The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-02-15
Resolutions offered yin the u. s. Senate
by Hon. Jefferson Davis,

Il sar : Q 2 i
[ The following resolutions were offered in
the Senate by Hon. Jefferson Davis, on the
I'd inst Theysembody the doctrines which
constitute the essence Of the States Right
creed on tie subject Of slavery, and to the
support of which, the entire South and the
trae men Of the North must .fally bf the
maintenance of the cOnstituticnal rights Of the
assaiied section. 1hE'sabaSittihg them, Mr..
Davis remarked that he desired to get aivote
upon them separately, and If that vote could
be had without debate, it would be more agree
able to him ...... ,........ ~.
l. Rssoited,. That in the adoption Of the
| Federal Constitution, the States adopting the
same acted seveTally as free and independent
so4ereignties, deleeatihg a portion of their
powers 10 be exercised by the Fedenl Govern
lnent for the increased security Of each against
dangers, domestic as wen as foreign; and that
any intermeddling by any one OF more States
or hy a combination Of their citizens with the
domestic institutionsof the others, on any pre-
| text, whether political, moral or religious.
with the view to their disturbance or snbyer,
son, is in violationo the Constitution. ins,ilt-
their domestic peace and tranquilty--Obiects
for which the Constitution was forned-and.
by necessary consequence, serves to weaken
and destroy the Union ITSELF
& Resotcel, That negro slavery. as II ex-
istsin fifteen States of this Union, composes
an important portion of their domestic institu
ions, inherited from their ancestors and exist
ing at the adoption Of the Constitution. b
W hieh tits recognized as constituting an IN
pertaut element Of the spportionment Of poS-
egs among the States; and that no chaageof !,
opinion or feeling on the part Of the non-sayer
holding States Of the Union; in relation 20 thls
Institution; can justify them or their c'czens
in open and systematic attacks theron, win
a xislza ta.its szaz.l aEd thas 81 attacks
are in manifest violation Of the mutual and
solemn pledge to protect and defend each
other, given 10y the States respectively ON en-
tering into the constitutional compact which
formed the Union, and are manifest breach
of faith and a violation Of the most solemn OBJ
legations.
u o. Resozssi That the Union of these States
rests on the equality OF rights and privileges
among its members, and that it is especially
the duty Of the Senate, which represents the
States in their sovereign capacity, to resist all
attempts to discriminate, either in relation to
person or property, so al, in the Territories
which are the common possession ofthe United
States-to give advantages TO the citizens Of
one State which are not equally secured to
those OF every ether State. = = 5a
l. Resolgea, That neither Congress nor n
territorial legislature, whether by direct legis-
ation or legislation Of an indirect and unfnend-
ly nature, possesses the power to annul OF i'm
pair the constitutional right of any citizen Of
the United States TO take his slave property
into the common territories but it is the duty
Of the Federal Government there to afford for
that as for other species Of property the need
fjiI projections; and if experience should at any
time prove that the Judiciary does not possess
power to insure adequate protection, it will
then become the duty Of Congress to supply
such deficiency.
). Resa.vei, That the inhabitants Of an or
ganizcd Territory Of the United States, when
they rghtluiiy form constitution to be ad-
mtted as State into the Union, may then.
Tor the first titne-lil5e the people Of a State
when forming new constitutions decide for
themselves whether slavery, as a domestic in
stitution shall be maintained or prohibited,
within their jurisdiction; and IL Congress shall
admit them as a State " they shall be received
into the L mon with or without slavery, as
their Constitution may prescribe At the time
of their admission.
G., ResolVed, That the provision Of the Con-
stitution for the rendition Of fugitiyes from
service or labor, without the adoption Of
which the Union could not have been Grmed,"
and the laws of 1898 and 1850 which were
enacted to secure its execution, and the main
eatureS of which being similar, bear the i'm
press Of nearly seventy years Of sanction by
fba birheSt iutirial m tharitu have linoueS-
sionable claim to the respect and observance
)f al who enjoy the benefits Of our compact
Of Union; ana that the acts Of State Legisla-
tures to defeat the purpose or nullify the re-
guirements Of that provision, and the laws
made in pursuance Of il are hostile incharsc-
ter, subYersiye Of the Constitution. revolution
lry in their effect, and, il persisted in, must,
sooner or later, lead the Statesinjured BY such
breach of the compact to exercise their judg-
ment as to the proper mode and measure Of
redress.