The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-03-26
From the New York Evening Post.
Supreme Court of the United STATE ,

| B"hiS tehdehcles OF the supreme Court TO
engross the legislative power of the federal
government, which Jefferson foresaw and
SO often warned his countrylnen against are
no longer imaginary. They are upon us.
lhe decisions rendered by that BODY yes.
'erday, IN the case Of a negro who had APP
pealed to 1t for assistance i'm ASSERTING his
right TO share tue promises of the Declara.
tion OF independence, has struck at the
very roots of the past Legislative policy of
this country in reference to slavery. 1t has
changed the very blood of the Constitution.
from which we derive our political exist
ence, and has given to our government a
direction and purpose as novel rs it is bar
barous and humiiating.
In the first place, IT has annihiated, AT
single blow, tue citizenship of the entire
colored population of the country, and with
1t all laws and constitutional provisions of
the different States for the protection Of
those rights.
In the next place, it has stripped Con.
gress CT power TO exclude slavery from
the territories, which has been exercised bv
every President of the United States from
Washington down to Fillmore; and which
mas had an effect IN shaping the political
| ana domestic institutions of more than half
The territory OF the United States. The or
d'nance oil 1887, with the passage or de
| fence OF which the names of the most emi
nent American statesmen have been imper-
ishably associated, is not only pronounced
unconstitutional, but the power to enact any
} mi
the right to buy, hold and sell slaves in our
territories is distinctly denied
Nor Is this all. The doctrine which has
been recognised wherever the common law
prevails, since the days of Lord Mansfield
! that when slave is taken by his master
INTO 'he jurisdiction Of Il State which pro.
hl6its slavery, he is from that moment free
Is not only set aside, but the power is de-
MED 10 the State Of this Union to prohibit
masters bringing slaves within their iuris
dIctlon, provided they do not enter il with
the Intention of establishing permanent
residence there
All OF these positions are now in the iu-
r'd'caI history Of the country; the law in
reference TO all Of them was settled hv -
long line of Judicial decisions by the birb.
est Tribunals Of the several States. and nm
| III within the last twelve wears was regard
ed rs much beyond the reach of con,Ioyar
! sy as The night of the people Of the United
states 10 republican form Of government.
II precedent, usage, public acquescence
could haiIow any doctrines of Constitution.
al Interpretation, then were those doctrines
| haI!owed which have been ruthlessly sub
/ rerted 10y the Supreme Court
l..
! 1t Is with feelings Of more than ordinary
soIemniiy that we record the decision for
/ ITS consequences are beyond the reach of
human calculation. We are not SO much
concerned at the invasion Of the laws and
/ constitution OF the country, both Of which
/ II accomp'lShes-t1r the American people
! We nave no doubt, will take care of their
rights IN spite Of the Supreme Court-as
we are III being forced to the melancholy
conviction that the moral authority and
consequent usefulness OF iha, tribunal nm.
Ger It's present organization, is seriously inn
paired, IT not DESTROYED.
lhe time which Is chosen for this iurdi.
cal revoluIion-jusi after the adjournmen,
( OF that department Of the government most
injured 10y the decision, and at the com,
mencemeut OF new administration. when
all the patronage of the nation can be used
TO tie best advantage in recouciling the
. people 10 us doctrines shows, when taken
IN connection with the doctrines them
selves, and The constitution OF the cour,
that majority Of It's members have con-
Sehsed TO become raitlcs 10 a combination
win tho administration 10 transfer the DO
IiIIcal control OF this government To the
hands OF the slave oligarchy, beyond the
poss. b'!ty ola recovery Ly the free States Of
Their fur share Of influence.
50 long rs the subject WAS within tn.
range oi Congressional action, SO long the
voice OF the people could be heard. and
Their wishes could impress the legislation Of
The country, To get the subject beyond
the reach OF these influences; to make every
judicial tribunal in the nation and every
lawyer sworn ally Of slavery propagan
/ diNn, 1t was only necessary 10 secure the
co operation of the Supreme Coat. and
/ 'hat has been done. \ conspiracy ha,
been eniered into OF the most reasonable
character; The justices of the Supreme Court
and The leading members Of the new al
inlnlNttaton are parties h 1t. One who
/ runs may read The evidence Of it in every
revelation from the capital.
81 course the moment this conviction
taxes possession Of the public mind, there
Is an end OF the Supreme Court; for a Judi.
cIal tribunal, which i not rooted in the
confidence Of the people, will soon either
he d'sresarIcd as au authority or over
turned
Which Of these fatcs is in store for the
court mt Washington, we do no, care now
'o speculate about-pcrhaps both: one
th'h9' however, is perfectly certain-that
It's ancient and proper authority with the
people and with Congress is gone beyond
recovery. The last objection TO tho cIec,
ton Of the Judges of tbs court by the peo.
pie Is now removed It's members have
long borne but an indifferent reputation for
l i Il.