East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-01-24

other letters from various inaiVldnsis, ali
couched in similar respectful language.
The request, he said, is that wo repeal
these laws in order TO strengthen the
hands of those noble patriots, the Union
men Of the South, who are Drawing all
this storm of violence and ianatlcism for
the sake of the Union itself. Virginia
asks it of us; we ought to listen to her
We owe much to Virginia. The very
territory of which our State is composed
was cedcd to us 10y that State. VIII we
not listen to her appeal? They ask the
repeal of these laws because they are OBJ
noxious. | do not say that the personal
/ liberty laws are unconstitutional; i do
not desire to discuss that question now;
/ it has nothign whatever, as can conceive
to do with the subject before us. But |
do desire, most earnestly, that, for the
sake OF preserving the Union; for the sake
of restoring peace, prosperity and happi
ness to the country; for the sake of taxi
| ing from the hands of the enemy the
weapons they are using with such terrific
force against the country; for the sake of
all this, and not on account of its uncon-
stitutionality If gentlemen will so have it,
that we should repeal this law. The
question of constitutionality should not
! be raised. We should be magnanimous,
patriotic. We should do this thing be-
cause our country demands it. This is
the prominent grievance complained of.
1t is used by the newspapers and orators
Of the South against us, and the public
mind is frenzied by their appeals and
representations. Let us disarm them Of
this weapon, and thus strengthen the
hands of those loyal men who still up
hold the flag of our whole country in the
midst of secession and strife, and are
manfully battling against the pillows of
destruction that are so rapidly sweeping
over the land 1t is for these men that
| ask this action and to strengthen their
already faltering arms, not for those now
in rebellion. For them | ask nothing
save that we will aid the general govern.
Iment bv our forces and our means to re-
pel their reasonable assaults. But if we
will not do this, and ! see that this
House is not yet prepared to take this
high, digniied and patriotic ground, let
US at least do Justly by ourselves. Let
us say, in the language Of the resolutions
| urge. when it is charged that we have
unconstitutional laws on our statute
books, that 1--WE will examine Onr laws,
and if there be any which interfere with
the duty which We owe To other States,
or the citizens Thereof, i'll any particular,
we will reform the same" The adoption
OF these views and their PRONUNCIATION t.
the country would have greater in.inenc1
in allavihg the present troubles nj the
South than all the forces ot the nation
sent down there to crush out TIE rebel
lion. The speaker proceeded to read
from the messages OF the Governors "'
other of the northern States, recommend
iny and urging such action as he CON
tended for, and which had been objecte,
to by the Executive of this State md hi'
predecessor. lie also cited Senator Sew
ard as urging the same thing, and rcac
! from his last speech the portions relating
to this subject. BY the propositions
urge, he said, we do not decide on til,
constitutonalty Of these laws, but simply
express our Willingness and dctcunlnatloI
to examine them. We make this expires
sion as an assurance to southern men de
voted to the Union, and for none other
do | plead, that we arc disposed to dc
, our whole duty And in tbs matte,
party is of no consideration Whatever
We have been assured that this actor
would tend to allay the excitement an,
, check tho growth of secession sentiments
If that will be its result, | ask, IN Cod
name, why we hesitate? Have we for
gotten longer to love this Union fo
which our fathers sacrificed so much p
Do we not desire to pass the priceless
legacy down to cur children? Are we tC
contend here for distractions while sta
, after star is being dragged from our ma
I. tional flag? | tell you, gentlemen, these
[, are serious questions and must be met
!, | offer proposition the acceptance o
, which will give a negative response t.
these questions; its rejection will be tC
reply to them in the affirmative. | thanh
the House for its courtesy in giving m'
this opportunity of expressing my views
| have not discussed the subject so fully
as might desire, but forbcar to tres
: pass on your patience. most sincerely
hope the House will sec its way clear t,
vote for the proposition | submit