Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-04-03
NOT THE RIGHT SPIRIT.


NOT THE RIGHT SPIRIT.
We propose 10 call the attention Of our
readers to matter nf interest, aud as a
kind ofiext, We clip the following from the
Washington Union
"The fate Of the Union is Clearly in
the hands of the Moth If their Legisa-
lures or their people encourage or permit
violation OF the fugitive slave law--li New
York shall be infatuated enough to pass
such a law rs has been proposed by Nj
Coiiin-if OHIO should pass the resolutions
which have been submitted to her legisa-
lure-we should feel the necessity of a more
stringent aud efficient action on the part Of
the South. - Union Of Jan. 81.
We have noted the prominent idea Of the
above paragraph, very frequently of late. in
Southern papers, aud we feel very much in
the humor Of writing oar Impressions on
tie subject
We gather from this sentence that the
existence Of the Union depends entirely up
on the submission nf HE North to the terms
which may be Offered them by the South -
La other words, the South saws. we have
proposed system of measures we say TO
YOU IA advance, that these measures must
be adopted and carried ont, ar there will
be dissolution of the Union II IS NOT
placed on any basis Of equality-nf submits
,ton 20 the legally expressed will of the mn
lority Of the American people 1t is not
founded on the theory that one section of
country has Just MS much right 10 determine
questions OF expediency as another portion.
But It is founded on an assumed superiority
that IS as baseless us It is offensive. Let Us
look a: It,
When Tins Union was formed, the States
came IN free and equal The South stood
no higher than the North The delegates
from all parts met, and formed Conslitn-
ton that defined the rights aud the duties
of the General Government II distributed
the powers Of the new government among
three departments The legislative. the ex-
eoutise, and the Judicial The constitution
defined the powers aud the duties of each.
The Legislature was authorized to make all
such laws as the general good required, not
inconsistent with the constitution The
Executive was clothed with the necessary
powers to carry out and execute the laws of
the Legislature. The Judiciary was ap-
pointed To determine and settle All questions
of dispute that mQht arse between the
States aud individuals, or the States aud
the General Government II j. the prov
lnce of that department TO determine win.
IS the law, aud what Is the constitution -
1t IS the tribunal of the last resort in these
cases Of litigation 1t determines when the
| ha...,t,t 4
infriuaes on the constitution. II is the final
arbiier IN all disputes, created by the or
I game law 10 settle disputes, aud ohsiale al
necessity of resortlng To brute force. or tn
revolution. 1t Is the clear aud well defu-
ed duty of every man To submit to the de-
cision of ,his tribunal When we think a
law is unconstitutional. there is body OF
men created to settle this very question -
BY an oath of allegiance, we are b0Hnd To
submit To- their decision We have no 9th
e. remedy but that revolutionary one ri
lorclble resistance 10 the whole frame.work
4 Of our social compact.
The Legislative Department has the pow.
er to make aud unnake laws, aud It IS the
duty of all good citizens to submit to The
expressed will of a majority of the nation Sc
( long as that will reuldlns ia the flym Of 4
constitutional law. II IS, however, Just a,
clearly the rghl OF the people 10 change OF
abolish this law as It Is their duty TO obe,
/ 1t while II is on the statute book The
power that creates law, NAV change or
repeal It. No one has a right to chatre ,
breach of devotion To- the constitution an,
the Union upon Others who may desire tia
change 1t Is question of expeieucy a.
To Time and circumstances, about which
every freeman must Judge for himself /
may he. aud often IS very uiudlcions /,
disturb or propose To disturb an existins
law, but the legal right TO do SO clearly ex
l,ts where rights have not been created un
der II. or where they would not be affected
by a repeal.
IL Is almost sel-eyident proposition tina
! II majority Of Congress see fit 10 alter %
D abolish amy law upon our statute books, 81
/ are, as good citizens, bound 10 submit. W
may oppose the change. We may pom
out The inconvenience aud dangers tina
may result FROM a change. We NAV in al
legal ways oppose II. But when il is made
through the means pointed out by the con
/, stilulion, it is Just As clearly our duty /
0 subgit to the new order Of things as II wa
: the duty of the friends of lhls change /
q submit to the laW as II was.
Let us submit the above extract from III
Is Union, tie central organ OF the Democrat
q party, to the ordeal Of these general prime
:, pies. The last Congress, at It's frs. session
saw III Ia pass new law upon the snbire
: of lugltife slaves. 1t was thought by man
y thai the decisions of the Supreme Cour
r especially IA the celebrated Pugg cas-,
j wherein II was announced that no stat, o.
e fcer was compelled, or under any "blig,
e ton 10 act ia carrying out the law of 20;
d created the necessity Of further legisallo
% on the part of Congress. We do not sto
to inquire whether this view was correct ,
: not, as this Is foreign To our present pu
pose. II is sufficient To know that a lnao
: ~ IN b'ih HOUSES thought some fu,ihs
= legislation neces>ary, aud they passed wAs
Is Known as the iuglllse slave law"