Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-05-03
nIn..nchusetts ResoIves on Kansns.

Massachusetts Resolves on Knnsns.
The following are the resolves reported in the
Senate on Thursday, by Mr. Breckenridge of
Hampshire, on behalf of the Joint Committee
having that subject in charge. They are a fair
State on that matter;
Ehfreas the Congress of the United States has enacted
alaw establishing government in the Territory of Kan
which opens the SAID territory to the introduction of
Slavery;
Of Kanzas interfering with the political rights and fran
chses Of the settlers;
Ind Vhereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
has asked in vain, hrou zh its legislature the State gov
eminent Of Missouri and the President of the United
States to protect the settlers of the Territory Of Kanzas
against the unparalleled to which they have been
subj -ctsd-Thich ourag have been hesped them
by the slave interest in this country for the purpose of
forcing SLAVERY upon Kanzas against the will of its iuhah
itans and against the wishes Of majority of the people
And RAersas Through the neglest OF the government
OF the United protect the settlers and redress
their wrongs, they huve been lef as last resource to
fall back upon the original right of selpreservation, and
have appealed the American people for justification
and assistance; therefore,
Reso rsd, That we have heard the call for sympathy
and sid which has the people Of the United
States from the settlers in Ksnzss, with the deepest soc
ads that their susrngs have touched hearts, and
the manly defence of their rights has admraton
and Will do not claim that State Legislature,
clothed with power TO initiate for their
lief nevertheless present their case to the people this
Commonwealth in full confidence that they will use all
Just and constitutional to aiu these heroic in
maintaining and defending their liberties.
ResoiUed, That the inhabitants of Kanzas are justha
bic in declining recognize the code Of laws which
forced upon the Territory by the act of body of
calling themselves legislature, gd yet, composed in
part Of persons who not seersand that the Pres
ident of the United States endorsing those enactmens
the laws of s. and his threat that the set
tiers shall be msdeo obey them at the point Of the
hayore, has exhibited serviiy to sectional slave in
IL ,,t.l
of justice and Freedom which merit the condemnation Of
the American people.
Resolved, That this is ht occasion to re-assert the
principle oieu declared TO be the doctrine Of Masss
chusts that Congress- has power to prohibit slavery in
the Territories Of the United States and that this power
should be exercised TO It's full extent.
Res0iU d. That the nrigues thrust slavery upon
ksnzas have heen growing desperate since the
repeal Of the Missouri prohibition until the question
free CT slave territory is become prominent and vital is
sue before the country and threatens drive the nation
into civil war, hold that the speedy admission of
Kanzas into the Uuon free State, is Of
first importance welfare of that Territory, and to
the tranquility Of the United States and that Sena
tors and Representatives in Congress earnestly re-
quesed to every exeron to bring about this result
ReSolped, That His Excel'ency the Governor be re-
quesed 70 transmit copy Of these resolves to the Pres
dent the United Sats TO the Governors OF each Of the
States and Territories ard to each of our Senators and
Representatives in Congress.
The following is the minority resolution,
ported by Mr. Leavitt Of Hampden, of the Senate,
anu ~ ~ DAoHA VI OutSutiSs VI tAt 11OuSC
Resoived That the people of Kansas free and indie
penden fully capable Of making their laws and
uating their domestic affairs under the Constitution OF
the country they in their judgment shall deem most
coneu i've to their interests, and that it is nexpe
dent for Massachusetts interfere NEEDLE with their
affairs in any inner whatever.
Now, we would like to ask these two champi-
ons of the Pierce democracy, who reported this
resolve, if they really suppose the people of
Kanzas are fully capable of making their own
laws and regulating their own affairs,' why they
have no censures TO cast upon the citizens of a
neighhoring State, who invaded that territory,
and forced upon it legislature, which, backed
up by the General Government, is endeavoring to
force upon the people there domestic institu-
tions " in utter variance with their wishes?
If Missourians, uncondemned. may interfere
in the affairs of Kanzas," to so outrageous an
extent, why may not the people of Massachusetts,
have the right barely to express an opinion az to
the propriety of such acts We distrust that
species of democracy which requires Massachu-
sets to be dumb, over so infamous an outrage on
the rights of popular sovereignty" as the adj
ministration connives at and backs up in Kanzas.