The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-03-26
THE PAST AND PRESEyT


TWAS proud day for Grea. Britain, when
Mansfield, speaking for the Judiciary of that
land, and the law which should govern ii. an
nolnced, that whatever the condition of man
might have been elsewhere, the moment he
trod EHglish soil he was free. The glory OF
that decision has not vet passed away. nor will
1t ever subsde. But as if our highest Judicial
officers meant to put themselves ir dark con-
trast with it, they have (with three exceptons.)
not only ignored It's principle, but set their
flinty faces against the policy of our par.,
whether that policy rested upon the goodiy
doctrine of tie Common Law, or the noble
sentiments of the Declaration of Independence.
We must confess we are shocked at the vio-
lence and servility of the Judicial Reyoutio
caused by the decision of the Supreme Court
OF the Uuited States. We scarcely know how
to express our detestation of its iuhuman dicta.
or to fathom the wicked consequences which
may flow from it. The blood of the early day
of the times that tried mems souls--was at
healthful and strong, and lived, or was shed
for Liberty as freely as water That is now
changed legally. This decision has sapped
the constitution of its glorious and distinctive
features; and seeks to pervert it into a barbar.
Gus and unchristian channel.
Jefferson feared this Supreme Court, and
foretold its usurpation of the Legislative pow
er OF the Federal Government. His prophecy
is now reality. The terrible evil he dreaded
is now upon US. e-sMs.e ri, g..
TO say or suppose, that Free People can
respect or will obey decision so fraught with
disastrous consequence, to their people ard
their Liberties, is to dream of impossibilIties.
No power eau take away their rights They
will permit no power TO abridge them. No ser
Witty of Judges or of Presidents, no servility
of Congresses can taint their spirit or subdue
II. The contest has come, and in that contest
the Supreme Court, we are sorry to say will be
shorn OF its moral dower-will lose that pres
tige; that authority, which instinctively insures
respect and commands obedience By its
own bad act it has impaired its organz alton.
Fortunate will it be, if that act does not des-
troy its utility.
The New York Evening Post says:
The time which is chosen for this juridical
revolution-iust after the adjournment of that
department of the government most injured by
decision, and at The commencement of a new
advantage in reconciling the people to its doc
irines themselves. aud the constitution of the
court, that majority of its members have con-
sented to become parties to combination with
the administration to transfer the political con.
troll of this government TO the hands of the
slave oligarchy, beyond the possibility of re-
covery by the free, states of their fair shars
of influence
So long as the subject was within the range
OF Congressional action, so long the voice Of
the people could be heard, ana their wishes
could impress the legislation Of the couutrv.-
To get the subject beyond the reach of these
influences; to make every Judicial tribunal in
the nation and every lawyer a sworn ally of
slavery propagandism, il was only necessary
TO secure the cooperation of the Supreme
Court, and that has been done. A conspiraey
has been entered into of the most treasonahIe
character; the Justices of the Supreme Court
and The leading members of the new admins
tration are PARTIES TO it. Ore who runs NAV
read the evidence of it in every revelation from
the capital.
possession of the public mind. there is an end
or the Supreme Court; for judicial tribunal
which is moi rooted in the confidence OF the
people. will soon either be disregarded- as an
authority or overturned.
That there has been for long wears a conspir-
acy against Freedom 10 this Republic, and that
certain members of the Supreme Court were
engaged in it, we do not doubt How this has
happened. or why, it is needless 10 discuss now.
II is enough to know, that continued resi-
dence at Washington-the breathing in Of its
central and polluted atmosphere, makes or
tends to make, those in authority, at once obe-
dienf and servile to the ruling dynasty. and
Gallons TO the purer and higher instincts and
principles Of the people The Judiciary has
proved no exception. We would, therefore,
apply the remedy which jefferson urged, and
Jackson ded--decentralization. Strip
the President Of every power which the peo-
pie can exercise. Let every Office which thep
are able to fill, be filled by them Coniide in
to their hands the election of the Judges Of
the United States, and thus infuse into these
Judges knowledge Of their interests, a spirit
and purpose kindred with Il eirs, an indepen-
dence of the Executive worthy of thsm.-
Chicago Tribune.