The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-15

Con which is, according TO him,
"higher law" than the Constitution.
For fear of ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the
empire" by the withdrawal of California
from the Union, Mr.. SEWARD would be
willing 10 disobey "higher law than the
Constitution" He owes no positive allie
glance, therefore, 10 the laws of man or
GoD. The law of GoD is higher than the
law Of the Constitution; but yet circum-
stances may claim an allegiance above
either or BOTH This is the logical deduc-
ton from his premises. California, with
her gold and her people Of Caucasian de-
scent, for the nonce overrides every other
pretender. 1t is somewhat curious to re-
mark how glibly Mr.. SEwARD-who con-
tends that the words of the Declaration of
Independence, call men are born free
and equal" apply to the physical, intel
lectual, and moral condition Of all colors--
speaks Of the superiority and progress of
the Caucasian races. In this part Of his
remarks he took position which Southern
gentlemen have been assailed for defend
ing.
Had he not assured us that he would
have violated what he regarded as the
sshigher Law" than the Constitution, to
achieve certain or supposable good, we
might yet be disposed to question his adap-
tation to the post of steward TO the Creator
of the Universe. He tells us that
at seems to me [Mr. sEwARDl slavery had laid
| its paralyzing hand upon myself, and the blood
were coursing less freely than its wont in my
veins, when endeavor to suppose such a compro
! mise has been Effected &c.
No one will gainsay Mr.. SEwARD's ex-
quisite susceptibility who reads these re-
marks. When he grows chilly in con-
templating slavery in this country, he GER
tainly displays much greater degree of
sensibility upon the subject than the Sa-
viour Of mankind did, who spent his days
upon earth when the world was full of
slavery; than the Creator of the world,
whose steward the Senator is, evinced,
when he sent his angels to talk with men,
appeared TO the inspired writers in their
rhapsodies, and talked face to face with
Moses. We are not a acknowledgements,
as all who read this paper will bear us wit
ness; yet we must be permitted to say that
Senator whose blood freezes in his veins
in contemplating an institution which nei-
Their the CREATOR nor his only begotten
Son took exception against, should have
better vouchers for his authorized steward
ship of either than speech in which he
asserts that California, with her gold and
Caucasian races, would, under certain
circumstances, set his blood in circulation
with the certainty of general thaw.
Mr.. SEWARD argues that law for the
extradition of fugitive slaves would be
against the rights of hospitality. II the
Senator will insist upon putting fugitive
slaves upon footing with the refugees
from Hungary, France, Ireland, and else
|. where, why did he not include them in
the bill granting all those Caucasian fugi
, tives from oppression quarter section o
land to every mothers son of them
, He has fallen short of his mission In
this regard both in the Senate and a
home, for we have not heard of his joining
in public demonstration over African run.
Always, though he affects TO regard then
in the light of patriots and warriors es.
capped from lost battle-felds and conquered
countries II would be much the same in
regard to the embellishments he woult
make in the capital. When asked fol
these he would, he says, take his interro
gator TO see the free negroes, But WI
doubt if he would carry any of them home
with him, 10 be the companions of himsel
or his family, or countenance their absorp
ton into the /" Caucasian racen close BY
him. In these remarks we are merel,
considering Mr.. Stewards inconsistenc,
in putting fugitive black people upon III,
!, footing of expatriated derivatives from tn,
- Caucasian stock.
In the allegiance TO some "highcr law
>. than the Constitution, Mr.. SEWARD con
tests the obligation Of Congress to fulfil il
faith plighted in the resolutions annexin,
= Texas. We say, TO some higher law, ,
:. for we are not told exactly whether this re
! pudiation Of a solemn compact grows out o
his Interpretation of the duties Of his stew
ardship 70 the Creator Of the Universe, o
from circumstances which we see hav,
sometimes over-crowed the voice of COP
May not public man become SO mystife'
: by conflicting, circumstantial, mortal an,
!" supernatural relations, as TO become so be
wildered as not to know exactly wha
"highsr law" he is carrying out, and &C
. tually misrepresent men and his Maker
" by doing the deputy to the Devil himself
! There is no knowing where a Statesman
will end when he finds /" higher law
v | r.. L..