The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-12
THE DRIED SCOTT CASE.

delivered elaborate opinion of the Supreme Court de-
clsring the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional We
have not yet had the satisfaction of perusng ull and
authenticated report that opinion and therefore only
refer to it in general terms That it will constitute prom
inent era in our judicial history all will admit II will re-
ceve universal attention in the country, from the fact that
almost every reading wau, to whatever party he may be-
leng has read the discussion Of the history and validity Of
the Missouri Compromise and is qualified understand
the reasoning of the court.
We cherish most ardent and confident expectation
that this decision will proper reception from the
great mass of intelligent counrymen that will be
regarded with soberness and not with passion and that
it will thereby exert mighty Influence in dfusipg sound
opinions and restoring harmony and frattrna concord
throughout the country II comes at suspicious period
Had it been pronounced-whch could hardly have been
pessiSedurng the excitement of presidential canvass
lis useful effect for the present at least would have been
lost Though les, just and constitutional than it is it
would have been temporarily overwhelmed in the surges
of party climo Now however the excitement and strife
or the late happily ata.ed The softer second
thought has returned to the people, and they well pre-
pared to receive the Judgment of the highest tribunal in
the land if it. in many instances differs from their
own favore political opinions.
The court which has settled the vexed constitutional
question as to the power of Congress Territories is
trey independent of the legislative branch of the govern
men. 1t is elevated above the schemes of party politics
and shielded alike from the effects of sudden passion and
of popular prejudice. Little motive therefore, the
cradle urs who compose that tribunal have for devia
ton from the true principles of law.
1t would be fortunate, indeed, il the opinion of that
this important subject could receive the candid
and respectful acquiescence which it merits Such
hbiton of the moral conservatism of the people would
well correspond with that sublime example of the fitness of
the people for sefgovcrnment lately witnessed in the lay
ing down and taking up of high executive trusts in the
midst of orderly enthusiasm But expect this decision
will for while be questioned and ridcued by the
antisavery press The judges who concurred in it will be
abused I'VE have of agittors all over the coun
try said Daniel Webster in his speech at Buslo in 1851
"her livelihood consists in agating their freehold their
copyhold their capital their al in ALL depend on the cx
element of the public mind" To this class which still
exists this decision will be fresh topic of sectional agita
| ton.
In 1912 the Supreme Court decided in the case CT
Prigg Pennsylvania that Congress had the constiiu
tonal power TO egsate for the return of fugitive slaves
The opinion the that occasion delivered by
Mr. Justice Story of the ablest uris of the country
Learned tribunals in various States have in that
decision The unimpassoned judgment of the people ap-
proves of it. Nevertheless when local pejudics were to be
inamed party purposes be served that decs
ion has attacked by the press and by tnerant
turers if it nothing than the harangue of
stump orator. From similar sources we may apprehend
that this decision will meet with similar treatment
We refer the judgment of the in this case in no
spirit Of triumph We would subject it to the mere
Of tba
who believed Congress had The right to exclude slavery
from the Territories but who deemed 1T nexreden to have
the right exercised They wished keep the subject out
of Congress They thought Mr. Webster did when he
favored the organization Of New Mexico without the app
cation of the Wimot proviso These may be UMPIRE
pared for this decision We know that in the nonsave
holding States there many who sincerely deprecated the
repeal of the Missouri Compromise There are many who
have brought up the faith of the wilmot proviso
They perhaps have examined both sides of the ques
tion and will feel regret at this decision deep as the
pleasure of southern friends is ardent We would
appeal to auch in spirit of oandor and patriot SIN
and without censuring them for sentiments which they
have long honestly cherished OILY invite hem TO review
their opinions and to conform their action to the adjud
cation of the highest judicial tribunal in the land
Never perhaps in the history of the country has there
South within the past year. And it is remarks that
this iterness has resulted from so much as
from transient The troubles in Kansas and some
other accidental acts contributed this Of things
But the chief of alienation was the unbrided Ii
cense of portion of the press and the incorporate lam
guage employed by many of public speakers. 1t
has been for of the abest journals of the
North to misrep and vy the institutions and the
people of the South And these attacks have been rcpro
Gated by of the radical papers of the South Orators
have resored to the practice Under such circum-
stances what else but bitterness and alienation could fol-
low What else but dstrust be excited No State or
community is perfect The North and the South have diff
ferent institutions Each State is alone responsible its
institutions and 1t is morally and consutionaly wrong
another State. Nor is it at all remarkable expect
that people who have been differently educated by social
habits by tradition by parental precep will think entire
y alike There be liberation and there must be for
bearance.
is gratifying TO that better feeling beginning
to exist between both sections of the country; and
woke the temperate and intelligent public opinion of the
country, potent for wise purposes withhold every
vestge of support from that class whose livelihood Is TO
create sectional luminosity. In this way their shafts will
fall impoent in the dust and the wounds they have be-
fore made will become healed.
KEIr