The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-08-14
Observation-Disclosures AGAINST THE coNsTI
TUITION.

e;nca the final refusal of the democrats who were
drawn into the support of Fremont last year to go
with the black republicans in all their schemes in
the several staes which for years they had stead
ilv and efectally resisted the latter have been in
search of the means of securing the hdey OF those
who had quietly rebuked them for their want OF man
ly franness in their opposition TO the constitution
because il recognises slavery wherever permitted
by the States. Through the agency OF black-repuo-
hcanism this more rank-spoken portion oil the party
has beoome too large to be trihed with. Its real
head Gerrit Smith, is plain, straightforward
abolitonist 1t became essential to secure the
active efforts of the thousands whom he controls,
which could only be done by openly espousing the
views and principles which have guided his action
Hence Gov Stewards papers, the Albany Evening
Journal, New York Tribune, and Others, have come
out in professions doubtless satisfactory to Mr..
Smith and the party which follows him, Mr. Smith,
in speech, laid down the following as the basis OF
the action of himself and friends:
q. Having now said what did not will proceed to
say for what did here. 1t for only one thing
and that Is besech you oo iaao for drey, and 10
ruage under foot uhateuer claims 10 Dc lane for sdoery
Possibly however there persons in this assembly VINO
would stop TIE very threshold of my argument by
telling me that the constitution is for slavery But what
if il What it, from beginning to end 1T Is all for
slavery? That does not make slavery law that does
not make the constitution law for slavery That bM
proues that The constitution itself no lane. The first thing in
regard to any statute constitution decree is not to
determine by of it what other things are or are
not law but whether Itself or is not tdw Preliminary to
anplynr the ward stick the measurement of the cloth
is the inquiry whether it Observation-Disclosures it is
true measure2
The constitution cannot be lar for sarcry cannot BE-
If for no other than that, far as may DC for Slavery
a. ;sp Inst far is poH
This is simply the ''higher law" of Gov. Seward
openly and frankly proclaimed. 1t is the sincere
preston of one who denies the validity and binding
obligation of the constitution instead of the nsdous
assault of one who wishes to accomplish the same
purpose without making manly avowal OF his pur-
poses That Mr. Smiths denial of the obligations
of the constitution is in perfect harmony with the
views of the blackrepubcan party, we extract from
the Albany Evening Journal the following authorl-
tative avowal
Besides zoe should oe 70 me recognition Of The idea that
there any property aaues 1t is not good policy to
bride people to give up what was never justly theirs
Nevertheless let the convention be held and the subject
discussed
It cannot now be doubted that the blackrepubli-
can party are the real and are becoming the avow-
ed, enemies of our national constitution, and that
nothing short of destroying all respect for its pro-
visions and authority will satisfy those engaged in
crusade against it. Can any one with democratic
blood in his veins countenance these than
mad schemes VIII one such, not bought over to
the enemies of the Unon follow and aid in treason to
and the downfall of the constitution, the invaluable
legacy Of our forefathers +? Is there patriot, a
friend of the Union and democratic institutions,
who is so lost to sense and duty not sterny to
bule this open denunciaton of our constitution? We
last year warned countrymen that black republic
canism would end in effort to destroy the consti-
tuition and institutions reared under it's protection.
Many Of the Fremont party disavowed any such in
tention. But it is now openly declared and by the
highest authorityin that party We hope the entire
public press viii speak out boldly, and let the people
know whether they for the Union and constitution
or for treason to both.