The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-01-02


troll her jai!s Neither Constitution of the Unite
States the fugitive slave law .93 amendatory
OF 1870 makes provision for contemplacs that the ugv
shall or may be confined as The government of tn
ted States has her forts asene houses and marshal
At her command and abundanty able guard the ugv
from rescue without esorng ais for protection Tn
other act Of the Legislature already alluded wholly upo
the subject Of the which as shall be put In hi
act the sheriff. person having them charge prOhhte
from coning therein fugitive slave" This act in
way conflicts with the Constitution fugitive slave law Tn
third and last personal liberty bl' upon statutes is TIT
act Of the Legislature of 1859 approved by the 18th da,
of February of that year
This law has been in force the pas, twenty
TWO years, with the exception lines the which
prohibits bringing aiy negro uao other person Of coo
INTO he state claiming han her a stdre Ii is agains
these two lines that southern brothers take offence and
are asked 10 repeal the law because prohibits them
oounng in State with their slaves deny their right
bring their slaves the hold them here such
moment II they may lawfully bring them upon soil and hold
them slaves for hour they NAV hold them ay month or
IA yca Concede the right TO bring them here and hold them
servItue against their will for any length time no matter
how short and you concedc the whole ground Where do they
get Tie right OF holding slaves upon the free soil Michigan
Certainly not by the decision court either State
National The decisions thus far have been uniform that
slavery local in its character exist in the absence
Of positive law That where the voluntarily takes his
slave into free State that his shackes fall" and
he is longer bondsman But why argue this question
The foot OF the slave has pressed the soil Michigan
since the formation Of government except in violation
law Our fathers in 1885, spread Michigan an ordinance
which declares that there shall neither be nyo
unary servitude the said Territory otherwise than in the
punishment OF crime and twice Michigan came into the
Union have her people adopted Constitution containing the
same sentiment 1t is part of the organic law Of the State
and who doubt the right Of the Legislature pass laws
furnishing the violation Of that Instrument
These laws right and speak the sentiments the people
and believe in strict accordance with the constitution
and ought be repealed Let them stand This no
time for tmd and vaclang counse when the cry Of treason
and rebellion ringing ears 1t was upon the soil
OF Michigan that tins great Republican party was first
organized and does not become surrender one
principle of that party long right We have no
disposition to violate part Of the constitution country
and IRE 1cH not cOG The constitution fathers made
good enough for and be enforced upon every foot
OF American soil The duty of surrenderng the fugitive slave
is not the whole Of that instrument Michigan recognize
the right Of State 10 secede from this Union We believe that
the founders OF designed be perpetual and
cannot consent to have obterated our flag
For upwards of thirty years this question of the right Of State
to secede has been agitated 1t is time settled We
ought not 10 leave it for children to look after
recommend that You immediately pass series OF Resou-
tons and forward copies thereof and Repre-
sentatves in Congress- expressing the sentiments the people
OF Michigan upon the subject of Federal relation would
calmly but firmly. declare be- the fixed determination Of
OF Michigan, that the Federal Constitution the rights of the
States and the onion of tie States and shall be preserved
SENATOR'S AID RFrRF -ESrnTfs
have performed the final duty
imposed upon by the Constitution and as | retire to
private life trust shall bear ereatfu remembrance
the high honor that has been conferred upon free peo
pie commend my consideration and bespeak
for him the kindness and courtesy that received
predecessors believe the honor welfare of the State
safe III his and your hands and pray that the living
God may guard and protect our Union
MOSES WISNER
Executive Office, Lansing, January l. 1861