The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-02-19

endorsed. publicly the detcstable and treason
atle doctrine Of sece ssion; men who within
} the last thirty days have put upon record the
assertion that the Constitution is a purely
mercantile partnership, and denying the right
Of coercion by the General Government; doc
} trines wholly and entirely ct variance with
: fact and the settled convictions Of every Un-
} ion.loving citizen. We deem it que ,tionable
policy, to say the least, to undertake to pro-
cure an honorable and equitable adjustment
Of existing difficulties with men now holding
and giving currency to such manifestly i'm
proper fnd dis'oyal sentiments.
In conclusion, your committee would re.
spectfully 81 ggest in view of the facts and
= promises presented, that it is inexpedient and
unnecessary, if not unwisc and unsafe, for this
Legislature at this time to take any action
looking to, or intended for the amendment Of
the Constitution, or the reconstruction Of the
Federal Government. We believe that am
pie power exists in the Congress TO correc, all
abuses, and set aside all grievances complain
cd Of by any Of the States, and that all at
tempts by State Legislatures or the people OF
the States to usurp and use those powers are
fraught with great danger to the stability Of
the Constitution and the perpetuty Of the
Union. While We have felt it our duty thus
to refuse the request of our sister Sta'e, we
do it out of no spirit Of Indifference TO the re.
sponsibilities she has placed Us under, and
only regrctting that the proposal is not
couched in such terms and the mode Of its ac-
complishment confined so strictly to the forms
prescribed by tho Federal Constitution, as TO
allow US to second her desires. Duty to our.
selves, our principles, and the oft.repca'ed
sentiments Of the people of this State as ex
pressed through tho ballot-box, has left us no
other alternative than to decline the PROPOSE
tons contained in the General Assembly of
the honorc', and, we believe, loyal and Un-
ion loving people of Virginia.
We beg Leave herewith to submit pream
BE and joint resolutions relative to sending
commissioners from Virginia and other States,
TO assemble at Washington on the 4th day Of
February, a. ID. 1861, respectfully recon-,
mend their passage, and ask to be discharged
from the further consideration of the subject.
All OF which is respectfully submitted.
CHARLES V. DEIAND,
j. CARPENTER.
DARIUS MONROE,
Special Committee
Joint resolutions relative to sending Com
missioners to confer with similar Commission
ers from Virginia and other States, to assem-
, bic at Washington, on the 4.h day of Febru.
airy "A. y. 1861.
JVhereos, The State of Virginia, by resoiu-
iiors Of its General Assembly, adopted on
the 10th day Of January instant, has invited
such States, whether slavcholding or non
slaveholding, as are willing tAuuite with Nir.
ginia in an earnest effort to an 5us' the present
unhappy controversy between the States or
sections Of the Union, in the spirit in which
the Constitution was originally formed, and
consistent with its principle, so as to afford
the people Of the slaveholding States ade.
quate guarantees for Ito security Of their
rights, to appoint commissioners to meet on
the 4th day of February next, in the city Of
Washington, similar Commissioners appointed
by Virginia, to consider, and If practicable
agree upon some suitable adjustment
Aud Whereas. The people of the State Of
Michigan are now and ever have leen loyal 20
tho Constitution and Government Of the U.
States, and believe the Constitution framed
by our fathers, is amply sufficient for guaran-
teeug the rights and liberties Of all sections
Of the country, and that it needs rather to be
obeyed than amended:
And Whereas The time allowed by the
resolutions of the sail General Assembly Of
Virginia, for the appointment and assembling
cf Commissioners is so brief as TO prevent
concert among our neghboripg free States,
and to render it nearly or quite impossible for
such Commissioners from this State TO reach
Washington in time TO attend srch meeting
on the 4th of February next:
Ind HTeredS, We believe the people Of
his State are not in favor OF, and would never
consC Mt to accent the basis of settlement sug-
gested in the resolutions Of the General As
sembv Of the State Of Virginia, to provide
by Constitutional law to l,galizc and establish
slavery in tie common territories of this Ma.
tion; Therefore
Resolred by the Senate and House of Rep
reSentotires Of tie STATE Of Michigan, That
the people Of Michigan are now and ever will
he ready to cooperate with the friends OF the
Union and the Constitution everywhere, for
it's maintenance and preservation; tc yield a
cheerful obedience o its requirements and
expecting like obedience from all Others, we
kindl. and respectfully, for the reasons indi-
Gated in the foregoing preamble, decline to be
represented by Commissioners in he manner
ahu upon inc tcIHls pIol's'u III 'uc IVsouV'O"S
of the said General Assembly Of Virginia.
Resolved furtter That the Governor be re-
quested 10 forward copy Of the foregoing
preamble and resolutions to the commissioners
of Virginia, and to our Senators and Repre-
srntatives in Congress at Washington; also,
to the President Of the UGitcd States, and to
the Governors of the several States Of the
Union.
The report was accepted, the committee
discharged, the jJnt resolution read twice,
an on motion Of Mt. French, the rules aud
order Of business were suspended for the pur.
pose of putting the joint resolution upon its
immediate passage.
Mr.. Adair moved that the joint resolution
bc laid on the table, which motion did not
prevail.
Mr.. Stout offered as n substitute for the
Joint resolutions the following joint res olutions
appointing commissioners from this State to
meet the commissioners from other States in
convention on the 4th Of February, in the city
Of Washington, TO consider the state of the
Union:
IIIors1e The Gopc,ol Assembly of the