Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-03-26
H. ans justice.
...n xsssed .tnreu s.sh'
,perhaps Of .;u-.:
'ui,Dce on -. y

w.u,a L.. ...s ....o nc horrors of anarchy,
will. not the same views rs others who may be
more intrepid, and who may think they can come
out of it without hazard to themselves. There
is nothing 30 mischievous TO society rs any
movement affecting its stability, uncontrolled by
responsibility and unrcguIated by intelligence.
B:gotrv, fanaticisnl, and prejudice, are fatal
counselIors; and under Sharps rifle influence
they have exercised their influence on the issue
Of the day.
Now, before approach the main point, must
disnose of some OF the remarks made by the
Senator from New Hampshire Mr.. Hale.
reply to his remarks because he has been in this
Chamber for longer period than the Senator
from Massachusetts, Mr.. Wilson,, and has had
associations here which think ought at least 10
have tempered some of his expressions. do
not intend to use the language Of asperity in
this debate, if ] can avoid it !; but allow me to
say to the Senator from New Hampshire that |
think, when he used some expressions not only
in relation to the President Of the United States,
the Chief Magistrate of this Confederacy, but in
relation TO the Supreme Court, and other De.
partnents of this Government and when he
allowed himself to read from newspaper, under
the signature of an anonymous writer, statements
in reference to distinguished gentleman with
whom he had been associated here-I will do
him the justice 10 say that hardly think he
consulted the dictates of bis own nature for
believe that generally he has rather shown u
temper TINT would lift him above such things
except when he acts as the committed archer
pulling The arrow under the behests of his urg.
ing huntsman. The Senator from New fIamp.
shire is committed advocate to sectional
fanalical organization; and, perhaps, he is not al
liberty to deny The authority under which he has
entered the Senate.
Sir, what did hear him say? That The Su.
preme Court of the United States was the cit,-
del of slavery. He did not know, when he
made that remark, how far it extended and what
it might not embrace. Is he not associated
with class Of politicians in this country who
have said that the Constitution of the United
Ste,es-the fundamental law Of their country
was the citadel of slavery! Yes. sir. have
had pamphlets within the past week laid on my
desk, maintaining that the Constitution of the
United States itself is the citadel of slavery and
that, unless il is broken down. and the institu.
ton Of slavery thereby reached in all the States
it is Constitution which ought to have no
validity and obligation. / think have seen the
same statements in u paper called the Radical
Abolitionist When the Senator speaks of the
Supreme Court as the citadel of the institution
of slavery, he might better have designated them
as opposed 10 those who have called the Con.
s,itution of their country the citadel Of slavery
Sir, / would prefer regarding the Judges of the
Supreme Court, as far MS know anything Of
their decisions, as the sentinels and defenders Of
the Constitutions Constitution recognising
The equality of the States, and at least imposing
or them such obligations as that they nre not
permitted TO transfer their judgments into ano.
ther jurisdiction, prescribed, suppose, by what
is technically called the higher lava jurisdic,
ton of di scretion and prejudice.
They have not gone down, or up-as gentle.
man may choose to consider ito the higher
law. AS far MS know the court-and have
had intercourse with its venerated and venerable
chief justice, from my official position as chair.
man of the Committee on the Judiciary-l do
not believe have ever known a body Of men
more honestly disposed to do their duty under
the obligations of the power which gave them
the right to discharge Judicial functions. be.
lieve, when our first parents were driven out OF
Paradise, it WAS under The suggestions of the
higher law. The devil went in and suggested
10 Eve that there was higher law; and, disre.
gardinp the law under which she was placed ir
Paradise, she and her posterity have suffered the
penalties of d;sobedience: transgression is sin
| wish 10 recognise no tribunal and no set o
opinions which will attempt TO rule the country
except by some prescribed law, and a Consiitu
tion laid down for them by those who give then
their official existencc.