Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-22

without the interference of Congress or any other au
tbority whatever We believe that las TO the status of
slavery in the common territories Of the Union the ques
tions concerning are legal questions involving the ap
ncaton and construction of the laws and Constitution
of the country and as SUCH the proper subjects of u
dicia cognizaace We believe that the Supreme Court
of the United States is the tribunal of the last resort
created by the Constitution OF the Union, for the pur
nose of solemny adjudcstng and determining all such
questions and we are ready and willing to abide BY
tain and vndicate its judgements. We believe that the
great prncples of American liberty aud public law
Gure that the territorial communities when forming their
constitutions of government preparatory to admission
into the confederacy of States, should be left entirely
free to frame their domestic institutions uniIammeled by
the authority of Congress or any other Interference
whatever We believe that whilst our legislature should
by all constitutional ways and MEANS make
sary and proper provision for strengthening the defen
sve attitude Of the State and developing its material
prosperity the Of South Carolina recently
municated by an extraordinary mission, should be
spectfly declined As the just expression of these views
we adopt the following resolutions:
l. RESOLVED, That we have Constitution, framed by
the wisdom of fathers, in iraternal spirit OF con-
ccSson and compromise, aud intended by the words oi
its preamble ito form more perfect union, establish jus
tce insure domestic tranquility provide for the
defence promote the general welfare and secure the
blessings of liberty ourselves and to pOsterity
Most goriousy have these purposes been fulfilled and
the review of the history of country given under
this Constitution only strengthens and confirms our un-
wayering devotion its perpeulty. In tal obedience
TO the advice aud warning of the Father of Country
our own Washington, we properly estimate the immense
value of national union to our collective and ndiyd
ual happiness we cherish cordial habitual and i'm
movable attachment to il; accustomiug ourselves 10
think and speak of it, as of the palladium of po
cal safety and prosperity watching for its preservation
with jealous anxiety; discountcnancing whatever may
suggest even suspicion that can n any event be aban
ioned and Indignantly rowning upon the first dawniug
e ulin pIO
from the rest or to eniecbe the sacred ties which
link together the various parts.
=. ReSoired That deprecate as both unwise and
opposed the letter and spirit OF our institutions of Fed
era and State governments the inrher agitation OF the
question of domestic slavery either in the National Con
creSs or elsewhere IL is matter for the sole and un
disturbed control and management OF the several States
whether now in being yet TO be created who may
continue establish as part OF their social and do
mesc institutions We believe that IN the passage OF
the act for the recapure of fugitive slaves, Congress has
fulfilled its whole duty on the subject and complied with
a plain requirement of the Constitution, that il is the
plain and bounden duty of our ieowcltzens throughout
the cOnedegacy TO render faithful obedience to that
law and especially to orbcar from any attempt to OBJ
tain further legislation upon this subject that 'as the
status of slavery the common Territories Of the Union,
the questions concerning legal questions involving
the application aud construction Of the laws and COnst
tuition of the country as such are the proper sub
jects Of judicial coguznce' that the Supreme Court Of
the United States is the tribunal OF the last resort
ted for the purpose of soemny adiudcating all such
questions and ready and willing to abide by,
tain and vindcae its sudgmcns and that the great prn
cples Of American Liberty and Public Law require that
the Territorial committees when forming their COnstu-
tons of government preparatory to admission to the
confedelacy Of States should be left entirely free under
the Constitution Of the Union, to frame their domestic
institutions untrlmmeledby by the authority of Congress
or any other interference whatever.
s. Rssoired That entertaining as we do, the well
considered and clearly Ineligible opinions expressed in
the foregoing resolution, cannot unite cooperate
with either the Democratic or Republican parties. We
believe that their pending controversy narrowed down
TO the single subject of domestic slavery is aught with
evil best interests and if continued with the Vi
ruen bitterness which has so far characterized it,
only lead TO results dread TO contemplate. We
estly repc the demand of the Democratic party for
slave code for the Territories made is under the
threat of dsunion; aud d. with equal earnestness,
repe the fundamental proposition upon which the Re
publican party has pacedits organzaon that Congress,
or the people Of the Territories, prior TO the formation
of State Constitution, ought. by enactment of law, to
prohibit the introduction OF slavery into the Territories.
Both these propositions without any practical value
either in the present the future party cries
to win success aud can only produce the evil re-
suits in the future they have in the past We reason
ably fear that the Democratic party drifting into
disnioH and that the Republican may also be driven
into political abolitioni,m
L. Resolved That we are loyal and true TO the Consti-
tuition Laws and Institutions OF our own State OF Nirgi
MIA jealous Of her honor and fame, and determined at
all times and under all circumstances to vindcae and
defend her rights at every hazard aud to the last ex
remity With the most profound indignation, We con
denim the lawess and reasonable nrOads OF Northern
auatcsm at arpers Ferry and congratulate ourselves
upon the prompt firm and dignied administration of
criminal justice by the Judicial authorities Of State
which consigned the murderous traitors TO traitors
grave.
81, 1aliiarota ;t,I, tla
Legislature Of our State should courteousy yet firmly de-
cline the overture Of the State OF South Carolina recently
made by extraordinary mission for the appointment OF
Commissioners to meet others 10 be appointed by the
saychoding States with the ayowed object and purpose
of taking the ncpient steps for the formation of South
ern coufederacy This proposition has not yet been be-
fore the people, is Of such striking Importance, and is at
this time so ncaled for by any of the probable e1igen
cies of the future that our representatives IN either House
Of the General Assembly canrot and ought not to give
their cOuntenance or support In this connection We
frankly declare that the opinion declaration of the
recognized leaders Of the Democratic party that the
constitutional election of President entertaining the
views Of the Republican any other party from whose
policy or they may dissent Is III Itself sufficient
for secession from dissolution OF the Union OF
these States is uusOund ald unworthy of any citizen
protesting and holding allegiance TO the great American
principles of government which lie at the very founda-
ton of our State aud FedeHl Constitutions Let who
NAV be elected President N the mode and upon the
terms prescribed by the Constitution shall yield a
cheerful submission such election as faithful and
waverng adhereut and supporters OF the Union Instead
of fostering promoting any scheme tending to dsun
ion we would respectfully urge the Legislature diligently
to strengthen the defensive attitude of the State and in
crease its material prosperity in agriculture manufactures
and commerce, by all constitutional ways and means
Having thus given opinions upon the questions
which now Immediately agate the American people and
disturb the harmony of the UnOn avail ourselves of
the occasion to declare opinions with equal rankness
and dstinctuess upon other questions Of general impor
tance which we deem the legitimate subjects of legisla-
ton in the National Congress.
Adopting the preamble OF an act Of the Legislature of
South Carolina, passed in lsOS
"Whereas the establishment and encouragement of
domestic manufactures is conducive to the interests of
the State by adding Incentives to industry, and
being the means of dispoSng to advantage the surplus
productions of the agrcuMrst and their establishment
in our country is not only expedient but polite in
dering us independent of foreign nations
c. Rcsolced That the nyenue required for the ex-
pense of an economical vet efficient administration of the
General Government should be raised chiefly by duties
on imports and that in evng such duties in the rates
mode of valuation and collection, direct regard should
he had primarily to the required aud the pre-
venton of frauds and secondly to foster promote and
encourage our own domestic manufactures.
T. Resoloed That the proceeds of the sales Of the pub
lie lands should form no part OF the ordinary revenue for
the support of the government; but that the net pro-
ceeds thereof should be distributed amongst the several
States of the Conederacy according plan of equita
table apporionment
As strictly consonant with the principles which have
prompted and sanctioned the foregoing resolutions:
g. Resolced That Congress should promo'e and u'e
inland communication between the Atlantic and Pacific
States of the Coniederacy, by railroads aRd common
roads so that by their construction and m mintenance
that easy aud direct intercourse may be secured which
is essential to the Union and prosperity of both these
grand divisions