The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-06-09

OnlteQ StdteS enter into an agreement
with the secretary of states 'to alb
stain, pending the proceedings of said
convention, from all acts calculated
TO produce a collision of arms between
the seeding states and the govern
ment of the United States" The
president very wisely declined to enter
into official relations with the seced
ing states, but issued a proclamation
favoring such convention. A resolu-
ton to send delegates to the conven-
ton from Michigan was introduced
in the house. The discussion was
spirited but candid, and without ex-
element. 1t was a question on which
the members honestly differed. The
questions were plainly asked: Has the
South been denied by the general
government, any constitutional or
legal rights? Has not every constitu-
tional demand upon the general gov
eminent been granted to the slave
holding states? AS these questions
could not be favorably answered a
majority of the house opposed send
ing delegates; but the minority were
so intent that a convention of the
people was called TO meet in represen-
tative hall, and some of the most elo-
quent speakers in the state were
called, who favored the measure, in
the hope of inducing the house to re-
scind its action and send the delegates.
Senator Chandler was telegraphed to
for his opinion, and his answer was
that, "he thought the convention
would accomplish nothing, and would
end in smoke, but as other states had
got into the mud, il would be gener-
Gus for Michigan to help them out;"
but all TO no avail. The majority
was firm. Debating the terms of COM
promise was construed as an insult TO
the free states, and that the object of
calling the convention was believed
TO be to gain time TO better prepare
for secession before the Inauguration
of Mr.. Lincoln. Subsequent events
proved these conclusions TO have been
correct, and Michigan was honroed
for the action of the legislature. Ear
" in February the mint at New Or
leans, with a large amount of money
was seized by the state of Louisiana.
Mr.. Lincoln, having learned that a
conspiracy 10 assassinate him had
been formed in Baltimore, secretly
reached Washington and was inau-
gurated on the 4th of March. His in
augural address was one of the ablest
and most important papers that had
ever adorned the pages of American
history. 1t was clear and dignified,
with pledges that had no desire or in
tention of interfering with slavery in
the states when it existed, and that
no constitutional rights would be de-
MED those states; but all TO no effect.
The legislature closed its session
without further excitement, expecting
TO be recalled together if the secession
of the states and hostile demonstra-
tions of the South continued.
At that time the only railroad TO
Lansing was from Owosso, and men,
bers were not furnished with passes.
Members from the southern portion
of the state were conveyed from Jack
son to Lansing by stage coaches.
When the adjournment took place,
frost was out of the ground and
coaches were exchanged for mud
wagons; and that rs miles of night
ride by way of Eaton Rapids TO Jack
son will never be forgotten by the
writer, who had stayed in Lansing
during the entire session.
Fort Sumpter was fired upon April
Il, and that act "let loose the dogs of
war" Three days later President Lin
coin made call for 5000 men, and
on the 18th Virginia seeded.
Governor Blair issued a call for the
legislature to meet in special session
May Z, 1861, and in four days pre-
pared and passed bill, with a well
united opposition, TO bond the state
for II, $50, 900, TO be used in organizing
the volunteer militia, repelling inva-
sion, suppressing instruction, and de-
Tending the state in time of war.
A leading state paper had declared,
and the same was reiterated in the
house by a prominent member, that
eff troops were raised TO coerce the
seeding states back into the union,
their march would be impeded by
fire in The rear, and there would be