The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-13
Senator Summers Resolutions.


Senator Sumner, Wednesday, introduced in
the Senate, series of g resolutions declaratory
of the relations between the United States and
the territory" Of the rebel States. Senator
Summers purpose appears to BE- to give legisla
tive expression to the idea which is said to have
been advanced By President Lincoln, in con-
versation with Gen. Lane just before the latter
went West. The preamble reoites the leading
facts of the secession of rebel States. The first
resolutions as far as they affect the slavery ques-
ton, are as follows
ResOlOed, That any vote of SECESSION or any
other act by which any State may undertake to
put an end to the supremacy Of the Constitution
within its territory, is imperative and void
against the Constitution and when sustained
by force, it becomes practical abdication by the
State of all rights under the Constitution, while
the treason which it involves still further works
an instant forfeiture of all those functions and
powers essential to the continued existence of
the State as body polite, SO that from that
time forward the territory falls under the exclu-
sve jurisdiction of Congress as other territory,
and the State being, according to the language
Resolued, That the termination of State un-
der the Constitution necessarily causes the ter
mination of those peculiar local institutions
which, having no origin in the Constitution or
in those natural rights which exist independent
of the Constitution, are upheld by the sole and
exclusive authority of the State.
Resolved, That Slavery being peculiar local
institution from local laws, without any origin
-. IL r,<,Ik
held by the sole and exclusive authority of the
State, and must therefore cease to exist legally,
or Constitutionally, when the State on which it
depends no longer exists; Tor the incident can
not survive the principal.
Resolved, That in the exercise of its exclusive
jurisdiction over the territory once occupied by
the States it is the duty Of Congress to see that
the supremacy of the Constitution is maintained
this extensive territory Slavery shall cease to
exist practically as it has already ceased to exist
Constitutionaljy or legally.
RESOLVED. That any recognition of Slavery in
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
a recognition of the pretended Governments, to
the exclusion OF the jurisdiction of Congress un-
der the Constitution, and is in The nature of aid
and comfort to the rebellion that has been or
gained
Resolved, That any such recognition or sur.
render of pretended slaves, besides being q re-
cogniton OF the pretended Governments, giving
them aid ana comfort is a denial of the rights
of persons who, by the extinction OF the States,
have become free. SO that, under tho Constitu-
ton, they cannot again be ensaved.
Resolved, That allegiance from the inhabitanc
and protection from the Government arc cores
pondng obligations, dependent upon each other,
SO that while the allegiance OF every inhabitant
of this territory, without distinction of color or
class, is due to the United States, and cannot in
any way be defeated by the action of any pre-
tended Government, or BY any pretense OF prop
erty or claim to service, the corresponding ob-
CATION Of protection 10 at the same time due by
the United States to every nilablJant, without
distinction of color class; and it follows that
Inhabitants held as slaves, whose paramount al
legance is due to the United States may Justly
look to the National Government for prouec ion.
itesoived, That the duty directly cast upon
Congress by the extinction of the State is re-en-
forced by the positive prohibition of the Con-
stitutiOn that - no 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 compact
with another State or grant letters of
marque and rep,isal,' or 50 coin money, 'or
emit bills of credit" or g without the consent
of Congress lay any duties on imports or cx-
ports" all of which havo been done by these
pretended Governments, and also by the positive
INDUCTION of the Constitution, addressed to the
nation, that - the United States shall guarantee
to every State in this Union a republican form
Of government :" and that in pursuance of this
duty cast upon Congress, and further enjoined
by the Constitution, Congress will assume COM
plete jurisdiction OF such vacated territory where
such unconstitutional ard illegal thinge have
been attempted, and will proceed to establish
therein republican forms of government under
the Constitution and in the execution Of this
trust will provide carefully for the protection Of
the inhabitants thereof tor the security of fami.
lies, the organization of labor, the encourage
ment Of industry, and the welfare OF society ,and
will in every way discharge the duties of a just
merciful, and paternal Government.
They were laid upon the table by vote Of
81 to Is.