The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1857-03-26
The Dfed Scott CaSc-The Law 'Of
the T1Rnd.

Probaby no opinion ever uttered by the
Supreme Court of the United States caused /
iasSgreat acommotion in The ranks Of apo
Iitical party, as that which was rendered by ,
Chief Justice Taney, in the case above NAM
ed. During the late Presidential conflict,
the constitutionality Of the Missouri Com
promise was discussed in the newspapers,
on the stumps in cities, villages and ham
lets. The Republicans contended that the
Ouuiprcmise was Just and constitutional
The Democrats affirmed the contrary doc
tfine. Theright of Congressional friterfer-
,ence with slavery in the territories constitu-
ted the chief corner stone Of the Republican
faith. Now, when the question comes fairly
before the only tribunal competent to decide
it, and the verdict isrendered, how the tow
er which they have built, crumbles to ruins!
The foundation of their faith is rotten, and
the hopes which they have cherished are
scattered like the mists Of morning.
But the decision rendered in the Erred
koCOl So5OS 10 uO'S III thO VIZ" Oa-MuA - SNA
opponents, final and conclusive. Two oI
The Judges gave acontrary opinion, and these
opinions are taken out Of tie hands Of the
regular publisher, here they would appeal
In due time and form, and are now spread
broadcast over the North, and constitute
the battle cry of the broken forces Of Re
publcaDism. The decision OF Chief Justice
Taney, is not yet published. Those opin
ions which purport to be his, are incorrect
Another m ode of getting over the diff
Guilty is by charging the majority of the Su
preRe Court with corrupt motives. AS I
usual rule those who are themselves mos
easily corrupted, are disposed to prefer SINH
lar charges against others, and it is proba
bly, 30 In this instance. But let US look a
the question moment and enquire whether
there are any grounds for the assertion thai
these seven majority Judges were governe,
by base and dishonorable motives. Wa!
Chef Justice Toney corrupted! What mo
tive. could possibly induce man in his posi-
ton to render q verdict which he knows t.
be unconstitutional and wrong! 1T capno
be the hope Of pecuniary gain. He has ar
Substance Of this worlds goods. 1t canno
be the hope Of promotion to Office. He i
an old man about eighty years ofage. Mex
to the Presidency, he already occupies th
highest Office in the government, and hi
great age f6rbids his election to the Prcsi
dency. Was it his fear of the administra
tion or the people! No, for he is above an
sion for life. Was it for the sake OF honor
The honor Of Judge lies in the business {
Mis- decisions and the correctness of his opir
ions. He leaves behind him in the recol
OF his decisions the rule which is to dete
mine the measure Of his greatness.
What motive, then, could have governt
him in rendering this verdict! We answ,
none but an honest motips--no desire bot i,
perform faithfully and conscientiously
duties as the Chief Justice of mighty n
tion. The charge of corruption would
with far greater force against Judge McLe
thDn against Justice fancy. The former
known to be an aspirant for the Presidenc
while the latter is not, The former h
sent his opinion in full as an eleciioneeri
document, all over the North, while the |,
ter handed his only to the Reporter to q
pear when the next Volume Of Reports sh
be issued.
Sill we would not charge anybody W
corruption. We believe that all the Juds
were honest, both those who delivered
majority, aud those who delivered the |
nority opinions. We are glad that the v,
ed question is settled aud put TO rest for,
af. Now, all good citizens Of the Uni
knowing what the law really is, will obse
il. Those Republicans who honestly
spect the provisions Of the Constitution |
intend to be governed by them, will
che party whose creed violates the Consti
tion, and those whose aim from the beg
HiDg has heeS and is, to destroy the COVE
meat. will continue .odenounce both jud
and laws.
crit is supposed that Comoafoffs
win immediately follow the receipt in lIs
co'of the news of the rejection of Mr.
sE