The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-11-07
ysTITUT1oNAL RIGHTS OF THE SOUTH

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS Of me oooih
II isa well known fact but one which cannot
under present circumstances, be too frequently
repeated, and brought before the minds OF the
People, that our Constitution, or national com
pact, was the result of carefully considered
compromise among the respective Colonies o'
States which were parties 10 IL. wholly inde-
pendent of each other, as they were previous to
the war of the Revolution and differing in soil
climate, population aud local advantages, there
were many contending interests to reconcile,
and probable causes of collision TO guard
against Ii required, therefore, the utmost
skill and wisdom to arrange the terms OF COM
poet which should be acceptable TO all but II
was finally accomplished under the auspices OF
such men as George Washington and Benja-
min Frank n-men whose fame is now the
common property Of mankind-and hitherto our
country has prospered under the work of their
hands beyond all anticipation.
The most prominent and difficult subject OF
compromise was the institution OF negro
slavery in the Southern States-an insiilu-
lion originally forced upon the people of that
$500
trading interest Of the North, whose cupidity
was fosiered and encouraged from sordd mo-
tives, BY the Government of the mother coun-
try. At the time Of the formation Of our Con-
stlution it vas as clearly foreseen as il is clear
ly seen now, that an institution creating such a
broad mark of distinction between the North
and the South, and so important in itself, would
unless precautions were taken, become subject
of national legislation, to be disposed of by the
votes of the majority; and as the South was,
and was likely 10 continue, the weaker section,
in point OF population, it was ecessary that SO
peculiar and important an interest should be
placed under especial safeguards.
Hence arose our peculiar form of Govern
ment and Constitution, in which the strict Re-
publican principle is in some respects departed
from-but necessarily departed from for the
sake of Union. But for those peculiar fea ures
in the Constitution, which were adopted TO Sc
cure the rights and property of the people of the
South, there would have been no Constitution,
and no Union. 1t is indispuable that, but for
the provisions in question, the slave-holding
States never would have entered the Union and
ii is equally certain that the same great law Of
seli-preservalion, which would have prevented
them from entering it, would be quite as imper-
alive in its dictates now, if those provisions
should De IN any mauu~i r,ad.d ~nnuIled,
the balance of power which they were intended
TO establish destroyed, directly or indirectly.
purposely or accidentally.
Those provisions, therefore, may be said 10
contain the essence Of the Union, and to const-
tute its vital point where wound would be
death TO il. And il is not the mere letter Of the
provisions that must be adhered TO, but the sp.
rit and intent of them. To assa these provi-
sions in any manner, openly or insidiousy, is TO
assail the Union itself.
1t is from these considerations that The people
of the South have BEEN fiom the commence
ment Of our national existence, so earnest and
persevering in their demands for a strict con-
siruction OF the Constitution: not from the sell
fish and timorous apprehensions with which
they have been tainted, that the Union is pecu.
llarly necessary TO their safety, but becausea
strict construction Of The Constitution is indis-
pensable to the continuance of the Union for il
it be loosely construed in some particulars it
may be loosely construed in those provisions
which are vital and essential to its existence.
Ii would be idle to speculate, now, upon the
probable consequences to The different sections
Of the country, ii the Union had not taken
place, or if il should be dissolved but il may
reasonably and pertinenty be asked. why should
the slaveholding States, united by bond Of
common interest so powerful, be less abe 10
take care Of themselves than others who have
no common bond of INTEREST,"
1t is not fear, but affection, which has in
duced the South TO keep watch with so jealous
an eye over the purity and integrity Of the Con-
stituion and she has never been turned aside
from her purpose, by any considerations Of the
advantage which she might Immediately derive
from the violation or evasion Of that instrument
The commerce and manufactures of the North
have in their turn been fostered by the Genera
Government: the South promptly and cheer
fully contributed her share Of blood and rea-
sure called for by war undertaken to resent
aggressions on our commerce but all that she
has ever asked from ear common Government
has been rigid adherence to the Constitution
no iayors. but rights.
Its perhaps natural that certain politicians 10
the North should have mistaken this spirit for
timidity, or fondness for distractions, or want Of
a proper degree Of practical worldly wisdom and
ewdness; but the result WI prove, we ust,
that she has been governed by the highest order
of wisdom aud policy. She can now app al
with clear conscience, to the friends of union
throughout the country, to aid her in the main
tenance OF her constitutional rights.
The ablest and most artfu of The assailants Of
these rights is unquestionably Mr.. John Quincy
Adams. Deeply learned in all that concerns
the history of our country and GoYernment