Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-11-01

riotiSm, so intently aiming TO augment the great
ness, wealth and power, of ther country, as un-
guardedIy to overlook the peculiar complications
and nice adjustments of its political system.
AS people, we are generally calm and conser-
vative-perhapS more tamely so than is eongenia
with the spirit and anticipatons of the Constitu-
ton There is one provision of that instrument
which, more strongly than any other, marks its
practical wisdom, and yet it is curious see with
what almost superstitious dread we shrink from
bringing it into action. | refer to the power and
process of amendment. Our organic law was put
IN writing, its delegations and restrictions of iuris
dIGuon were given express and visible certainty,
but, as all human fabrics are contessedly imper-
feet and should ever be adaptable to the times the
mode of peaceful change, correction addition,
was prescribed with equal exactness. Why is it
that we endure years OF dangerous agitation, un-
settling sentiments as fellow citizens and wind
ing gradually up to a social convulson, rather
than frankly resort to this profered expedent?
Certainly, the Constitution cannot be touched
with too much reverence; certainly what is usual
ly stigmatised ''tinkering" should be res
olutely avoided; but when it is plain that the
proper occasion has arisen, that nothing less solemn
can be efficacious, and that the very union it
ates and cOnseryaes, is at risk, why are we to re-
coil from the provided sanctuary? One Of the
authorized forms of amending is unaccompanied
by hazard of any kind-that of congressional re-
commentator, TO be followed By the approval Of
three -fourths of the local legislatures Such a
process seems just now to be unpromsing; but it
may, after candid and ditluse discussion, tuln out
otherwise. Surely the Union is valued sufficient
ly to rally for its risk and renovation Lwenty-four
Of the thirty-one States: or are we alrcady pre-
pared TO admit that the American pt ople have be
come Incapable of f-goyerumen,--lncapab of
appreciating the true sources of their wonderful
IL / L Il
though boisterous guides ready TO lead them,
through dlsunion, into mutual and rancorous ieal-
ousieS, into dependence On foreign guardianship,
into civil and scryile wars, and into the roor feuds
of village trades and tariffs? | think it always a
mistake to talter in reliance upon the shrewd and
sober judgment OF the great body of our fellow
citizens. They were wise enough to discern the
untried excellence of the Constitution; they were
wise enough to amend, aye, and most admirably,
the work as it came from the hands Of Washing
ton, Madison, Franklin and Hamilton; are they
not wise enough then to apply single and simple
cure for q disease which, after many years of la
tent torpor, has suddenly alarmingly developed ?
With me there is no doubt that if my countrymen
be given the legitimate opportunity, they will ex-
pr"ssly and unqualiedy prohibit soontr or later
what | have heretofore humbly believed they had
by the strongest implication already prohibited =
They will prohibit from being forced by the sCph-
lstries Of zeaots to enact the part of consolIda-
JIon; they viii place the constitutional canon too
paIpabIy tor miSconstructOn, against the self
slaughter OF inLermeddhng wish institutions and
rights exclusively OF Stale creation, State respOn-
sibllity, and State control; they will render ii i'm
possible, by any process short OF treason or revo-
luton, to convert the coniedtracy mo The mt ans
of destroying the equality of It's own members, or
to direct It's energies to fulfill the behests of some
higher Tar starting up like the cyultca of the min
ute, from the ever ranging and incalculable phan-
tastes Of the inner man.
have dispass;onatelv, but anxiously watched
the manifest OF political sentiment in the North
and East, since the adjournment of Congress, and
shall be most happy to find my impression dispc-
ed IN the future. At first the movements OF the
masses were independent of leadership, and gave
a noble earnestness to indicate their good faith
and to maintain the institutions and harmony of
the Union; but, and | say it with reluctance the
horizon was not long permitted to remain fat
terng. The Abotionists beat again their bar
barc gong, the love OF representative assemble
-es regular to casual, was again tauntirg and
vindictive; paltry and personal ambition renewed
The agitation by which alone its hopes are fed
Vermont, Massachusetts,, Ohio, New York, and
even Pennsylvania. exhibited in succession sad
proof that their respective portions of the great
Wing party were unwilling to forego the custom
fected not TO know, to dsbeleye as fanciful or TO
despise if real, the dangers OF their course, the
bold bully OF anti-slavtry defed TO his face the
eloquent apostle of Union, and deted him with
impunity. The newspaper editorials, with eXcep-
tons few and far between, merged in the common
current; at last it has become quite manifest has
1t not If? and why represS our convictions y that
the expectation fondly indulged, OF .lar QUILTING
the country by the legislative measures. is delu-
slve. The act for the extradion OF fugitves is
the pretext for protracted and pe.<eve1ing war
upon the guarantees Of the Constitution; and il
we are to raise the siege to which that instrument
is still subjected, eau we do better than reinforce
it from the arsenal, and with the orders of the
people? [ desire nothing much the SAFETY
of the Union-place It beyond the striking dis
tance of cunning as we'll as mad fanatcisnl-do
this, if you can, without resorting to the final
remedy; but if you cannot, then give to the Con
stituton an express, positive, prohibitory amend
ment, which shall toreUer end the entansiements
and pretexts of Interpretation.
But what, you may ask. if this doubtful and
dilatory course should prove abortve? Much
time and opportunity will have been afforded
Congress, the Executive and the people will have
perceived that the resources of the Constitution
for the defence of State rights were patiently ex-
hausted and may become sensible that single
further step of invasion WILL like the last feather
on the camel's back, break down the eonfederaey.
At all events the responsibility OF pertlnaclously
pervertng, after reiterated warning, the functions
of the Union, will, even more strongly than now,
rest with those who dare gravely claim to doml-
neer the condition and conscences OF others In