Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-02-07
THE LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN.
BLACKBOARD, TowNLEY Il CO.,


OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES E1o.
The Constitution is a wise instrument, %embodv-
ing a great compromise plan of government. lis
wise and equitable provisions conciliated the con-
ilic,ing interests of sections; and had the lanaii.
cism and demagoguism of statesmen never intlu-
enced them TO turn its wise acquisitions to the sub
servance of party aims aud ends, quiet and ,nu-
tual benefit would have been the result. The
conflicting interests, which now agitate the coun-
trv, existed al the formation of the Constitution,
and were brought into the investigation of the
provisions, which its trainers were obligated To
make. The Constitution is not the work OF mar.
row-minded sectional men, but its formation has
been effected by patriotic representatives oil the
whole Union. Its bearing is upon the Union; ITS
protection is the protection of the union;lts provis-
ions are all for the promotion ofthe Union. The OBJ
iect Of the Constitution is the Union ofthe States.
To effect this desired result, the trainers of the
Constitution introduced an inquiry into the rights
of the States, and sought, in the formation of their
plan of government, to afford ample security TO
the privileges of each. True, the task was fraught
with many difficulties, some of which can never
be removed, except by a change in The policy OF
the States themselves. But still, the wisdom,
which was employed in devising plan of COM
promise, succeeded 10 a degree which was graft
flying, and which was the pledge of a perfect re
Cancellation and a secure protection in the future.
The task 10 be performed was tHe loTi1auol u Il
Union; the difficulty to be obviated was the pro-
lection of State Rights. \ general government,
providing for the support and protection of The
entire country was to he provided; but the coun-
try, for which the government was to be provided,
consisted OF several distinct and separate States,
each one of which laid equal claim to the protec-
ton of the general government. To frame such a
government, when the interests of the States were
conflicting, was no easy task. The existence of sla-
very in some of those States constituted an almost
insuImountable objection TO the formation of a
Constitution, which would promote the Union
And had not the wisdom OF its patriotic trainers
taught the advantage of q conciliatory spirit, the
American Revolution might have proved to be a
source of evil to the American Republic. But
such a spirit was entertained and a compromise
ensued. This compromise conceded TO the States
the exclusive power to legislate upon the subject
of slavery. The Constitution, in defining the
powers OF the general government, withheld from
Congress the right TO prohibit, introduce or abol-
ish slavery. This is a provision which affords
equal and ample protection 10 all sections. Such
being the character of the compromise, the Con-
~stitution forms a broad basis upon which the Union
can stand; and, il its provisions are but respected,
dissolution will never ensne.
To secure the operations of the principles en-
bodied in the Constitution it is essential that the
same tOlltllldlOlN NpIIli III iillIu'Il'N' w i'u
mers, be entertained. Sectional men must be con-
tentto enjoy only such rights as the Constitution
bestowS, aud when any portion of our country be-
Genes Jealous of power and seeks its augmenta-
ton al the sacrifice of the peace or privileges OF
the other, we have Just reason to lear Tor the
Union. We have, therefore, felt some uneaSl-
ness at the indications, upon the part OF Northern
members of Congress, to engratt upon territorial
bills '.the Wilmot Proviso."
But the penetration of the trainers Of the Con
stilution enabled them to foresee that period when
a corrupt majority might infringe upon the rights
of the minority, and, to prevent this infringement,
they have wisely introduced a provision crea-
ting an executive officer. 1t is the peculiar duty
ofthis officer to preven nj the violation of the provi-
Thus, has ample provision been made TO prevent
The triumph Of force and injustice over law and
equity.
those principles, which constitute our national
Union, but all OF its operations are designed TO pro-
tect and sustain the Union. 1t has not only form
ed a Union by conciliating the interests OF con-
nicting parties, but has provided for the mainte-
nance aud perpetuation of the Union, by the pro-
lection of those interests after so conclliated. We
are, then, enabled, in this excited state of the ma
ton, to turn to the Constitution and rely upon it
for protection As loversoflaw and order we will re-
spect the Constitution and adhere to its sacred pro
pisions. But should fanaticiSm, outreaching patri-
otism, permit the triumph of force over law, we
will defend our rights against entertainments and
by snch a course show that our loyalty is devo-
ton to the Constitution, and not servile submis-
sion TO the will ofan expressing majority.