Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-24
MIR. sumner. Rs.orutron..

AVAIL OAbhCA SdI1AlttGu Iue lOllOWl1R reSO-
buttons, declaratory of the relations between
the United States aud the territory once occu.
pied by certain states, and now usurped by
pretended governments, without constitution
al or legal right, which, on his motion, were
laid upon the table, and ordered to be printed.
Whereas certain States rightfully belonging
to the Union OF the United States have through
their respective governments, wickedly un.
dertaken to abjure all those duties by which
their connection with the Union was main.
tanned to renounce all allegiance TO the con-
sututlon to levy war upon the national gov
eminent: and, for the consummatiOn of this
treason, have unconstitutionally and unawfuy
coniederated together, with the declared pur-
pose OF putting an end by force, TO the supre-
macy OF the constitution within their respec.
tive limits; and whereas this condition OF in
surrectlon, organized by pretended govern.
ments, openly exists in South Carolina, Geor-
gia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas,
Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia, except in
Eastern Tennessee, and Western Virginia, and
has been declared by the president OF the I'm
tied States, in proclamation duly made in
conformity with an act OF congress, to exist
throughout this territory, with the exceptions
already named and whereas the extensive
territory, thus usurped by these pretended
governments and organized into hostile con.
federacy, belongs to the United States, as an
insepara6le part thereof, under the sanctions
of tine constitution, to be held in trust for the
inhabitants in the present and future genera
tons and is SO completely interlinked with the
Union that it is forever dependent thereupon
and whereas the constitution, which is the su-
preme law OF the land, cannot be displaced IN
It's rlghttul operation within this territory, but
must ever continue tine supreme law thereof,
Notwithstanding the doings OF any pretended
governments, acting singly or in confederation
in order to put an end to its supremacy, there
fore,
l. Resov ed, sThat any vote of secession or
other act by which any state may undertake
to put an end to the supremacy. of the consti-
tuition within lis territory is imperative and
void against the constitutions and when sus-
tanned by force it becomes practical d6dica.
ton by the state Of all rights under the const
tuition, while the treason which it involves still
further works an instant forfeiture OF all those
functions and powers essential to the continued
existence OF che slate as body polite SO that
from that time forward The territory tails under
the exclusive jurisdiction OF congress as other
territory, and the state being, according to the
language of the law, JeLO do Sc, ceases to exist
z. Resolved, That any combination of men
assuming 10 act in the place OF such state, and
ants thereof into a confederation hostile to the
Union is rebeliOus, reasonable, and destitute
OF all moral authority and that such combi-
nation Is usurpation, incapable OF any con-
stltutlonai existence, and utterly lawless, so
that everything dependent upon it is without
constitutional or legal support.
3. Resolved, That the termination of state
under the constitution necessarily. causes the
termination OF those peculiar local institutions
which, having no origin in the constitution or
in those natural rights which exist indepen-
dent OF the constitution, are upheld by the sole
and exclusive authority of the state.
4. Resolved, That slavery being a peculiar
local institution, derived from local laws, with
out any origin in the constitution or in natural
rights, is upheld by the sole and exclusive au-
thOrlty of the state, and must therefore cease
10 exist legally or constitutonaly when the
state on which il depends no longer exists Tor
the incident cannot survive the principal
3. Resolved, That in the exercise of its
exclusive jurisdiction over the territory once
occupied by the states, it is the duty of con.
gresa to see that the supremacy OF the eonsti.
tuition is maintained in its essential principles
SO that everywhere in this extensive territory
slavery shall cease TO exist practically, as it
has already ceased to exist constitutionally or
legally.
o. Resolved, That any recognition of slave.
ny III such territory, or any surrender of slaves
under the pretended laws of the extinct STATES
by any officer of the United States, civil or
military, is recognition of the pretended gov
ernments, to the exclusion of the jurisdiction
of congress under The constitution, and as in
the nature OF aid and comfort to the rebellion
that has been organized.
Z. Resolved, That any suck recognition of
slavery or surrender OF pretended slaves, be.
sides being recognition of the pretended
governments, giving them aid and comfort, is
a denial OF the rights of persons who, by the
extinction Of the states, have become free, SO
that, under the constitution, they cannot again
be enslaved
s. Resolved, That allegiance from the in.
habitant and protection from the government,
are corresponding obligations, dependent upon
each other, so that while the allegiance of
every inhabitant OF this territory, without dis
tinction of color or class, is due TO the United
States, and cannot in any way be defeated by
the action of any pretended government, or
by any pretence Of property or claim to SER
vice; the corresponding obligation of protec-
ton is at the same time due by the United
States 10 every such inhabitant, without dis.
tinction of color or class and it follows that
inhabitants held as slaves, whose paramount
allegiance is due to the United States, may
justly look to the national government for pro-
lection.
9. Resolved, That the duty directly cast
upon congress by the extinction of the states
is reinforced by the positive prohibition OF the
constitution that mo state shall enter into any
confederation" or "without the consent Of
congress keep troops or ships OF war in Time
OF peace, or enter into any agreement or COM
pact with another state" or grant letters Of
marque and reprisRl," or "coin money" or
"emit bills of credit" or without the consent
Of congress lay any duties on imports or ex-
ports" all of which have been done by these
pretended governments, and also by the posi-
live Injunction of the constitution, addressed
TO the nation, that "the United States shall
guarantee to every state in this Union re-
publican form Of government" and that in
pursuance OF this duty cast upon congress,
and further enjoined by the constitution, con
gress will assume complete Jurisdiction of
such vacated territory where such unconstitu-
tional and illegal things have been attempted,
and will proceed 10 establish therein republi'
can forms Of government under the constitu-
tom and in tile execution of this trust will
provide carefully for the protection OF all the
inhabitants thereof for the security of lami-
lies, the organization of labor, the encourage
ment OF industry, and the welfare of society
aud will in every way discharge the duties