New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-02
The consideration Of the constitutional question was

0fr4Jtu
resumed.
WILLIAM GoopELL, in a speech OF great power,
considered the co. subject Of the constitut onahy
of Slavery and the proper manner OF Interpreting the
Constitution The key TO Interpretation Ia to
nd ourselves OF the popular falacy that there was
legBliz.d Slavery at the time the Constitution was
framed and that there was an psue made the sub
;ect in tie Convention. He said there was no com
promise made with Slavery when the Union was
formed in IVA when il confirmed in 1916 thet
the Anti-Slsvery sentiment was strong among all the
leading men Of the Revolution, though they believed
in gradual emancipation; indeed, the Anti Slavery
sentiment was stronger in Virginia than in NewYork;
Rhode Island tie slave market OF the country at that
time more deeply interested in the perpetusnon
OF Slavery than any other State He dwelt at much
length on the rules of legal construction, and con-
olud6d that the fair method OF interpretation beyond
Ieredvenure is to try the question in issue by the
several rules in succession LIST, by str construc-
ton; %, by cotemporaneous history and 81, oy
u RUE Of the Supreme Court He thought thorough
examination Of the Consultation by each of these
means Of Interpretation is convincing against the Pro
Slavery construction, and establishes concusvely the
Anti Slavery construction. II IL q Garr-onlan ial-
lacy that the Constitution il what the acts of it, admin
israOrs make il; this implies that the administrators
cannot violate the Constitution, which Is absurdsy
The speaker Led to Gen. Jacksons position to sup
port tie Constitution be understood it. The decision
Of the L. s. Supreme Court is decisive only IN the
particular cese 1t has before ii. An act of Congress
enacted by Congress and brought second time be-
fore the Court and so-if the act be anDuled again,
end Ieenacied and resubmtted-hnelly established.
Even if Slavery be constitutional now, we the people
must set ourselves 10 work and get Supreme Court
to make il unconstitutional The speaker illustrated
by bTit y rCcounug the er IN which Slavery was
abolished in Great Britain He then proceeded 10 con-
sGer the quesiiOus-Has Congress the power 10 abOl-
lib Slavery How shall they do il OF course, the
speaker COMMENDED if Slavery is illegal and uoconsii
tuiional Congress has power TO abolish it-oherwse
he osths Of the members 70 support the osstitution
Of value. Tie security OF pesonain nights guar
anteed by several par Of the Constitution, gives this
mower; further, the Constitution provides that the
United States shall guarantee to each State Repubh-
can form of Government and from this the members of
Congress cannot ESCAPE without violating their oaths
Congress finds no difficulty III doing anything II dis
covers TO be unconstitutional can abolish Slavery
by mere enactment. Tie Judiciary have the power
to abolish Shaver, by granting wrlts OF habeas cor
pus and then if the master does not justify ms claim
i the Courts GUY to dis barge tie alleged slave
If the judiciary neglect TO do their duty Congress
conf declare what the law Is by declaraory
act Congress may also decide that the slaves are citi
zens and therefore free; o. it may by enactment nat
uralize them. There are Of or ways. lbe PRESIDENT
has full power. If Gerrit Smith should one OF these
DAYS be elected TO the Presidency, 1t would not b. sur
prsirg TO see the slaves all Liberated by his proclama
lion The speaker closed 10y thanking God that the
ssouri Con promise repealed a. II was 10 hasten
the day of abolition If all Anti-Slavery men take
hold with WILL it will lot be ten years before we
shall rec the last OF Slavery in this country.
The debate was continued with great spirit by GER
RIT SsIIH, SAMUEL j. MAY, aud others. | have
given tie promiI cut points in MI GoodePs address,
for the that they are the chet reliance OF those
believing with bin, and received the hearty concur
renee of the Convention. GERRIT SMITH, in the
couIse of hir remarks, suggested thai the very first
duty of Anti-Slavery Congress should be the pre-
frIent of articles of impeachment against Pro Slavery
judges of the Supreme Court Truly yours, c. L.