The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-18
The Legislature Of Rhode island ON the Subj
Ject OF slavery.

The following report was made in the Rhode
Island House OF Representatives OH the 18th inst -
Executive communications have been received
fom the Legislatures of the States of Arkansas Yer
mont, Maine and Massachusetts, containing pream-
bles and resolutions on the subject Of slavery; the
organization Of the Territory of Kansas; its inva-
sion by armed citizens Of Missouri; the Fugitive
Slave law; the abrogation Of the Missouri compro.
mise; on slavery in the abstract; the repeal of
laws authorizing slavery in the District of Columbia
and the Territories; the repeal of the Fugitive
Slave law; the future nonadmisson of any State to
the Union without condition to exclude slavery
and other matters relating to the exciting political
topics OF the day.
And this General Assembly, having maturely con-
side ed the said communications, and the subjects
which they embrace, do resolve,
That the compromises in our federal constitution
should be faithfully adhered to by every Citizen and
that the laws which have been or may be passed
by Congress to carry out such compromises should
be observed and obeyed until they shall have been
declared unconstitutional by the highe It tribunal
into to allay an alarming excitement which threat
ened TO disturb the public peace, and to produce
sectional collision resulting in civil war; and threat
ening dissolution of the Union, was made by the
motives and that its repeal by the thirtyt Con-
gress is signal violation of honor of justice and Of
plighted faith
That Congress, having the right to pass decla,
the territories is imperatvely called upon to exer
else that right, without delay
That the atrociOus interference Of citizens of Mis-
souri,, and others not residents in Kansas with the
organization of the government of that Territory
deserve the indignant rebuke Of the Legislatures
and people Of every State; and that the State OF
Missouri is bound to disavow all participation in
those acts of violence and outl ngc, without delay
suiier The obloquy due for such fragrant VIOLATION
Of justice, law and right
That it is inexpedent for individual States to
make tender of men or arms to Kansas to aid in
rerellihg invaders, as it would tend directly to a
sectional civil war; and it cannot be doubted that
the President OF the United States will exercise his
plenary constitutional power to prevent the rccur-
renee Of such violence and outrage.
That at q period Of such excite ment as the pre-
sent when parties as was foreseen by the Father of
his Country, are characterized "by geographical
distinctions and the North and South, fred with
yindctive feelings, arrayed against each other in
hostile attitudes it Is the part Of wisdom we'll a.
patriotism for each State Legislature In its express
sons of opinions these subjects Of agitation to be
temperate, moderate and candid, nor suffer the i'm
pulse OF excited feeling to transport them beyond
the bounds Of reason or to impair that veneration
for the Union which il paramount to the most
laudable objects of all the political parties of the
day
That his Excellence the Governor be requested to
forward copy of thes resolutions to the President
OF the United States to tie Governor of each OF the
Safes and Territories, ard to each Of our Senators
and Repres entatiyes In Congress, with request
That our delegates in that body will their best
efforts and influence to secure by wise and judcious
legislation, to every State aud Territory, its consti
tuticnal right.