Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-27

ton does not deny it, This is an assumption in the very
teeth Of the constitution which declares that Congress
powers but those granted it. That may do the gentleman
no injustice, will make other extract from his speech
which Is as follows
aWith regard to the reay-makpg power ali who have
sble which it may be carried know that
limited in its nature e1cep far any limitations may
be found within the constitution OF the United States; but
upon this subject there is Limitation which prescrbes the
extent to which the power shall be exercised"
Here again the distinct avermen that he constitution
has not withheld power from Congress, consequently has
the power which withheld This is the most atud
marian construction of the constitution that have me,
with and against which enter my solemn protest. and will
refer the 10th article of the amendments the consu
ton, which declares that Congress has but granted
powers
Mr.. Chairman, will conclude this branch Of the argu
ment by calling the attention Of the committee the suppo
siton that had been proposed TO the Convention that framed
the constitution, and recommended it to the people of the
States for their adoption that slave territory should
be acquired under it. and that slave State should
the Union and that the ten miles square, authorized
be purchased the Of Government should used
ho.-house in which force the growth of abolition and
that the clause in reference fugitive slaves inserted in
fraud and would be executed and that the non slave
holding States, by the action Of their Legislatures would make
dead letter ask, sir, If such propositions had been
made in the Convention, submitted the States would
they have received single Southern vote would the
constitution have been adopted Then, sir If the constitu
ton could not have been adopted containing such provisions
time of its adoption know better way of asceaning
what wise have done than to ascertain what they intend
ed to do The intention of the parties to treaty. covenant
other contract is always important matter to be
taned in view Of obtaining right construction Of the in
sumen The intention of the legislator is always looked to
in the construction Of law, when doubt arises TO the
construction Now, sir, let subject the claims of the
North 10 this test and they stand moment We
all know that the constitution could have existed
tanning such provisions and Notwithstanding this there
men here and elsewhere who claim this for the Federal
Government Nothing can equal the absurdy Of this claim
but its gross and papabe injustice Yes admitting
the constitutional power be in Congress do what fear
will be done the would then be better than highway
robbery. And have heard nothing said in its vndcaon,
either here elsewhere except certain fashionable
about all being born free and equal and the power Of
maores Now, sir, have great respect for the action of
such maoties prescribed by laws and constitutions,
but had rather have any other king than King Numbers
now presented to acceptance The most ghtu despo
tsm earth would be that Of uncontrolled unchecked
sectional majority II would make Government with
out limitation of powers-a great sectional dsspoism am
aware that much is said about the rights Of maotes, and
that many politicians speak of maoes subjects do of their
monarchs though they could do wrong. But maores
may be wrong we'll mnoies, and majoriies have
other rights than such they derive from the constitution
Mnories have the rights derived from the
All maores for the practical purposes of legislation
constitutional majoties and not majoies in numbers
And this is the cownng beauty and excellence in systems
Of free Governments that is, that Governments Of
constitutions and laws and Of men-no of
oIites OF freemen All in subordnaon to law, and all
have the protection Of the law-mnorties we'll MAORI
ties While the guarantees Of the constitution respected
minority has the protection in lie, liberty, and pro-
perry if they majority. The law does and ought
act alike upon every citizen.
Mr. Chairman, would our friends here be eau
ous Ia relation to the claims set up for numbers with
out proper regard to the constitution. The idea is full of dan
as was illustrated in the horrors Of the reign of terror in
France, which simply the reign of unchecked
ory In these days Of progress there danger that the
rights Of minories may be lost sight Of in the assump
tons OF maores, and that the greatest good Of the great
est number become the rule Of action without reference
to the law constitution. This is the language of dema
ggues The language Of the constitution is, the greatest
good to the greatest number without injustice any and in
subornation of the constitution. Tas is wnat ask Of
you, and this is what you refuse For the purpose of
the claims of the South will suppose of
three who have been acting partners for years
and at the end Of that time they meet together to
their business and divide their profits when the asonsh
ment Of Of the three he finds that the other have
united against him, and determined take all the profits
themselves though he had given his time, his labor and his
money the firm faithfully either Of his partners
would you expect The third man. who bad been thus treated
to remain in the firm and more especially when be told
that for the future he would be expected to labor usual
aad to contribute his money, but to expect better
treatment This precisely analogous to the siua
ton Of the Southern States. They jointly, with their
States have acquired territory by contributions of blood and
easure and they to be excluded from those terrific
res, and not for the future to expect any better treat
ment for understand that hereafter the policy of the North
be- that the whole power of this Government is to be
exercised against the institution of slavery in other words
The South and her institutions be put under the ban Of
the empire and be made the hewers Of wood and
drawers Of We expected share all the burdens
Of government while be permitted of its be-
nes Do you expect proud and chvarous people to sub
nit to treatment like this If you do, you will be sap
pointed By way of illustration, will reverse the case, and
the South the ground that hereafter no free
Stale should this Union, and that all the territory
lued should be slave territory and that the whole power Of
this Government should be exeed for the extension of slave
y and that the free States should be put under the ban
that the whole influence of this Government should be brought
bear against the free States and their institutions. You
would think mad if to assume such position
But it is bad rule that won't work both and defy
any earth to show good why preen
sion would net have the foundation in right yours
We your equals under the constitution and in every
other respect The constitution says The citizens Of each
State shall be entitled to all the privileges and mmunes Of
the citizens Of the several States" If you would submit
such treatment you ought to be kicked Of the Union,
unworthy remain in it. The same may be said in rela
ton to the South-ony, assure you, she will not wait
to be kicked Many here and elsewhere appear to have
holy horror Of the institution Of slavery, though it
heard of for the first time in the history Of country
the world They forget that their fathers sold most of
these very slaves and guaranteed rights of property in
them, under the constitution for consideration which has
been paid Some Of the very negroes that your fathers sold
still living anJ though they removed one thou
sand miles from you, they trouble you ovemuch Your
duct puts me in mind of the Pharsee of whom told
that when he stood in the temple aud prayed he thanked God
that he other the poor publican who
was before him. suppose many Of thank God that you
not slaveholders and suppose OF you, in
the spirit of the Pharsee when you look upon the por
trait of Washington which hangs upon my left the ornament
and the honor Of this hail. thank God that you such