RESOLVES Relative to the Proceedings of a late Convention of South Carolina, and to the President's Proclamation in relation thereto. WHEREAS, An unusual and alarming excitement prevails in the State of South Carolina, on the subject of the Tariff Laws, awakened, as is believed, by a mistaken view of their constitutionality, and by exaggerated representations of their unequal operation; and whereas, heretical and dangerous doctrines have sprung up under the name of Nullification, in which the constitutional right in a state, to render nugatory and resist the laws of the United States, and to secede from the Union, is boldly assumed; and whereas, a Convention, delegated from a portion of the citizens of that State, has recently passed an Ordinance, a copy of which, and of the report of a Committee of said Convention thereon, and of Addresses to the people of the several States and of South Carolina, transmitted by order of the said Convention, through the Governor of that State to the Governor of Indiana, avowedly for the information of this Legislature, are now before the same; and whereas, we, the Representatives of the People of Indiana, view the doctrines contained in those documents, as carrying with them internal evidence of their impracticability, absurdity, and treasonable tendency; and whereas, we regard the said Ordinance as prescribing to, and attempting to enforce upon the people of South Carolina, a course of conduct, in violation of their duty as citizens of the United States, contrary to the laws of their country, subversive of its Constitution, and as having for its object the destruction of the Union," and as a necessary consequence, the prostration of our liberties: Therefore, Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, that we deeply deplore the political heresies, and threatened dis organization, recently promulgated by a portion of our brethren of South Carolina. Resolved, That we cordially concur in the persuasive appeals of our venerable Chief Magistrate, to the people of South Carolina, to pause ere it be too late to save themselves from ruin. Resolved, That the sentiment, "our Union must be preserved," meets with a hearty response from the people of Indiana, bound as they are, by interest and honor, to that confederacy into which they voluntarily entered, and from which they will never willingly be severed. Resolved, That we regard the present juncture of our national affairs, as involving the preservation of our liberties, and as scarcely inferior in importance to that in which they were achieved. Resolved, That as regards this important question, all minor differences should be forgotten ;-that devotion to party should be lost in devotion to country, and that the great contest among Americans, should be, as to the means best calculated to prevent the temple of our Union from crumbling into ruins. Resolved, That the constitutional doctrines advanced, and views of policy embraced in the President's Proclamation on the present difficulties in South Carolina,-the patriotic spirit pervading that able document, and the prompt and decisive manner in which he has rebuked the pernicious doctrines, and unjustifiable course, recently adopted by a portion of the citizens of that State, command our entire approbation, and have crowned with new laurels the "Defender of his Country." Resolved, That at the present alarming and eventful crisis, we conceive it to be a solemn and paramount duty of the people of the different States to express through their Representatives, a firm and unwavering determination, to protect "the Ark of our political safety" from the hand of violence, and to pledge their support in furtherance of the laudable resolution of the National Executive, "to take care that the Republic receive no detriment." Resolved, That the Governor of this State be requested to transmit a copy of the foregoing Preamble and Joint Resolutions, to the President of the United States, and also, a copy to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress, to be |