The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-11-09
III r M A DISONIAN.
CONVENTIONAL RIGHTS OF THE SOUTH

4 repeated, and brought before the minds of The
PEOPLE, that our Constitution, or national com
pace' was The result of q carefully considered
compromise among the respective Colonies or
States which were parties 10 it, Wholly inde-
pendent Of each other, as they were previous to
the war OF the Revolution and differing in soil,
csimatss population aud local advantages, there
were many conlendins interests to reconcile,
and probable causes Of collision 10 guard
against. II required, therefore, the utmost
skih and wisdom TO arrange the terms of a COM
pact which should be acceptable 10 all but it
was finally accomplished under the auspices of
( such men as George Washington and Benja-
min Frankin--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 subjec, of
compromise was the institution of negro
slavery in the Southern Sla,es--an instilu-
''on or'ginslfnforced upon the people Of that
section Of the country, by the mercantile and
trading interest Of the North, whose cupidty
was fosfer~d ard encouraged from sordid mo-
lives. By the Government of The mother coun-
Try. Al THE time Of The formation of our Con-
stiu'ion il was IS clearly oreseen as it Is clear
" seen now, that "a institution creating such
broad mark of distinction between the North
and the Sou,h, 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 TO continue, the weaker section,
10 point OF population, it was necessary 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
sakesof Union. But for those peculiar features
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 indispulable that, but for
the provisions in question: the slave holding
states never would have entered the Union and
1t IS equally certain that the same great law of
self-Preservation, which would have prevented
them from entering it, would be quite as imper-
alive IN its dictates now, if those provisions
should be In any manner evaded or annuIed, or
the balance OF power which they were intended
TO establish destroyed, directly or indirectly,
r'posely or accidentally.
Those provisions, therefore, may be said to
e>ntaIn the essence Of the Union, and to const-
tute Its vital point where wound would be
death to it. And il is not the mere letter of the
provisions that must be adhered to, but the sp-
rit and intent OF them. To assail these provi-
slons in any manner, openly or insidiously, is to
assail the Union itself.
II Is from these considerations that the people
OF the South have been, from the commence
ment of our national existence, so earnest and
Persevering in their demands for strict con-
struclion OF the Constitution: mol from the sell
hsh and tinorous apprehensions with which
they have been tainted, that the Union is pecu.
iiarly necessary TO their safety, but because
strict construction of the Constitution is indis-
pensable to the continuance of the Union for if
1t 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, il the Union had not taken
Place, or if il should be dissolved but il may
reasonably and pertinently be asked, why should
the slavehodng States, united by bond of
common interest so powerful, be less abe TO
take care Of themselves than others who have
no common bond Of INTEREST,"
IL is not fear, but affection, which ba, IN
duced the South 10 keep watch with so Jealous
an eye over the purity and int gritty of the Con-
stltution 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 General
Government the South promptly and cheer
fully contributed her share OF blood and ,rea-
sure called for by war undertaken to resent
aggression on our commerce; but all that she
has ever asked from our common Government
ha. beeRr rigid adherence to the Cons tuition
no favors. but rights.
II is perhaps natural that certain politician, in
the North should have mistaken this spirit for
timidity, or fondness for distractions, or want Of
aproper degree Of practical worldly wisdom aud
shrewdness: but the result will prove. we uust,
that she has been governed by the highest order
of wisdom and 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 artful Of The assailants of
these rights is unquestonsbIy Mr. John Quincy
Adams. Deeply learned in all that concerns
the history Of our country and Government
and having been almost contemporary with he
trainers Of the Constitution, none know better
how and where 10 assam that instrument, and
through it, the Union.