GDG- no power, under the constitution, to interfere with the institution of slavery

[Dennis Lawrence]

Friday, March 3, 1837.
Vandalia, IL.

Lincoln and Dan Stone of Sangamon protest antiabolitionist resolutions 
adopted January 20, 1837. Difference between their views and those 
expressed by House was moral­injustice of slavery. They declare that 
"promulgation of abolition doctrines tends rather to increase than abate" 
evils of slavery. Protest is made part of "House Journal.

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Protest in Illinois Legislature on Slavery [1]
March 3, 1837

The following protest was presented to the House, which was read and 
ordered to be spread on the journals, to wit:

``Resolutions upon the subject of domestic slavery having passed both 
branches of the General Assembly at its present session, the undersigned 
hereby protest against the passage of the same. [2]

They believe that the institution of slavery is founded on both injustice 
and bad policy; but that the promulgation of abolition doctrines tends 
rather to increase than to abate its evils.

They believe that the Congress of the United States has no power, under the 
constitution, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the different 
States.

They believe that the Congress of the United States has the power, under 
the constitution, to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia; but that 
that power ought not to be exercised unless at the request of the people of 
said District.

The difference between these opinions and those contained in the said 
resolutions, is their reason for entering this protest.''

DAN STONE, [3]

A. LINCOLN,

Representatives from the county of Sangamon.
Annotation

[1]   House Journal, Tenth General Assembly, First Session, pp. 817-18.

[2]   The General Assembly had received from the States of Virginia, 
Alabama, Mississippi, New York, and Connecticut ``Memorials . . . relative 
to the existence of domestic slavery . . .'' A joint select committee of 
both houses reported to the House on January 12, 1837, deeply deploring 
``the unfortunate condition of our fellow men, whose lots are cast in 
thraldom in a land of liberty and peace,'' but holding that ``the arm of 
the General Government has no power to strike their fetters from them,'' 
and spurning indignantly ``an interference with the rights of property in 
other States.'' Following a diatribe against abolition societies, the 
committee recommended the adoption of the following resolutions: ``Resolved 
by the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, That we highly disapprove 
of the formation of abolition societies, and of the doctrines promulgated 
by them. ``Resolved, That the right of property in slaves, is sacred to the 
slave-holding States by the Federal Constitution, and that they cannot be 
deprived of that right without their consent. ``Resolved, That the General 
Government cannot abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, against the 
consent of the citizens of said District without a manifest breach of good 
faith. ``Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit to the States 
of Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, New York, and Connecticut, a copy of the 
foregoing report and resolutions.'' (Ibid., pp. 243-44.)

Considerable debate ensued and numerous amendments were offered, but no 
details of the debate, nor details of the amendments, are recorded in the 
Journal except those offered from the floor on the final reporting of the 
resolutions. Lincoln moved to amend the amendment proposed by the committee 
to the third resolution by inserting after the word ``Congress,'' the 
following: ``Unless the people of the said District petition for the 
same.'' The motion failed and after further debate the resolutions ``as 
amended'' were finally passed by the House on January 20. The Senate 
concurred on January 25. The resolutions as amended are not printed in the 
Journal of the House, but the degree to which the general sentiment of the 
resolutions was modified seems not to have impressed Lincoln and Stone, who 
presented their protest on March 3, after other weighty legislation 
(notably the bill to remove the state capital from Vandalia to Springfield) 
had been safely passed.

[3]   Daniel Stone was a Whig lawyer of Springfield, Illinois. Upon 
resigning his seat in the legislature after the adjournment of the session, 
he was succeeded by Edward D. Baker, elected at a special election on July 
1.Friday, March 3, 1837.


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Monday, March 3 1862


The campaign down the Mississippi continued today. Forts Henry and Donelson 
being secured, the scene shifted to New Madrid, Missouri. This town, which 
had been the epicenter of the strongest earthquake ever recorded in North 
America (in 1811), now was blessed with the attention of Federal forces 
commanded by Gen. John 
Pope.  http://www.civilwarinteractive.com/ThisDay.asp  Civil War Interactive