Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1851-03-21
Governor Morton's Letter.

Ex-Governor Morton Of Massachusetts, has
written letter Ia the "Frccsol and Demo
cratic members of the Legislature" there, IN
which he objects TO the election Of Mr.. Sum
mer, as L. :. Senator. because he cannot, II
elected, represent majority Of the Common
wealth or any considerable portion OF them
and because be is ha, rinc,ured with the
"hgher law" heresy.
Governor Morton claims TO be ircc'solIcf
bu, !, shows the cvursc IL events, just now
that his reccn, letter. among some things
whi.h are objectionable, conlalns Yet much
sound doctrine, upon the grca, subject OF the
day.
For instance, he says. -
II anything can be done for the amellora'
ton OF slavery, It must be based on the Cons'''
tuition and the Union, and must be directed by
a s,ric, adherence To all the provisions Of the
one and laws Of the other.
And again. he goes strongly in favor o
obcying the laws
1t is the theory Of Democratic govern
men, that every citizen asscn,s TO the laws b,
which he is governed. Nsr is this FAR iro"
the practical operation. All agree to b'
bound by the acts Of the majority, and thus
give their asscu, to whatever the majority
shall enact. II We dislike their acts, LET u'
take measures To change the MAJORITY aud ~
peal them. but lc; Us submit To the laws
while they exist, aid above all, le, no, exec
uti,e iudicial officer undertake TO dispcns'
with duly enacted statutes. II they decm
law unrighiecus, le, them resign and relieve
themselves from tie obligation to carry itint'
effect. Bu, le, U, no, resolve society into III
original elements and leave every man, accor
ding to hi. strength or power, 10 do what
sccmcth rirh, in ais own eyes.
Towards the chsc Of his letter, We find The
following paragraph -
. have the hirncs, Vcncraiion for the wis
forecast and the enlightened patriotism Of th'
I trainers Of ou' Federal Government An,
though the Constitution contains some provis
/ TON, which regret To see In II, Vet II un
douhtcdly WIS the very bcsi which could h
obtained. AMI we have inhnitly greater rca
sous for gratitude for It's wisdom, than o
dissatisfaction for it, impericc,ions. \ "a
iional love e liberty. pure patriotism, an'
proper regard ior those Who suffer undc
It's pru,isioni, alike requires 4 conslan, adhe
renee To all r. principles, and a faithful exc
cu,iun Of all Il. stipulation and be "oul'
break or wcak,n one link IN this chain, Whicl
holds together our glorious Union, mus, b
incapable Of approaching It's blessings or de
void Of proper attachment To the irres' ans
bssi government on earth.
While would have everything done 70
the mitigation Of the evil. Of slavery, which
can b. done consistently With the Cons,i,u
ton and Laws OF our cour,ry, would not IN
fringe 4 title Of either, And this Is alike 'h
dictate Of policy and principle. Every IN
constitutional OF unlawful effort To brcal
chains or loosen the ict,cts Of the slave, nv
cts them the more CALLING.
lie thinks, too, that as Slavery Is a Stat
institution, the Southern States mus, cooper
ate necessarily in order To eject is abol'iio
and adds
How important is il, then, diai We shoul'
give no unnecessary ontucc To- ihcm, and
there now in less disposition TO favor cman
cipa,ion than formerly, how much Of the de
cline is imputablc to the unconstitutional
and lawlcss acts of Northern zeilo,s. Nv,
are no, willing to execute the letter Of III,
Constitution in favor Of the South, how cal
Ne cNpcc, the South to Join Us IN carrying
out It's tendencies and spirit.
These sentiments are none the less sonn'
bccausc they came from ircc-sOil quarter
They indicate, on tia, account, the direction
IN which the currcn, is now setting. The,
are ccnsurcd by some of the aboliiionlsts, an,
are No, in accordance with the Garrison plat
form, bat wha, is much better, they are prais
ed by those who love the Union, aud the
show a decent regard for the Constitution an,
I Lou az a., land - Iron,