Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-06-21

The COnstilutiOn...ltS Interpreters.

Douglass change of opinion':
The Constitution lies now, ns 1t has done
from its formation, like nm avalanche upon
the millions of crushed hearts, entombing
them in living and perpetual death IN the
scpulchre ef slavery; but 1t is not to be lifted
by the timber reed of verbal criticism, or un-
official Interpretation. II must he upheaved
by the lever of Justice on the iiIlcrunl of con-
science, or penetrated and severed by Truths
sharp weapons. This is Our wor<--to bring
men TO reverence Man above Constitution,
and Right above Stntutes,--to make laws
nnd governments conform TO Justice and pro-
tect Man. This labor is too important for
us to waste time iu endless discussions about
legal technicalties. Men who choose to en-
ploy their powers aud their time in strainng
and twisting the terms of the Constitution
into novel and iancifill shapes, may ainuse
themselves, and others, 10y their ingenuity, as
some philosophers have done, in spccuIa-
tons as TO the non-existence of matter; but
there stand in ile way of all such rcasoners,
the hard realities of life, To shalter thcirpret-
~ theories at the first encounter. Earnest
men have something better TO do than to
build paper boats, to he blown to shreds in
the first storm that rises.
Ofwlat avail are all our ingenious attempts
10 set aside the uniform Interpretation of the
Constitution, by Courts, Legislatures and
people, from the origin of the Government?
Is there the remotest probability that we can
ever convince the only body whose opinions
could he of any practical rflects hessrs.
Gerrit Smith, Goodcll, Spooner and Doug
lass-however wise or learned in law they
may be--are not the urbiters of the Consl-
tuition. The Supreme Court is appointed to
that Office, and holds it alone. Its decisions
are not only authoritative upon the courts,
but command the reverence of The people no
less than the Constitution ITSELF
Upon this point, we commend TO the at-
tentlon of MIR. Douglass u late opinion of one
Oi his distinguished prcceptors in his recent
studies of Constitutional law, which, though
gwen III reference TO another subject, applies
with equal force TO this. In letter (which
Mr.. douglass copies, we presume, with APP
probation) 10 some leading opponents Of the
Canal Bill, GERRIT SMITH thus gives his
views of the authority to interpret the Consti-
tuition, and the proprieiy of appealing to tile
people upon such a question:
"You abound in arguments to prove that
the Canal Bill is Unconstitutional. But you
know-at least you ought TO know--that the
Unconsttutionalty Of u Bill is not question
TO carry 10 the people. The denngOgue will
plead, that the people arc honorcd by having
such question submitted TO them. But in
truth they are dislonorcd aud nsullcd by il .
for the submission superscdes, and treats
with contempt the peoples own arrangement
for disposing Of such II question. As well
call upon the people TO thrust aside their
Sheriff and serve Writ, as call OH them TO
thrust aside their Judiciary, aud pass upon
the Consiitutionnlly of law. The fact that
Al. Al. ~.
Judges, neither authorizes, nor inclnes the
people TO despisc aud shove aside the Sher-
ifs and Judges, and usurp their linctions.-
But this fact does require VS., by all the res
pect which is due to these creators, aud TO the
popular sovereignty, TO leave to the Judges
aud Sheriils 10 do what the people have us
signed TO them TO do, and what the people
nave created them to do.
So far, then, from the unconstilutionality
of Bill being sufficient ground for APP
pealing TO the people, it is Of all objections
20 n Bill the least entitled TO such an appeal.
For there is n tribunal whose work il is 10
pass upon the Constiiulionalty OF .law; and
this tribunal was created by the people, and
expressly for this work. But in respect to
ihe other errors IN law, there is no correc-
live tribunal between the Legislature and the
people. Perhaps, however, YOU will say,
that the unconsttutionaity OF ulnw is the
gmvest of all possible objections to it; and
ihnt, therefore, the people, and not n mere
Court, should pass upon it. To this | have
Two nnswers-lst, the people have otherwise
ordered and that in lier distribution of
powers they have seen fit to give this pO,cer
10 a mers Court"
II this reasoning be sound, then the char
acter of the Constitution, in reference 10
slavery, is settled, and TO carry the subject 10
the people, 10 change that fixed interpreta-
ton, is 10 dishonor aud insult" them, and
10 "treat with contempt their own arrange
ment."
IL might bc fortunate for the welfare ana
reputation of our country, as well as for il;
oppressed bondsmen, it the abOlitonisis haC
the power, by Interpretation, to amend the
Constitution, repeal laws aud compromises
and even strike facts from the nations histo
ry hut no dexlerity of logic or dialectic skill
will give it to MS; we may us well bear pa
iiently the limitation of our power, and con
tent ourselves with the slower process o
changing the moral sentiment OF the people
for aiier all our efforts To hurry the result
this is all that we can do. Moreover, W.
lesson our dignity aud moral power, by al
attempts to cover up or neutraize well. known
ny itSul NNIHlNHlllltS. III hiHllhiu
upon eternal principles, frankly acknowledge
ing and condenlning the errors of the pas
and the evil in our laws and constitution
and seeking to correct them by the proclama
lion of "a higher law," we commund III
respect of our enemies, aud nre infIsing
purer morality into society. But when "
descend 10 legui quibbles, and attempts 4
trick the slave power out Of It's sanctions AN
legal 'rights," we aee sl0rn of our strengtl
A word more in conclusion of these hui
Tied reflections Supposng the constitution
nj Interpretation of Spooner aud Goode
strictly correct, Of what avail il the fact 10 n
nboli'onist? The government is none Ill
less rotten with pro.slayery, the law of poll
ical parties none the less that ofcomproniis'
II we enter the government, il is upon th
implied agreement thai the will of the ma
Jorlty shall rule, and that we viii sustain il
action whether wa ar. tl,a t,oint.ifu M ,nina