The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-01-30
Kentucky Constitutional Union Convention

This convention met in Louisville the Sth inst,
and adjourned the 9Th ex-governor Helm presided
On the second day the Hon Garrett Davis from the
committee resolutions, appointed to meet similar
committee appointed by the democratic Union conven
tion reported that the two committees had met in Joint
session. and after due considerations he happy to
say he instructed to report series of resolutions
which had hecn adopted and approved by the commit
tees Of both conventions. John VI. Harlan then read
follows:
Resolved, That the people of Kentucky place the
highest estimate upon the Union of these States on
fair and just to all Of its members; it is Union
made and commended by our patriotic ancestors
priceless legacy to be preserved by their children
that it will not cost title Of the patriotism and for
beaIance it that it did our fathers to make it;
that it affords better government for peace and
liberty at home and defence against aggression from:
abroad than is likely to be made of any of its parts
Resolved That although we Of the slave States, and
especially Of Kentucky have great to complain
OF bad fellowship and wrongs done uS both in carac
ter and property, by some OF the citizens of the free
States and the States themselves who have broken
faith with " and gone astray from the landmarks of
fathers yet lrdcntly attached to our national
Union, and trusting they will yet give that Justice
demand and without which We cannot be friends we
still pro .lam ourselves in fyor of the Union and so
long there hope of preserving on the basis of the
constitution, will maintain and defend it,
Resolved, That all laws of tie free States which null
lily impair the fill and fair operation Of the fugitive
slave law are in conflict with the national constitution
and we demand their repeal at the earliest practical
moment.
Resolved That we consider the election OF presi-
dent by one section Of the Union on the ground Of
opposition to the institutions Of the other as
Of the patotism and forbcarnce of the minority
but that notwithstanding this i'll advised experiment
the harmony Of the Union we do not regard the cleo
ton of Abraham Lincoln a cause for its dissolution
Resolved That have in the majority of both houses
of the next congress sufficient security against
design Of aggression upon the rights of the south and
that Is the duty of the southern States to avail them
selves Of this fact in the operation of our institutions
and not desert the Union at this crisis when we have
a victory instead of a defeat in the main departments
the federal government especially those departments
sustained by large majority OF the popular vote
| OF the United States.
Resolved, That if this autsavcry party should in
in strength and be able carry purposes
in the Of the federal government, the south has
ample means Of resistance and is lls able at any time
! to resist unconstitutional atgrcssions and we have,
therefore, no need to adopt hastily this last resort
Resolved, That te,clam set up by majority Of the
free States to all the territory, and the assumption Of
the right to restrict the south from the occupation Of
any Of it with Ter Institutions pdpably unjust and
unconstitutional and will be submitted to by free
people Jealous OF their rights.
/ Resolved, That we hereby recommend the adoption
Of the propositions of distinguished senator John
G. Crittcnden, as fair and honorable adjustment of
orr beloved conntry-which are as follows:
JOINT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS certain amendments
to the constitution Of the United States.
Whereas, Serious and alarming dissensions have
arisen between the northern and southern States,
corning the rights and security Of the rights Of the
savehoding States and especially their rights in the
territory Of the United States: and whereas it
il cmncny desirable and proper that those dsSenSiOns
which threaten the very existence of this Urion
should be permanently qeted and settled bv constitu-
- - 1, II , 1 -
tons and thereby restore to the people that peace and
good will which aught to prevail between all the citizens
of the United States; therefore,
Resolved by the and house of representatives.
Of the United States Of America in congress assembled
tyo-thrds OF both houses concmriug That the follow
ing articles be- and hereby proposed and submitted
amendments to the constitutional the United States
which shall be valid to all intcnts and purposes as part
of said constitution, when ratified by conventions of
threc-fourths Of the several States
ART. l. In all the territory Of the United States
held hereafter acquired situated north Of latitude
thirtysiz degrees and thirty minutes slavery nvo
untary servude except punishment for crime, is
prohibited, while such territory shall remain under
territorial government In all the territory south of
said line Of latitude slavery of the African race is here
by recognised existing and Shall not he iucrcred
with by congress- but shan be protected property by
all the departments of the territorial government during
it. continuance; and when any territory north or south
Of said line within such boundaries us congress may
prescribe, sEaI contain the population requisite Tor
member OF congress according g the tGen federal ratio
Of representation o. Inc people OF e United STATES 1t
shall Il It's ioEh.9i government oeFepubicaH be admit
tea mo Tue Ghio on an el"a lootS with the Original
STATES WIN OF without ShTesS' us the constitution. Oh
such States may provide.
ART =. congress shai pave no power 60 abolish
saver! III P"etS uut us eAcluSlEe JutlSa!cuoh' ana
sua'eu within 'hc MINUS o 7a1e' 'lat permit the hoio-
ing OF save
ART d. cohSreS5 %l.'a IA no power 10 aoohsh
Sh.'cr! "t'iH Ic u'Stict ~ No!u'!iar 20 IoS aS II
eS:s =, " o.'''s - lSl'rsa aia
81 e'l!t, ~" "'o"' ~ ooicr',' " ~
hot E'I'o't Sl M. 'uG 70 Iue' ." II
,LS VI S,I'Vs IL Wv NV 'oli,e' ~ SuCn ADJUSTMENT
.No' sum 1T ""' unC P'''.pV oHeSIS Vl '"e
leUe'"' So' VI i"e'cIs "' colSte9'i "l'oSe
usS require tirH' - y - Sal oSsIS'' rom bringing
'I''l mem tncI ~ noIs teln ~ Suci curing
Iae u'' teit u"'c' my require tc' 10 remain mere
anu "I'e. ""tgS ''Nu'S 5I'5I" rom inc u'Srlet'
~ = U.s. t'',', Ia, "o PoMe' " .o1lt
or II'ue' le U..2' - ;', Is from one I'G 70
"Io'!,, - - - "i'> s''o' ~ y ID"
PcF'1lcu - ~ e'"' "lio,' ''' 't'is oita1loh oe ~
iaha' 'ay'Sa m .i.ttS' -. ~ u'e sea
-AHI' - i',' - "'uUo' " '.c P'o'ishiS % 'tle
'I'H PA 81 tilo sCtt.o VI Tue o"r'n af'
&c U' '''s - ''i' Ul''u congress
I'LL, '''v - i t .',.t = Si'"'t pe y
~ ~ ~ sl''i w -
MA