Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1850-11-08


invioabty ofthe constitution that was everEproposed
IN the history ofmora philosophy. After having voted
for an er Poacto law; having given his aid to sum-
mary enactment denying trial by jury; and multiplying
the writ of haJeas Corpus; all clear papabe, garng,
Infamous, violations the constitution; Sam A. Eliot
cody tries himself from the charge of rec
reancy and treason by saying that eve all know with
out being usts, that law can supersede the constitu
ton.
Upon the very same parity of reasoning the crosses
of criminals may lay his hand upon his heart
and eXcaim eve all know without being morat
economists that no law superscde the 'sTen Com
mandments." Ifany brigand with a speculative turn
ofmnd to declare, that abstracty the law of hon.
esy eternal; and that his personal acts of theft
though, Congressional tergiversations
could not sepersede that law, his position would be just
as enabe and his position worthy of respect as that
of the Honorable Sam. A. Eliot.
The constitution, as an embodiment of principles,
we know, to be theoretically paramount and superior
all laws by whomsoever devised or voted. But at the
same time, we know that the fugitive slave law for which
Sam. A. Eliot voted practically at naught the spr-
it and letter of the constitutions Independent of his mpu-
dent disclaimer
The constitution is a document containing certain
grand political propositions which we the people of
these states must accept and apply, they
verblage, mere words thaar written but do not live.
These theories cannot of themselves prevent
preserve liberty They cannot enforce the trial by jury
compel the nonsuspension of the writ of ha6eGs
pus. They may be superseded, trampled under foot,
condemned and spit upon and they rise up like
armed men to prevent this But in their essence they
do declare, and will declare that the fugitive slave
law; voted by Sam. A. Eliot, was enacted in direct
violation of the principles and provisions OF the
stitution.
Judicial terrorism, bribery, gagging, and summary
illegal procedure, ITS cruel and orturing FORMS
have sanction, know from the constitution; yet it
Is garng fact, that the constitution has been superse
ded by this infamous save-catching law although Eliot
in the confusion his shame and disgrace may attempt
to palliae his Russanism by enthusiastically declaring
that no law can supersede the constitution.
Men ale seized and dragged away to bondage upon
the merest pretcnce of trial Home ties are ruthless
broken chains and misery imposed upon innocent
American citizens and yet the wds of the constitution
do not assume bodily form proclaim their indgra-
ton, but will any dare deny that the living active
principles ofrepubican freedom, which constitute the
soul otha instrument have been utterly decryed and
denied by such practical demonsm. If the constitution
was mere tissue ofvapid phrases, Sam. A. Eliot has
treated tust deserved to be; but if it
to be onr rule and guide in the formation of laws and
Institutions then does he stand attanted of treason and
is arraigned before the world who despises
truth.
1t not upon the opinions of Sam A. Eliot or Crit
enden that the true Interpretation of the constitution de-
ponds. The constitution is the instrument of law
yes, but embodiment of the principles of free peo-
ple and it is upon the instincts and faith of freemen
that we depend to guard freedom and the constitution
from the assaults of such nvidious enemies as Eliot and
those who sustain him.