On ai»*y Sri 45Z Duke University Libraries Joint resolutio Conf Pam q#52 D c nib7fiDSE JOINT RESOLUTION RBIiATI¥B °3? Q> O C> 313 :FS_ O X O 3XT. Be it Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That in view of the exigencies of the times, we deem it proper to declare, thai when the sovereign States of this Confederacy entered into the compact of the Union, they delegated to the Federal Government no power to compel, by force of arms, obedience by the Stales to the Federal authority ; hut on the contrary, such power was expressly denied. That the employment, therefore, of force by the Federal Government to compel i ny State of this Union to perform its obligations under the Federal compact.orto compel a State against the will of it> people to remain a member of the( !on- federacy, is in violation of the Constitution, a dangerous usurpation of power, destructive of the right ot' free government and fatal to the existence of the Union itself, which formed of equal and inde- pendent sovereignties cannot be as between conquering States and subjugated provinces. That should, (as wo have serious rea son to apprehend may be in the present condition of the Union,) the Federal Government attempt to coerce any of our sister States of the South, by force of arms, into Bubji ction to Federal rule, we assure such States of the sympathies of our people, and that we shall make common cau o with them in resisting by all means and to the last extri mity such unconstitu- tional violence and tyranical usurpation of power. Passed February 1, A. D. 18G1. II. D. K. TAYLOR, Speaker of (he House of Representatives EDWARD CLARK, President of the Senate i peonulife. P H8.5