The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-03-07
Resolutions of the Senate Caucus.


The following are the resolutions agreed
upon by the Senate Caucus-Mr. Doug
las and Mr.. Pugh dissenting
Resolred, That in the adoption of the
Federal Constitution, the States adopting
the same acted as free and independent
sovereignties, delegating portion of their
powers to be exercised by the Federal
Government, for the increased security of
each, against dangers domestic as well as
foreign; and that any intermeddling by
any one or more States, or by combina-
ton of their citizens, with the domestic
institutions Of the others, on any pretext,
whether political, moral, OF religious, with
d view to their disturbance or snbversion,
is in violation of the Constitution, insult,
ing to the States so interfered with, en-
dangers their domestic peace and tran
quility-objects for which the Constitution
was formed-and, by necessary conse.
quence, serves to weaken and destroy the
Union itself. ts# -<
2. Resolved, That Negro Slavery, as
ii exists in fifteen States of the Union,
domestic institutions, inherited from their
ancestors, and existing at the adoption of
the Constitution, by which it is recogniz-
ed as constituting an important element
of the apportioument of powers among The
States: and that no change of opinion or
feeling on the art of the non slaveholding
States of the Union in relation to this in
stitution can justify them or their citizens
in open and systematic attacks thereon,
with view to its overthrow; and that all
such attacks are in manifest violation of
the mutual and solemn pledges to protect
and defend each other, given by the States.
respectively, on entering into the consti-
tutional compact which formed the Union,
and are a manifest breach of faith and u
violation of the most solemn obliga-
tion. 1l g1' , go sas lest- frsi
8. Resolred That the Union of these
States rests on the equality of rights and
privileges among the members, aud that it
! is especially the duty of the Senate, which
represents the States in their sovereign
capacity, to resist all attempts to discrimi-
nate either in relation to person or prop
erty, so as in the territories,-which are
/ the common possession of the United
Statcs-to give advantages to the cit
izens of one State which are not equally
secured to tho-e of every other State.
A. Resolred, That neither Congress, nor
Territorial Legislatures, either by direct
legislation, or by legislation of an INDIRECT
aud unlriendly nature, possess the power
to annul or impair the constitutional righ,
of any citizen of the United States to .ake
his slave property into,the common Ter
ritories; but it is the duty of the Fedora
F Government there to afford for that. a,
for other species of property. the .needfu
protection, and if experience should at any
4 time prove that the Judiciary does no
possess power to insure adequate protec
tion, it will thea become the duty of Con
gress to supply such deficiency. -
5. Reso 'vsd. eThat the Inhabitants o
an organized Territory of the Uuite'
States. when they rightfully form a con
! s,ituton, 10 be admitted as State; int
the Union, may then, for the first time
4 ithc VIC POopiO VI q oo'sIS "nSu 'oAuANAo
new constitution. decide for themselve
/, whether Slavery. as domestic Institution
. shall be maintained OF prohibited within
their jur sdic ION, and if Congress sha
, admit them as a State. 'they shall be re
ceived into The Union with or without sla
very, as their Constitution MY prescrib
! at the time of their admission. sist
q g.. Resolvsd, That the provision q
the Constitution for the rendilion of yfu
a gtires from serv or labor, without tn
, adoption OF which the Uaion could no
/. have been formed" and the laws of lis;
aud 1850, which were enacted to secur'
its ext cutiop, and the main features 9
which, being. similar, bear the impress. c
, nearly seventy years sanction by IN
highest judicial authority, have lunques
a tionable claim to the respect and observ
apce of all who enjoy the benefits of ou
a compact of Union; aud that the acts Q
State Legislatures to defeat The purpos
: or nulify the. requirements of that provis
ion, ana the laws, made; in pursuance 6
1t, are b, s,ile in character, subversive 9
!, the Constitution, revolutionary in thei
effect, and, if persisted liz, must, sooner o
later, lead the States injured by sue
breach Of the compact. to exercise thei
Judgment as to the proper mode an
measures Of redress. i .s's..,b ga Efso,-
-A- 7"- Vermont for Douglas. 't'la