Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-10-02
Philadelphia Ledger and Gov.
SeWarGn.

Seward.
The Philadelphia Ledger is paper
protesting independence on all subjects.
and is edited with much ability. The
Editors name does not appear in its col
umns. but we understand that RrssEL
JARVIS. Esq, at one time one Of the Edi-
tors Of the Washington Telegraph. is the
Editor. He is a Democrat. vet he is not
disposed to do injustice to political op-
ponent lie thus speaks Of a paragraph
Of speech made by Gov. SEWARD. for
which that gentlemen has been so much
abused:
MANY newspapers. especially those as
suming to represent the legitimate demo
cracy. have been preaching much for the
last four months about the ''lIigher Law
of Senator Seward. These newspapers.
and not a few of the letter writers. have
said ard still saw that Mr.. Seward. in his
speech upon the admission Of California
on March Ilth last. said that he recog
nised higher law than the constitution.
and should obey it whenever il contradict
ed that instrument. They opened upon
that such doctrine. which involved a viola
ton Of his oath to support the constitution.
should exclude him from the Senate; and
their crv is continued even 10 this day.
We are not the champion of Mr.. Seward.
! or of any public man. But we profess 70
be an advocate of truth and Justice. and
as such. are always ready 10 defend any
public servant from misrepresentation. As
Mr. Seward is quite as good authority Tor
what he did say, as those who have mis-
represented him, we offer an extract from
the Identical speech TO which they attach
their accusation. Here II Is.
.It is true indeed, that the national
domain is ours. is true II was acquired
bv the valor and with the wealth of the
whole nation But we hold nevertheless
no arbitrary power over 1t. We hold no
abitrarv authority over anything. whether
acquired lawfully, or seized by usurpation.
The constitution regulates our steward
ship and 0evotes the domain TO union, TO
Justice. TO defence. to welfare. and liberty.
But there is higher law than the constr
tuition, which regulates our authority over
the domain. and devotes II 70 the same
noble purpose. The territory IS part.
no inconsiderable part of the common
heritage Of mankind, bestowed upon them
bv the Creator of the universe. We are
His stewards. and must SO discharge our
trust as to secure. in the highest attain
able degree. their happiness.
This is ,rhok the Senator said, and all
that he said, about the higher law. Ii
merely acknowledges a Divine moral gov
ernment. to which the Federal constitu-
ton. and all other human compacts. are
subject, and atfirms that this moral gov
ernment eni oins for our rule Of the terri
tories, the very things required by the con-
sttution. lie says that the constitution
requires US to govrn the territories with a
view to union. to defence. 10 welfare. TO
liberty, and that. the law of God. which
reigns over all constitutions, requires the
same. Does he here place the higher law
and the constitution in conflict! Quite
the contrary. He shows that they are
coincdent. Those who deny higher
ia,c than the constitution. deny the supre-
macy Of Gods moral law, and conse-
quently noun: the platform of atheism.
There they have our leave to stay, but
they have not our leave to drag US after
them. We much prefer believing with all
Jews, all Christians. all Mahometans, all
Budhists, all Deists, Of any religion. and
Senator Seward. in the supremacy ofGod
over man. and in mans accountability to
God s moral law.