground where our struggles I'VE always
heretofore taken place. That this pSer would
be used, abused, indeed, for this fpose, no
, man will deny. The excitements othe past
warn us as to what the future would ling with
it and that the disadvantage would b<he share
of the democracy is certain, for it is WI under
Stood that in the creed Of our oppohts in
structions carry with them neither thduty to
obey, nor the obligation to resign. 'he two
whig Senators who have occupied seali this
| body from Michigan, one of them my mediate
predecessor, and the other my colleaguturng
a portion of my first term of service, hprable
r and distinguished citizens, both disavoed the
+ obligation of instructions, and both relled, at
S least in one instance, to obey the expresd will
: of the lepislature conveyed TO them by res.