The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-02-01
Mr.. Lakes B,

| The following is the bill li
House by Mr.. Lake, Represe
City of Vicksburg, proposia
the States to provide suci
the Constitution Of the Url
secure the equal rights Of
Union, or their independent
The measure looks to an al
sectional controversy upon fair and homo
terms, or to a separation and an equitaolo
vision of the common property of the States
in the event such an adjustment cannot be Ell
fected:
4 Bill to be entitled an act to Gala Cpltcntt05l
to change the Constitution Of the ciateA
States Of AnerTea.
WHEREAS, By the the 9Th article Of the
the Constitution of the United States oil
America, it is provided that the Congress shall
on the application of the Legislature Of two
thirds of the States, call convention for pro-
posing amendments to the Constitution; and
whereas in the opinion of the Legislature Of
the State of Mississippi, it is expedient and
desirable that convention should be held for
IIle puIpOoC VI plOpOoliS5 Su ii dllSUUIlcIlIS 10
the Constitution of the United States as will
secure the equal rights of each State in the
Union, or their independence out of it. There
fore n
Be it enacted by the Legislature Of tie State
of Mississippi, That the Congress of the
United States is hereby invoked on the part OF
the Legislature of Mississippi to call the Con-
vention contemplated by the 9Th article of the
Constitution Of the United States, for the pur-
pose of amending that Constitution SO as to
protect each State in the enjoyment of per-
feet equality, both with reference to the rights
of persons and property under that Constitt-
ton, either in the States or Territories of the
United States, and OF perfect ana absolute
immunity from all aggression and interference
of any one Of the States with the institutions,
domestic, social or political, of any of the
others; and if that cannot be accomplished,
upon basis Of entire fairness and equal and
exact justice: then of making provisions for
the peaceful and equitable dissolution Of the
Union of these States.
Bet further enacted That in the opinion OF
this Legislature, that comfy which should ex-
ist between the several States Of the confed-
eracy, ought to prompt each of them, especial
ly in view Of the existing relations which now
prevail, to consent cheerfully to the proposed
Convention, as means by which the harmo-
ny which ought to exist among the common
members of common government may be re-
stored, and the continued duration and perpet-
ual existence Of the present form of govern
ment secured, and the cause of STRIFE and dis
cord forever set at rest; or if after dispas-
sionate and deliberate attempt to reconcile and
remove these differences they are found to be
irreconcileable then, peacefully, and as indie
pendent and honorable States to agree to
abolish the common government which binds
iuto one these discordant clements, and &c
divide by just and equal means tie common
interests and property among the different
members of the confederacy.
Be 1t further enacted, That in the belief that
this act Of simple justice will be granted by
each State in this Union, to the solemn and
earnest request of this State. and that this
convention will be called by the Congress OF
the United States now in session, on the APP
plicati0n OF the requisite number Of States,
this Legislature, in the belief that the Conven-
ton will be composed OF the number Of dele
gates equal to the representation Of each State
in the Congress Of the United States, viii
elect five delegates to represent the State o.
Mississippi in the said Convention, should the
same be called as earnestly asked for by this
State.
Be it further enacted, That the Governor Of
this State cause copies Of this act TO be trans
mitted to each of the Governors of the differ
ent States, with the request that they VIII
lay the same before the Legislatures Of THEN
respective States, at the earliest possible mo-
ment; and that it also be transmitted to our
Senators and Representatives in Congress, to
be laid before that body; and that this act
take effect and Ike in force from and after its
passage.