Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-10-28

nhll eHectuaf1y prevent Tue iurlhtS iuIu-
uction of slavery into such State: and that
due regard to the true interest of such
State, as well as Of the other States, re-
uires that the same oh ould be doue.
RESOLVED, That copy o. the above and
resolution be transmitted by the
speaker of the Senate to each of the Sem
tors and Representatives from this State
n the Congress of the United States"
The resolutions of the State of Pennsyl
1an ia,-the "Keystone of the Federal Arch"
which but few days ago SO nobly spoke
ior Freedom and the Rights of Man, are
peculiarly interesting at this time. wei
quote from the same volume Benton's
Abr idgemen:, Pr. as2:
"The Senate and House of Representa-
tves of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylva-
mia, whilst they cherish the right of the in
dividusl States to express their opinions
upon all public measures proposed in the
Congress of the Union, are aware that its
usefulness must in great degree depend
upon the discretion with which it is exer-
cised. They believe that the right ought
not to be resorted to upon trivial subjects or
unimportant occasions, but they are also
persuaded that there are moments when
the neglect to exercise it would be dere-
liction of public duty.
"Such an occasion as in their Judgment
demands the frank expression OF the sen:i-
ments of Pennsy ylvania is now presented
A measure was ardentlv supported in the
last Congress OF the United States, and will
probably be q earnestly urged during the
existing session of that body, which has a
palpable tendency TO impair the political re-
laiions of the several States; which is cal
culated TO mar the social happiness oi the
present and future generations; which, il
adopted, would impede the march of hu-
msnity and freedom through the world affix
and perpetuate an odious stain upon the
present race--a measure, in brief, which
proposes to spread the crimes and cruelties
of slavery from the banks of the Mississippi
to the shores Of the Pacific.
"When measures of this character are
seriously advocated in the republican Con-
gress of America, in the nineteenth century
the several States are invoked by the duty
which they entertain for the memory of the
founders Of the Republic, and by tende
regard for posterity, to protest against it
adoption, to refuse to covenant with crime
and to limit tte range of an evil that alread..
hangs in swful boding over so la.gea Por
ton o. the Union. '@
"Nor can such a protest be entered b.
any State with greater propriety than b.
Pennsylvania. This Commonwealth has a
sacredy respected the rights Of other State
as it has been careful of it's own. 1t ha
been the invariable aim Of the people G
Pennsylv lvanis to ex tend TO the universe, b
their example, the .unsdulterated blessing
of civi, and religious freedom. 1t is thei
pride, that they have been at all times tn
practical advocates OF those improvement
and charities amongst men which are S
well calculated to enable t,hem
answer the purposes Of their Creator
and, above ell, they may boast that the
were foremost in removing the pollution {
slavery frem amongst them.
"Under these conyict ions. and in fun PEI
: suasion That upon this topic there is but on
opinion in Pennsylvania
"Resolosd, by the Senate and House of r.
presentatiUes Of the Commonwealth of Penn
suluania, That the Senators and Repr,
sentatiy es of this State in the Congress
! the Uaiisd States be, and they are hereb,
requestedto vote against the admission
t any territory as State in the Union, unle.
"the further introduction of slavery or il
voluntary servitude. except for the punisl
ment of crimes, whereof the party sha
have been duly convicted, shall be prohib;
ed and all children born within the sa
territory, after the admiss ion into the Unio
as State. shall be free, but may be he
to service until the age Of twenty five years
"Resolusd. That the Governor be, and b
is hereby, requested to cause copy Of til
: foregoing preamble and resolution to I
, trans mitted to each of the Senators ar
Representatives of the State in the Coz
gress of the United States" ..,-
Here are the resolutions of the gre;
e State of New York. same volsme, PIP. ~.
Whereas the inhibiting the further e,
tension of slavery in these United States
a subject of deep concern smong the pc,
pie of this State: and whereas We consid,
slavery as an evil much to be deplored; an
I that every constitutions barrier should I
interposed to prevent its further extension
, and thai the Constitution of the Unite
> States clearly gives Congress the right I
require of new States, not comprised will
in the original boundaries of these Unite
States, the prohibition OF slavery, as a CO,
ditiun of its admission into the UnioI
therefore,
"Resolued, (f the honorable Senate col
e cur herein That our Senators be instruc
ed, and our Representatives in Congress
requested, to oppose the admission as
State into the Union of any Territory n,
[ comprised as aforesaid, without making ii
} prohibition of slavery therein an indispen.
able condition of admission: therefore,,
"Resotued, That measures be taken b
the Clerks of the Senate and Assembly
Of this State, to transmit copies of the pr
ceding resolutions to each of our Senator
and Representatives in Congress"
We would also cali the attention of ou
friend to a note at the bottom of page 224
Vol. II, of aBenton's Arrangement of th
Debates of Congress. This was in tn
session o. 1888. The House hal been Ell
gagged in debate upon the question