The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-06-20

| her power, in the actual condition of Texas, to
accomplish the objects Of her policy, unless pre-.
vented by the most efficient measures; and that,
if accomplished, it would lead TO a state of
things dangerous in the extreme to the adjacent
State, and the Union itself. Seeing this, this
Government has been compelled, By the necessi-
~ of the case and a regard 10 its constitutional
obligations, TO take the step it has, as the only
certain and etfectual means of preventing it, 1t
has taken it in full view Of all possible conse.
Guence> but not without desire and hope that
full and fax disclosure OF the causes which in
duced il to do so would prevent the disturbance
of the harmony subsisting between the two
countries, which the United States is anxious TO
preserve"
llr. President, the war which Mexico
had taken the precaution 20 assure our
Government would be the consequence of
the annexation, followed Immediately and
an appeal was made to the patriotism Of the
Northern Democracy to stand by the flag
of the country. This call was promptly
responded to; but the outraged Democra-
cy of the North. now fully conscious Of the
ulterior designs of the slave power to ex-
tend that blighting institution across the
continent, to the shores of the Pacific, with
, almost entire unanimity determined to plant
themselves on the platform Of Jefferson,
and in the first appropriation which was
made by the popular branch Of the Govern
ment, they appended to it the Wilmot pro-
: viso; which required that in all the terri.
: tory to be acquired. as the result Of that
war, slavery should be forever prohibited,
except for the punishment Of crime.
Mr.. President, of the noble stand taken
by the people and the Democracy Of the
North in that crisis, desire to make a
record. They were true to the instincts of
!, freedom, and they spoke out heartily every
where in favor of the precepts and the ex-
.. ample of Jefferson, and against the spread
of human bondage At that time the
Democratic party was in the ascendant in
nearly all the free States, and the very
! name produced talismanic effect, because
it was believed to be in sympathy with the
laboring masses. l begin with tho State
of Michigan, at that time one of the strong.
est and most reliable Democratic States in
the Union. In lS47, her Legislature re.
{ solved:
"That, in the acquisition Of any new terrific
E ritOry, whether by purchase, conquest, or other
/. wise, We deem it the duty of the General Gov.
[ ernment to extend over the same the ordinance
of l7s7 with all its rights and privileges, cond
tions and immunities."
In 1S49, the following resolutions, Of
fered by Hon. L. Fl. Thomson, were adop'
: ted:
ResolUed 6y tie Senate and House of Rep
rese,,tqtires Of tie State Of Michigan, That wt
$ consider the result of the late war with Mexico
/ in the acquisition Of the Territories OF New
v Mexico and California, as an enduring monument
to the honor of our gallant army, regulars anG
volunteers, officers and soldiers; and that We
rejoice in the prospect of extending over thai
l. country the benefcent laws and institutions Of
g free people.
"ResoIped, That We are in favor OF the funda
IT mental principles of the ordinance of l7S7; ant
l. although We respect the opinions of many EN-
o inent statesmen and jurists, that slavery is
e mere local institution, which cannot exist with
0. out positive laws authorizing its existence, ye
b We believe that Congress has the power, an,
IN that it is their duty, to prohibit by Legislative,
10 enactment, the introduction or existence of sa
very within any of the Territories of the Unite,
D. States, now or hereafter to be acquired.
'e "Resolved, That our Senators in Congress b.
le instructed, and our Representatives requested
r to use all honorable means to accomplish the Oh
ut ects expressed in the foregoing resolution an
m that the Governor OF this State be requested
In forward copies of these resolutions to our Sens
tors and Representatives in Congress"
e In the same year, the Democratic Stat
in Convention, which nominated Governo
to and State officers, passed unanimously th
following:
II "Resolred, That We are opposed to the exter
~ sion of slavery into the Territories of New Me,
oe leo and California believing them to be now FIRE
IL in virtue of the laws of Mexico, and that its e
sc tablishment in either of those Territories ougl
" " to be prevented"
be In the year 1917, the Legislature
a New Hampshire, then largely Democratic
y. resolved
ct "That in all the territory which shall heres
H. ter be added or acquired by the United State
III where slavery does not exist at the time Of sue
an addition or requirement, neither slavery nor i
Is voluntary servitude, except for the punshme
ne OF crime, whereof the party has been duly co
u, victed, ought ever TO exist but the same shou
to ever remain free and we are opposed to Il
fh extension of slavery over any such territory;
Ter that we also approve the vote of our Senate
ne and Representatives in Congress in favor OF Il
Z
Of Of In 1913, the Legislature Of that Stat
which had an overwhelming Democratic IN
6, jority resolved as follows:
"That We are in favor of the passage of
,ss law, by Congress, forever prohibiting slave
,Iv in New Mexico and California, and in all 9th
nts Territories now acquired, or hereafter to
his acquired, by the United States, in which s
ITO very does not exist at the time of such acq
Ia sition.'
EN- And in lSi0, the New Hamshire Leg
IN, lature, still strongly Democratic, unal
AN an mously adopted the following resolution
ave- "ResoIred Jy the Senate and House of RI
arc resentotives, ih General Court eonrened, Tn
oon opposed TO every form Of oppression, the peo,
on of New Hampshire have ever viewed with de
es regret the existence Of slavery in this Unio
tho that while they have stesdfastly supported
TRY sections in their constitutional rights they hs
no, only lamented its existence as great soc
nts evil, but regarded il as fraught with dan;
viii to the peace and welfare of the nation.
non "Resolged, That while We respect the rig
arn of the slaveholding as well as the free porto
mn. Of this Union, while We will not willingly C.
. of sent that wrong be done TO any member OF {
this glorious confederacy to which We belong, We
,nly firmly and unalterably opposed to the extens
the OF slavery over any portion OF American :
.,u. now free.
nen "Resolred, That, il. our opinion, Congr
has the constitutional power 10 abolish the al