Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-04-13
The Corwin Resolutions.

ment, are greatly to be regretted: and
whether such are without Just cause or
not, any reasonable constitutional rem
cdies and additional specific and effect
ual guarantees of their peculiar rights
and interests, as recognized by the
Constitution, necessary to preserve the
peace Of the country and pcrpctuity of
htc Union, shonld be promptly and
chccrfnlly granted.
Resolted, BY the Senate and House
of Representatives, that all attempts of
Legislatures to obstruct the recovery
of tuyitivcs from service, are in d"ro-
CATION of the Constitution, inconsistent
with the comfy and good ncighbor-
hood that should prevail among the
States, and dangerous to the peace Of
the Union.
Resolred, That the several States be
requested to cause their statutes to bc
reviewed, with the view of asccrtaining
if any conflict or tendency to embarass
the execution of the laws for the dcliv-
cry of persons held to labor by the laws
of any State and escaping thcretrom,
and earnestly request that such enact
mcnts be forthwith repealed, as re-
quircd by a just scrsc of constitutional
obligations, and by due regard for the
peace Of the Republic: and the Prcsi-
dent be requested to communicate these
resolutions to the Governors of the
several States, requesting that they be
laid before the Legislatures thereof.
Resolred, That we recognize slavery
as now existing in fifteen States, by
usage and laws of those States, and
recognize no authority, legal or other
wise, outside such State, to interfere
with slavery in disregard Of the rights
of their owners and the peace Of So
cicty.
RfSolrrd, That the faithful obscrv-
ancc on the part of all the States of all
constitutional obi legations to each other,
and to the General Government, is cs-
scntial to the peace of the country.
Rcso!rci. That it is the duty OF the
Federal Government to enforce the
Federal laws, protect the Federal prop
crty, and preserve the Union Of these
States.
Rcsolrfd, That each State is requested
to revise its statutes. and if necessary, to
so amend as to secure, without lcyisla-
ton by Congress, to citizens of other
States travelling therein, the protection
due as citizens of the United States.
Resolrcd, That VIC recognize the just
ice and pUprlety of the faithful cxecu-
| ton of the Constitution and laws made
in pursuance thereof, on the subject of
fugitive slaves, and discountcnance all
mobs or hindranccs to the execution Of
such laws, and citizens of each State
shall be entitled to all privileges and
immunitics of citizens in the several
States.
R'solred, That We recognize no such
conflicting elements in its composition,
or sufficient eau from any source, for
q dissolution of this Government; that
we are not sent here to destroy, but
sustain and harmonizc the institutions
of the country, and see equal justice
done to all parties, and perpetuate its
existence on terms of equality and just
ice to all.
Resolre,i, That eac!, State is respect
fully requested to enact such laws us
will prevent and punish any attempt
whatever, in such State, to set on foot
the lawless invasion Of any other State
or Territory.
Resolted, That the President be re-
qucsted to transmit the foregoing to
Governors, with the request to conmu-
nicatc them to their respective Lcgis-
Iaturcs.
After a great many strenuous at.
tcmpts Of Southern members to get
the question divided on the resolutions,
the House passed them all at once
1876 yeas, So nays. The nays were irrc-
pressible Republicans, whom Ashley,
Bingham. Blake, Cary, Edgcrton, Eli
ward Wade, and Hutchins, were all
from Ohio; Case, from Indiana; Wash
burn and Lovcjoy, from Illinois. The
only other question taken before ad-
journmcnt was on the joint resolution,
proposed by Corwin as modification
of the former one reported by the COM
mittee.
This is the great test question of
amending the Constitution, requiring
two-thirds to pass it. 1t was as follows:
Recommending to the Legislatures Of
the States an amendment to the Consti-
tuition, providing that no amendment
shall be made hereafter, authorizing o"
giving Congress the power to abolish
or interfere in any State with domestic
relations thereof, including that of per-
sons held to service or labor Nv the