Further report from North Carolina induced Mr. Sumner again to bring the action of Mr. Stanly before the Senate, in the hope especially of reaching the country, and also the Administration.
Whereas Edward Stanly, assuming to act under a letter from the Secretary of War, calling him Military Governor of North Carolina, a post unknown to the Constitution and laws of the Union, has undertaken, by virtue of such military authority, to surrender fugitive slaves, contrary to the intent and meaning of an Act of Congress recently adopted; also to banish an American citizen, in violation of personal rights secured by the Constitution; and also to close and suppress schools maintained by the charity of good men for the education of colored children, in defiance of every principle of morals and religion, and to the discredit of our national character: Therefore,—
1. Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cancel the letter of the Secretary of War under which Edward Stanly now assumes to act.
2. Resolved, That any such letter, assuming to create any person Military Governor of a State, is without sanction in the Constitution and laws, and that its effect is to subordinate the civil to the military authority, contrary to the spirit of our institutions, and in derogation of the powers of Congress, which, where a State Government falls into the hands of traitors, can be the only legitimate authority, except martial law.
Mr. Carlile, of West Virginia, objected to the consideration of the resolutions, and they were postponed.
These resolutions presented again the question of the Power of Congress over the Rebel States, first opened by the resolutions of February 11, 1862.[76]
AIR-LINE RAILROAD BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND NEW YORK.
Resolution in the Senate, June 9, 1862.