The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-02-21
The Rebellious States.
RESOLUTIONS OF SENATOR SUMNER DECLARE
TORY OF THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT AND THE REBEL STATES,

GOVERNMENT AND THE REBEL STATES,
The following resolutions, introduced into
the Senate on the 18th inst, were laid on
the table, on motion of Mr.. Sumner, and as
they may be called up at any time, we print
them that our readers may be better able
tounderstand the debate that may arise upon
them, and their final disposition
Resolutions decarat0ry of the relations be-
tween the United States and the territory
once occupied by certain States, and now
usurped by pretended Governments, without
Constitutional or legal rights:
WHEREAS Certain States, rightly belonging
to the Union of the United States, have,
through their respective Governments, wick.
eddy undertaken to abjure all those duties by
which their connection with the Union was
maintained, to renounce all allegiance to the
Constitution; to levy war upon the National
Government and, for the cOnsum mation of
this treason, have uncOnstitutiOnally and un.
lawfully conferred together, with the declared
purpose OF Iutting an end by force to the su
premacy OF the Constitution within their re.
spective limits and
WHEREAS, This condition of insure ction, or.
ganized by pretended Governments, openly
exists in North Carolina, South Carolina Geor.
gia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas,
Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia, except in
Eastern Tennessee and Yves ern Virg inia and
has been declared by the President of the
United States, in proclamation duly made in
conformity with the 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 COnfederacy, belongs
to the United States as an inseparable part
thereof. un Ter the sanctions of the Constitu-
ton, to be held III trust for tie inha bitants in
the present and future generations, and is so
completely lnterlInked with the Union that it
is forever dependent thereupon ; and
WHEREAS The Constitution, which is the
supreme law OF the land, cannot be displaced
in its righttul operation within this territory,
but must ever continue the supreme law there,
Notwithstanding the doings of any pretended
Cove nments acting sing y or in confederation,
IN order to put an end to its supremacy;
therefore,
Resolved, That any vote of secession or 9th.
er act by which any State may undertake to
put an end to the supremacy of the COnstitu.
ton within its territory is imperative and void
gaInst the Constitution AID when sustained
hj cree 1T becomes practical abdicatiOn by
the State of all rights under the Constitution,
While tie treason which ii involves still fur
Their works an instant forfeiture Of all those
functions and powers essential TO the cOmbln.
ed existence of the State as body polite. so
that from that time forward the territory falls
under the exclusive jurisdiction of Congress as
other territory, and the State being, according
to the language of the law. telO de Sc, ceases to
exist.
Resolved, That any combination of men as
Stunning to act in the place of such State, and
attempting ensuare and coerce the inhabi.
tants thereof IutO confederation hostile to the
Union. is rebelliOus reasonable. and destitute
of all moral authority and that such comb.
nation Is uSurpatIon, incapable of any con-
stitutiOnal existence, and utterly lawless, so
that every thing dependent upon it is without
constitutional or legal support.
Resolved. That the termination of a State
under the Constitution necessarily causes the
termination OF those peculiar local institu.
tons which, having no origin in the Constitu-
ton. or in those natural gifts which exist in.
dependent Of the Constitution, are upheld by
the sole and exclusive authority of the State.
Resolved. That Slavery being peculiar 10.
cal institution, derived from local laws. with
out any origin in the Constitution, or in natu
raj rights, is upheld by the sole and exclusive
authority OF the State. and must therefore
cease to exist legally or constitutonaly when
the State on which it depends no longer exists;
for the incident cannot survive the principal
Resolved That i'll the exercise of the eXclu.
sive jurisdiction over the territory once occu-
pied by the States, it is the duty OF Congress
to see that the supremacy of the Constitution
is maintained in its essential principles, o that
everywhere, in this extensive territory Slavery
shall cease to exist practically. as it has alrea-
dy ceased to exist constitutionally or legally.
Resolved, That any recognition of Slavery in
such territory. or any surrender of slaves un-
d y the pretended laws of the extinct States by
any officer of the United States, civil or mill
tary, is recognition of the pretended Gov
ernments, 10 the exclusion of the jurisdiction
of Congress under the Constitution, and is in
the nature OF aid and comfort 10 the rebellion
tina has been organized.
Resolved, That any such recognition of
Slavery, or surrender of pretended slaves. be-
side being recognition of the pretended gov
ernments, giving them aid and comfort, is a
denial OF the rights OF persons who, by The eX-
tinctiOn of the States, have become free. so
that. under the constitution, they cannot again
be enslaved
Resolved, That allegiance from the inhabt.
ant and protection from the government, are
corresponding obligations, dependent upon
each other. 50 that while the allegiance of eve.
ry inhaDitant of this territory, without Iistinc.
ton 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 pieteDse of property or claim to service,
the corresponding obligation of protection is
at the same time due by the United States to
every such inh bitant. without distinction 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
tie National Government for protection.
Resolved, That the duty directly cast upon
Congress by he extinction of the States, is
re enfol ced 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
compact with another State" or 'grant let
tiers of marque and reprisal. or "coin money"
or "emt bills of credit" or without the
consent of Congress lay any duties on imports
or EXPORTS" all of which have been done by
these pretended Governments, and also by the
positive Injunction of the Constitution, ad-
dressed to the nation, that the United States
shall guaranty to every State in this Union
republican form of government ;" and that in
pursuance of this duty cast upon Congress,
and further enjoned by the Constitution, Con-
gress will assume complete jurisdiction of such
vacated territory where such unconstitutional
and illegal things have been attempted, and
will proceed to establish therein republican
forms of government under the Constitution;
and in execution of this trust will provide
carefully tor the protection of all the inhabit-
ants thereof, for the security of families, the
organization of labor, the encouragement of
industry. and the welfare of society, and will
in every way discharge the duties of just,
merciful, and paternal Government.