, 1861-05-24
THIRD DAY.


were read by tho Secretary, ond several
corrections made (they appear in the above
Teports) and then adopted
Mr.. Gallagher, as Chairman Of tho Com.
inittee on Resolutions, submitted the fol
lowing resolutions and moved their adop
ton:
WHEREAS, Our country is torn by dssen
sions and in danger of dismemberment by
its own citizens, and threatened by a civi
and fratricidal war.
AND WHEREAS, The Democratic party OIL
the nation desires and will promote an ad.
justment Of the present unhappy difficulties
upon any basis constitutional in itself, and
which is just to the people at large, there
fore
BE Il resolred, BY the Democratic Con
ventio of Washington Territory,
lst. That the Government Of the United
States is created by the Federal Constitu-
ton, and limited in its authority to the sub
jects enumerated therein; that within those
limits it possesses supreme authority, and
has the necessary power for selfpreserva-
ton and the enforcement of its laws.
ID. That the States of this Union are
sovereign and independent over every sub
ject not surrendered to the control of the
Federal Government by the Constitution,
aud they have no right 10 interfere with
the domestic institutions Of each other
Sd. That the public domain was acquired
by the united exertions of the whole peo-
pie, aud is therefore the common property
Of the nation, held in trust by the General
Government for the public use; and all
Congressional interference discriminating
for or against the interests of the North or
the South, 10 the territories, is unconstitu
tional in its nature, unwise in its character,
and destructive Of the peace and harmony
Of the nation.
4th. That all Of the States of the Con-
federacy are bound by the Constitution Of
the United States to aid in delivering up
all persons held to labor or service by the
laws Of any States, whether slaves or not,
aud all legislation which withholds or OBJ
structs such aid is unconstitutional and
5ti1. Fhut us- rnuuy Of our wisest and
most patriot statesmen and citizens have
been unable to understand the Constitution
Of the United States alike upon the much
vexed question Of slavery in the Terrific
ries, and as the Misunderstanding have
led to serious difficulties endangering the
Union itself, the Democracy Of Washington
Territory will sanction and approve any
amendments to the Constitution in refer
ence thereto, which shall render that ins,ru-
ment clear and unambiguons, secure the
rights Of the whole people, and terminate
thepresent unhappy difficulties which threat
ems the integrity Of the Union itself.
= 9th. That it is the duty Of oil good citiA
zens to support the Government in the ex-
eculion and enforcement Of all constitution
al laws in all sections of the Confederaey.
7th. That the constitutional right Of Sc
cession is q contradiction in-terms and does
not exist; that secession and revelation are
convertible terms, and according to the
universal experience and sanction Of man
kind, no State or community can exercise the
natural right Of revolution and throw OF
the government under which they have
lived, until tyoanny becomes unsnferable
and the evils Of revolution inferior to those
resulting from the Invasion Of the peoples
rights.
sth. That the Democracy OF Washington
Territory are for the Union, the whole 'Ua-
ion, 10 which our fathers planted the tree
Of Liberty and watered il with their blood,
and will cling to it as the last hope Of free
dom, and as the great experiment Ia self
government which is to subVert the despo-
,tisms Of the earth and lead the nations to
Iiberty and independence.
II GEO. GALLAHER, Ckm'H,/
NJ. S. DREw, Seey
On motion, the above resolutions we're
adopted.
Mr.. e. II. Barron presented the follow
ing resolutions as a minority report Of the
committee, which was ordered to be pub
Iished with the proceedings Of The Conven.
tion:
WHEREAs, The Democratic party has
ever been the party Of the Union, and is
now determined to sacrifice on the altar Of
patriotism all individual interests and past
dissensions, and unite as a band Of brothers
to restore peace and unity to our common
country.
Resoleed, That we cooperate with our
fellow democrats throughout the country
in their patriotic exertions to unite our
party, aud to avert the dangers which now
threaten the dismemberment Of this great
confederaey Of States
ResOlred, That the present lamentable
condition e the country linds its origin in
the unconstitutional acts and sectional spir-
it Of great Northern party, the principles
of whose organization deny to the people
of one class Of States the enjoyment and
exercise Of the same political rights claimed
and demanded by another class Of States,
thus ignoring and destroying the great po-
ltical truth which is the foundation Of our
government and the vital principle Of the
Constitution OF the United States.
ResOired, That in the present unhappy
condition Of affairs our government must
be sustsined in maintaining the honor and