Michigan’s New Governor: South Carolina a Dangerous Example

Governor Blair: Music to Lincoln's Ears

From The New-York Times January 5, 1861:

THE MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE.; GOVERNOR BLAIR’S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

DETROIT, Mich., Friday, Jan. 4.

Gov. BLAIR delivered his inaugural address to both Houses of the Legislature, at Lansing, yesterday.

In discussing national affairs, he denies the right of secession, and in alluding to the present condition of South Carolina, says; if it could properly be done, I presume the country generally would be willing to let that restless little nation retire from the Confederacy forever, but that cannot be without admitting the right of secession to exist in all the States, and no Government then remains to us, but only a voluntary association of States, dissolvable at the pleasure of any of them. If South Carolina may of right, then may also New-York and Louisiana, thus cutting off the free right of way of the entire Northwest to the ocean in both directions. The doctrine cannot be admitted. Self-preservation, if no other reason, would compel us to resist. He claims that the Constitution of the United States is not a compact or league between independent sovereign States; on the contrary, that it is a foundation of a Government established by the people of the United States as a whole, perpetual in its character, and possessing all the elements of a sovereign power and nationality. He denies that the Personal Liberty laws have bad the effect to prevent the execution of the Fugitive Slave law in a single instance, but whenever an appeal has been made to the Courts to enforce that law, it has been done in good faith. He invites judicial scrutiny into the legislation of the State, and is willing to abide by the result, but is not willing that the State should be humiliated by compliance with the demand to repeal these laws, accompanied by threats of violence and war. He concludes by recommending that at an early day the Legislature make it manifest to our representatives in Congress and to the country that Michigan is loyal to the Union, the Constitution and the laws, and will defend them to the uttermost, and to proffer to the President of the United States the whole military force of the State for that purpose.

Austin Blair is not going to let southern threats induce Michigan to repeal the personal liberty laws.

He also seems to echo Stephen Douglas’ concern about secession potentially blocking land-locked states from trading with the world. You can read about Senator Douglas’ speech at Seven Score and Ten.

It makes sense that sense that Blair is concerned about the ports of New York and New Orleans. There is the Erie Canal, railroads, and the Mississippi but Michigan still needs a friendly port, I would think.

And it’s going to be almost one hundred years before the Saint Lawrence Seaway is completed.