The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-29
From the Belfast (Me. Repub

A
In America the prncp pile OF the Of the peo-
pie Is not either barren concealed, with other
nations II Is recognised by the customs and proclaimed
by The laws spreads freely and arrives without mpedi.
mont at It's consequences II there DO
ny In the world where the doctrine Of the sovereignty OF the
people can be fairly appreciated where be- studied In
It's application to the affairs OF society and where its dan
gers and It's advantages may DO foeseen that county is
| assuredly America
IN. De 7ocqusuale D,me1aey in Amsriea"
The writer whose words have suggested TO us some
ideas which seem peculiarly worthy OF attention at this
moment came among us with the avowed intention OF
examining the nature and spirit OF our democratic nslu
tons in contrast with those of the Old World The re-
suits OF these reflections have been Embodied in work
winch examines IN candid and impartial manner the
basis upon which our democratic structure has been
founded. tie has carefully examined this basis with
heieon Men seem at this moment to forget what lies
al the bottom OF our political tabric-he sovereignty of
the people They speak OF our laws though, in a
democracy, they do not directly from the people
themselves and they would ain plume themselves upon
resisting the law, and claim Tor themselves those honors
winch history bestows upon who, under far different
Now what we wish to show is, that in doing this they
lose sight OF The bases OF our institutions, and forge, the
great :, principle OF the sovereignty OF The people"
In The present position OF our national affairs il be-
comes necessary TO look below the face OF things and
10 guiate our action by principles at the bottom of
political fabric, and which seem to have been overlook ed
by some men who profess 10 regulate themselves by
their own ideas OF right and wrong.
Among the " no established our democsatical form
OF government existed TWO antagonlscal IDEAS The
party feared the consolidation OF governmental power
and the other believed larger degree OF power mast be
lodged in our national legislature to insure the perma-
hence of the government The result was the democrat
cal constitution which we possess which secures the
right OF universal suffrage and lodges the power OF self
government directly in the hands OF the people This
constitution IS the basis OF all our laws. Now. there
can be document OF its length and force carefully
constructed il from the possibility of differ
ent interpretations, we find men VINO differ in opinion
to the consiutionalty OF important enactments OF
national Legislature We do propose here to ex-
anime the constuonality unconstituonality of any
law, but only TO speak OF what conceive to be the
duty OF citizens OF government established the basis
OF universal sovereignty. #s#
Many OF our ciuzens to have forgotten truth
put forth by the author we have quoted above 10 wit
that whenever the political laws of the United States
are TO be discussed is with the doctrine of the
eighty OF the people that must begin" Men. in the
heat OF their opposition 10 an existing law. have ad
vanced the doctrine that right and conscience dictate
violent and revolutionary resistance TO it, Now, con-
tend that right and conscience (alowng them TO be the
true bases OF the actions OF men dictate such thing
bad laws exist under our system OF government, If
laws enacted which initiate against the constitution
It is in far different course of action that seek
for remedy; for we hold that in democraca govern
ment there be such thing justiabe revolution
which exhibits itself in violent and forcble resistance
to law And such violence cannot come from majority
OF our whole people; for from the of our ns,u-
tlons such course would be one OF se.destrucon
and It's natural result would be first anarchy and next
despotism. We say, then, that under government
where the great right OF universal suffrage secured there
can be no such thing Unsuitable violent resistance
the law for in the very existence OF that right is The
edy for the evils OF bad government Under our system
the people, through the RICH, Of universal suffrage ca
abrogate an unjushabe act OF their servants which may
mol reflect the public wil,hal, too. with the soonest
expedition. We say, then, that conscience and en-
lghtened of right cannot dictate violence or rev.
outonary opposition TO law under republican system
IL is from these considerations that dissent from
the extraordinary doctrine recently prom 1gaed by many
prominent individuals, the ELECT that resistance to
law and revolutionary violence have become a high and
religious duty This doctrine expressed in the follow
tnna at9a I,1
leaders OF a law opposing convention in Boston:
" la the mean time, every individual should determine
IN question There Yepa as, an ., Sonssss
an unconstitutional law The former be obsyed til it
Is repealed Disobedience the later Is frequently the
only mode oil testing us uncons,Imtonality"
The Hon John Mclean, OF Ohio, in recent letter.
says, IN reference to unconstitutional laws
An unconstitutional act Of Congress imposes obga
viii conuoveu this"
dissent II they speaking of despotc laws enacted
under government based upon monarchical system-a
government IN which the people cannot make and
make their own laws-the doctrine would be rue', for
under such governments dsobedencerevo ulion-is the
only avenue whereby 10 escape oppression. But is
SO with us and that violent opposition to unjust law
which 10 commendabe under one system OF government
is TO be deprecated under another Revolution in
arcby has far different Specification from what il has
under republican system The one must necessarily be
be peaceful Univeral suffrage places in the hands OF our
people the available means OF peaceful revolution and
every change Of national governmental policy we
call republican revolution.
Now, we reverence some revoutionizers who have
achieved by violence what governmental system
ables us 10 achieve through peaceful means Groin well
holds high place in the estimation OF men for resisting
King Charles the First We have pleasant recolleciions
oil Hampton, Sidney. and Ppm. For all we know his
tory may yet sweeen the name OF Jack Cade, and learn
posterity TO look upon him true friend Of liberty
Old Jenny Geddes is entitled 10 lasting respect for resist
ing the laws which restricted religious freedom Blu,
ia thn. a.. 49,.
of them martyrs for the of truth and liberty we
cannot class with them our Wendell Phpses Theodore
Parkers, Lloyd Garrisons, and Abby Kelys, even
II admit that the laws which they propose violate
worthy OF universal execraon The reason is be.
The system OF government under which they live
land which all hold TO be the perfect OF govern
mens) opens another and better way the Of re-
form.
We conceive then, the course OF these men directly
opposed 10 the of human right aud to republican
government II every man is to Judge Tor himself of the
proprety OF every law and OF the by which it is 10
be opposed, easily conceive that shall
come 10 disregard all law, and amid violence, anarchy
and confuson we may raise up despo,sm. Men may,
perhaps honestly deny the consinuonaliiy and justice
OF enactment and counsel violent opposition il,
under the supposon that they doing good work
law is unconstitutional, and tends the CONSOLE
dalton of governmental power But is not their action
based upon the maxim that might is right and that
.ence must govern
We have considered this whole matter as an ethical
question, and not question OF the censu,lonality
consiitutopay OF any law We have aimed to show
that there Is right way and a wrong way 10 10 what
erned by conscience counsel violence and forcibe
resistance 10 law in a country where all law emanafcs