The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1855-09-25


election resulting rs they have dono from the
efforts ofpersons formerly separated by vaious
patty relations, bnt now united and cordially
cooperating in the promotion of The common
good.
Resolved, That this patriotic union had its
origin in an enlightened sense Of the necessity
not only of Introducing reforms into Tho ad-
ministration Of our State affairs but of combi-
ming to resist the unjust aud arrogant preten-
sons of the Slave power, we take the occasion
here to re assert our unchangeblo opposition
to he further extension. in whatever manner.
Of Slavery in the United States; that in spirit
and theory the Constitution for freedom aud
fseemen; that il was expected and intended by
enlightened patrons who framed IL, that slave
ry like other great political. moral and social
evils, should give place before The steady ad-
vance of that improved civilization secured by
the declaration of Independence aud the war
of the revolution.
Resolred. That though we admit !, not to
he Within the PAYERS Of Congress or Of tho
Free States, by any act of ordinary legislation
to interfere with Slavery in the States whore
II now exists, yet we hold that Congress have
fill authority to abolish il in Territories, and
in every other locality where they have juris
diction and that it is their dniy 10 do so.
Resolved, That tho history Of the country
shows that the only oieciual barrier against
the spread of slavery il the United States, was
the glorious ordinance of 1887. which embody.
ing the sel. iments Of the franers of the Con-
stitution. ard contomporaneous with il. laid an
irrepealabe intordict upon its introduction in
to the Northwest. and thus saved to freedom
FIVE States, which otherwise would, dopbtess
have followed the fortunes Of those Territories
to which IL was not applied and like them, have
rla .I eoI
with that pernicous institution.
Resolved, That We concur in the declaration
lately made by the Republican Convention of
Pennsylvania, "That the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise was violation of the National
faith: an outrage upon the rights of Free Stat
cs; that il was The first step in the conspiracy
sgainsi freedom, which has found its appropri-
ate and intended sequel in The lawloss attempts
of Missouri mob iustigated by conspicuous
friend of the National admni ,traton and con
nved at and sanctioned by tha, administration.
to force the curse OF Slavery upon the FREQ soil
of Kansas"
Resolced, Tint the affairs Of that beautiful
bu, unfortunate Territory; tho open and undis-
gnsed violence in the shape Of an armed inva-
sion from Missou by which tho voice of lie
lawful inhabitants las been suppressed at tho
polls: the fruitlcss cflurts Of IT'S late Governor
from Office, by National Executive as supple
and corrupt us he is weak aud hcaricss: tho
numerous acts of lawless violence committed
against the pcrs OILS aud property Of peaceable
settlers by tho petty fyranis OF tic honr. who
affect to lord ii over their fellows like hnpditties
trcading piratical deck: the utter disregard
Of the organic law. on the part of tho so called
Legislature. in changing their place OF session
from amidst the great body of the settlers 10
the Missntri frontier he Better to carry out
tho conspiracy To enforce slavery upoH them:
the character Ui scme of their legislative pro-
cecdngs indicating purpose 10 punish as II
felony, every spoken or written thought adverse
10 the establishment ofslavery n the Territory,
and visiting with imprisonment al hard labor
The exercise of the .(recdom cfspeecl-a penal
ty which would not be tolerated in any other
country on the clobo. civilized or arbarous:-
all this presents a spectacle disgraceful alike
tn he government of the United States and the
authors. ono and al, OF the Repeal OF tho Mis-
souri COMPROMISE; of the 'serablc dolusion
known as squancr Sovereignty. and the equally
miserable sophisircs of Southern notification
passed through tho Northern alembic of tho
".Nichoisea letter.
Resoiped, That it is the duty Of Congress to
restore freedom TO Kansas and Nobraska.--
That in view of tho historical fact that in every
instance of the addition of slave territory to
che Union, tho Executive has been tho intia-
tory and primary Instrument, tho time has
come for the Representatives. of the People to
give utterance and effect to the popular will,
and to teach Presidents and Cabinet as well as
aspirants for place that they must yield to the
will of the majority;--that the voice OF tho ma
jority must govern, and that if the Union is
ever placed in peril, it will DO for tho reason
that that voice is disobeyed.
Resoired, That by the well settled princi-
pies of law the relation master and slave bo-
comes absolutely extnguished whenever
slave arrives in Free State by tho consent of
his master; that therefore the doctrine lately
held by Judge Kane in Pennsylvania, under
which Passmore-Willamsonb has been imprsop
ed, is no law; that the order Of said Judge for
such Imprisonment is high hauded and tyran-
nical usurpaion of power, by which respect
able citizen has been deprived Of his liberty,
for no other rea on but that he informed an
igno' ant defrnceiess ,coman of her rights un-
der the Constitution OF tho United States and
tho laws of Pennsylvania, and that so glaring
n prostitution ofthe judicial erminc fills us with
sorrow ard shame, and cannot bot be regarded
even by slave owners with contempt and abb
heronce.
Resoired, That though tho question of slave
ry as above definod, is one Of great interest,
yet we regard it with as little apprehension in
reference TO the safety of tho Union as many
others which have been pcaccably set,led,-as
ono the discussion ofwhich in Congress or out,
Is fraught with none but imaginary dangers;
that the Constitution. and the Union are too
rich in benefits to tho whole people, aud too
firmly embedded in their affections. to. suffer
any detriment from tho froost discussion and
action upon tho subject. And we look with
pity upon those tmid and doubling minds who,
yielding to groundloss fears or obscquious to
their demsg0gues, are ever exclaimng-Woo,
woo. to the Union; as if their fccblo cry could
either shake down tho walls of tho citadel or
startlo the millions oftrue sentinels who guard
it, Bot should the Union bo ever seriously
mensced on account of slavery or any other
subject. we pledge ourselves to defend it with
tho samo patriotic devotion which gave II birth.
Rcsoivcd, Iha, we hold it to be tho duty OF
Congress to mako appropriations for the i'm
provcmont of tho rivors and harbors connected
with tho inland trade Of the country; that the
commerce of tho lakes particularly demands
the exercise of this plainly granted power
That tho rooott xot, t,- pros,Iout D,oroa nj