The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-02-01
MICHIGAN TO HER SENATORS.

The following preamble and resolutions were
passed on the 10Th inst, by the Senate of Michi-
gan-yeas %, nays Sail the Republican
members present and one Democrat voting in
the affirmative. The House, it was certain,
would promptly concur by decided vote. As
Senators Cass and Stuart are understood to be
supporters of the Democratic doctrine of instruc-
tons, it is to be hoped that they will pay heed
to these explicit and important directions.
Hear them
Whereas Slavery is regarded by the people of
this State as great moral, social. and political
evil at war with the principles of the Declare
ton of Independence, and the great object con-
templated by our forefathers in establishing
the Constitution of the United States an i'm
pediment to the prosperity of our common
country and an element of domestic weakness
and discord and
Whereas the people of Michigan owe it to
the early and prudent exercise of the power of
Congress over the Territories of the United
States, in applying the Anti Slavery restriction
contained in the Ordinance of 1881, that she is
not now slaveholding State and
Whereas the people have, heretofore, through
their Legislature, repeatedly and earnestly re-
monstrated against the further extension of
Slavery in the national Territories; and
Whereas onr present Senators and two of
session thereof now last past, vote for the repeal
of the Missouri Compromise, so called, and for
the passage of an act organizing the Territories
of Kansas and Nebraska, thereby permitting
Slavery to be introduced into region equal in
extent to the thirteen original States from which
territory, by the solemn Legislative compact of
1920, it was forever excluded and
Whereas such repeal has been effected with
out petition without discussion by the people,
and in defiance of the well-known wishes and
opinions of large majority of the people Of
this State and of the United States; and
Whereas the violation by Congress of the
compact of 1920 has released the people of this
State from all obligation to respect Congress
sional compromises for the extension and per-
petuaton of Slavery; therefore,
Resolred by the Senate and House Of represent
atiUes Of the. State Of Michigan, That we hold
the said repeal and the permission granted by
said Territorial act to introduce Slavery into said
Territories as a violation of mutual compact
between the free States and the slaveholding
States of the Union justified by no necessity,
present or prospective; injurious to the rights
of the former; tending to interrupt the internal
harmony of the country, and to Illustrate the
wellknown purpose of the trainers of the Con-
stitution, who, by gradual legislation, designed
ultimately to put an end to Slavery.
ResolUed, That we are opposed to the further
extension of Slavery, or the recognition or per-
mission thereof in any territory now owned or
which may hereafter be acquired by the United
States
Resolred, That we hold it to be within the
constitutional powers of Congress to abolish
Slavery and the slave trade in all Territories of
the United States and in the District of Co.
lumbia; and that it is their duty, in view of the
e al
pass laws for its immediate suppression and
extinction in all such Territories, and in said
District.
Resolred, That our Senators in Congress be,
and that they are hereby, instructed and our
Representatives requested, to vote for and use
their best exertions to procure the passage of
an act of Congress that shall prohibit the in
PRODUCTION or existence of Slavery in any Of the
Territories of the United States, and especially
in Kansas and Nebraska, and to introduce
without delay bill for this latter purpose.
ResolUed, That the act of Congress of 1850,
known as the Fugitive Slave Law, was, in the
opinion of the people of this State, an unneces-
sary measure; that it contains provisions of
doubtful consttutionalty that the mode of
proceeding under it is harsh, unjust, and re-
pugnant to the moral sense of the people of the
States, cruel and despotic toward the person
claimed as a fugitive, and that we are in favor
of its immediate repeal.
Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be,
and they are hereby, instructed, and our Rep
resentatives requested, to their best exer-
tons to procure the immediate repeal of the act
of 1850, known as the Fugitive Slave Law.
Resolred, That the Governor be requested to
furnish copies of the foregoing preamble and
resolutions to our Senator'S and Representatives
in Congress.
We understand that they have passed the
House.-Ed. Era.