The organizer., 1850-06-29

CONSTITUTION uOeS not pTOL6CC MA
jority; for they have all the powers o.
the government in their hands and
can protect themselves. The limita
tons of the constitution are designed
to protect the minOrity--those who
have no power, against those who
have it. Hence, the great motive and
duty of self protection is peculiar to
a minority, independent of that faith
to the consultation which they owe in
common with the majority. They
must protect themselves, and protect
The constitution; and if they fail in
this double duty. they are at least as
culpable as those who, in aggres-
sing upon their rights, overthrow
the constitution. And the public
opinion of the world is in conformity
with these views. The oppressor is
hated-but the INCREASINGLY oppress
ed is despised. More respect follows
the tyrant, than the slave who
submits to his power. The Southern
States, therefore, although minority.
are not exempt from the responsibility
Of preserving the constitution, and,
in preserving it, to protect them.
selves.
In what way shall they preserve the
constitution and protect them.
selvesl
As a general rule, it is undoubtedly
true, that when, in a government like
ours, constitution is violated by a
majority, who alone can violate it in
matters Of legislation, il cannot be re.
stored 10 its integrity through the
ordinary means of the government;
for these means, being under the con.
troll of the majority, are not available
TO the minority. 1t is for this reason.
that frequent elections of our rulers
take place in our system of free gov.
ernment. in order that the people, by
their direct intervention, may change
the majority. But this resource can
not avail US in the violations of the
oOAAIitution, which. now press and
harass the South. By changing
their representatives, how can the
people OF the South affect the major.
ity in Congress and restore the consti.
tutioni Their Representatives are
true; and have done all that men can
do, to preserve the constitution from
the aggression of the majority. Re-
moving them and putting o'her repre-.
in Congress, could have no
effect in restoring the constitution.
Ii has been broken by the representa-.
tives Of the people Of the northern
States. who sustain them in their
violations of the constitution. Ii Is
clear that the ballotbox Of the South
is powerlesS for lis protection. And
the same causes which induced the
violations of the constitution by the
northern majority prevents its res
Ioration to its integrity. Through
out the northern States, there has
been no indication OF any change in
their policy. On the contrary the
majority against the South is greater
in the present Congress than in the
last, following the usual course Of
every successive election for years
past. Nor have we seen in the action
Of the State, with few exceptions, any
proof Of returning sense Of justice
10 US, or of reverence for the consti-
tuition. Several of them. lest false
Inferences might be drawn as to their
position. have taken care lately to
reiteraie in the most offensive forms
their formrr declarations against our
rights; and when n great senator rep
one Of them, anxious for the
pepetuation Of the Union. has ven>
Iured to advocate something Of justice
10 the South, be has been rebuked by
he legislature OF the Stale be repre-
,ents, and virtually denounced for
iis fidelity to the constitution. This
'esource, then, under the ordinary
,prrations Of the constitution, is Of no
lvail. And how is il with the pres.
mt Congress, the only other source
II redress in the usual administration
,e the constitution For six months
L has been m srssion, and during this
whole period Of time slavery has been
be absorbing topic Of discussion and
igitation. Yet nothing has not done 70
zeal the discontents which 30 justly
,Kist in the South, or restore 9
constitution. All we have
eceivrd has been bitter demonstrations
& our Institutions By many members
e Congress- and threats 90 coeree Us,
nto Submission. Aldlough nothing
l.rs tren done. report has been
made IN The senate By a committee Of
thirteen membsrs, which is nov