Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-03-10
RESOLUTIONS OF THE DEMOCRATIC sENA-
TORIAL CAuCuS Nt

IOhiaL OAUOUS.
We publish below, says the Washington Consti-
tuition, series of resolutions finally agreed upon by
the Democratic members of the Senate as an ex-
preston of their united views on the subject of sla
very, and the requirements of the Constitution in
connection Herewith. These resolutions were yes
terday adopted in caucus of the Democratic Sena-
tors and will go forth to The country not only with
the weight which will be attached to them on &C
count of the high source from which they emanat-
ed but with the added force of sound reason and
invincible argument:
/. ResOlred That in the adoption of the Federal
Constitution the States adopting the same acted
severay free and independent sovereignties dele
eating portion of their powers to be exercised by
the Federal Government for the increased security
of each against dangers, domestic well foreign
and that any intermeddling by any one or more
States, or by combination of their citizens, with
the domestic institutions of the Others any pre-
text whatever, political, moral, or religious, with
the view to their disturbance or subversion is in
violation Of the Constitution, insulting to the States
so interfered with, cndangers their domestic peace
and tranquility-objects for which the Constitution
was formed-and, by necessary consequence, tends
to weaken and destroy the Union itself
3 Res0tred, That negro slavery, it exists in
fifteen States of this Union composeS an important
portion Of their domestic institutions, inherited from
their ancestors, and existing at the adoption Of the
Constitution by which it is recognized cons.itu-
ting an important element in the apportionment Of
powers among the States; and that no change of
opinion or feeling the part of the non-slavehod
ing States Of the Union in relation to this institu-
lion can justify them or their citizens in open or
covert attacks thereon with view to its overthrow
and that all such attacks in manifest violation of
the mutual and solemn pledge to protect and defend
each other given by the States, respectively,
tering into the constitutional compact which formed
the Union, and are manifest breach of faith and
violation of the most solemn obligations.
3. ReSOtred, 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
reign capacity TO resist all attempts to discriminate
either in relation to persons property in the Ter
ritores, which are the common possessions of the
United States, so as to give advantages to the ct-
Zens of one State which not equally assured to
those of every other State.
t. ReSoLred That neither Congress nor terrific
rial legislature, whether by direct legislation or leg
islation of an indirect and unrendy character pos
seSs power to annul or impair the constitutional
right of any citizen of the United States to take his
slave property into the common Territories, and
there hold and enjoy the same while the territorial
condition remains.
.. ResOlced, That, if experience should at any
time prove that the Judiciary and Executive authori
ty do not possess means to insure adequate protec-
ton to constitutional rights in Territory and if
the territorial government should fail refuse to
provide the necessary remedies for that purpose, it
will be the duty of Congress to supply such def
cheney.
6. ReSolred, That the inhabitants of Territory
of the United States, when they rlghtfuy form a
constitution to be admitted a State into the
Union, may then, for the first time like the people
of State, when forming new constitution, decide
for themselves whether slavery, domestic inSti-
tuition, shalt maintained or prohibited within their
jurisdiction and "they shall be received into the
Union, with without slavery their constitution
may prescribe at the time Of their admission"
Z. ResOlred, That the provision of the Consttu-
ton for the rendition of fugitves from service or
labor, without the adoption of which the Union
could not have been formed and that the laws of
1893 and 1880, which enacted to secure its ex-
ecution and the main features of which, being SINH
lar bear the impress nearly seventy years OF sane
ton by the highest judicial authority, should be
honestly and faithfully observed and maintained by
all who enjoy the benefits of our compact of Union ;
and that all acts ofindvduas of State legislatures
to defeat the purpose nullify the requirements of
= that provision and the laws made in pursuance of
it. hostile in character subversve of the Consti-
tuition, and revolutionary in their effect