The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1857-03-19
The Decision of the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court in the bred Scott case The
synopsis given by telegraph contains the most
important features Of them, but it may De Wen
enough 10 refer to that given by the Chief Justice
again and again from the important effect It Is to
have upon the country. being, in or humble oPin-
ion. vastly more important than all other acts oil
the legislative, Judicial and executive departments
of the Government combined.
As we understand it, it DEGREES that negroes, or
persons with the slightest degree of African
blood in their veins whe' her free or slaves are
not and can not be citizens of the United States,
under the Constitution that the Ordnance OF
81 vas set aside by the adoption of the Co1stItu-
ton that the Missouri Compromise Is unc1asti-
tutional that shareholders have the right 10 take
their slaves property, into any OF the Terri
tories that a slave does not become rec oy nav
ing been taken By his owner 20 a Tree state Tor
temporary purposes, and that Congress ms &c
richt to legislate upon the subject of Slavery in
the Territories, nor confer the right npoH the
legislatures Of the Territories
If negroes are not citizens Of the United States,
the consequences are, that all the existing constl-
tutions and laws ofshe Free States, which elevate
the negro to the rights Of citizen are unconsti
tutienal The right of the negro in the State of
New York to vote is to be annulledl the right
to hold property anywhere, is nxl and void. In
short they have no mere protection under the
Constitution THAI have horses any other pro-
perty; that they are net men, and morally have
no souls It would perhaps, be well # the mem
bers cf the Supreme Court were as happily stu
ated as they make eat the negro to be.
This decision strikes down the platform ef the
great anti Slavery and Republican party OF the
Free States. VIII the people be governed by it
1t startles the timd to think Of disobeying the
decisions of the highest tribunal under the GOV
eminent but if this decision is to be the acknow-
lodged Interpretation Of the Constitution, will
never take another oath to support it. If pub
lie officer is to be held responsible to act in
cordance with that decision, carrying the insttu-
ton Of Slavery to every part OF the country INTO
all the Territories and the Free States, alb
solve ourselves from all allegiance to 1t. and will
labor to reform it, by so altering its provisions
declaring that Slavery shall never exist under it
We would not do injustice to the South. While
they were content to maintain their peculiar in
stiiuton" as q State institution, we We're
content that they should enjoy the blessing, or
the curse !; but when they seek to extend it, by
the tflUubal 81 up enc po"tit VIC oCSiatS opSi
and unreenting against it, in whatever quar-
ter it may be held. We say this only under the
decision If the Interpretation given to the Con
stitution by the fathers of the Republic--Wa ash
ngton, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, the Adamses,
Jacks N, and all of their successors to the pres
ent day, including Pie &C him5elf-if those who
made the Constitution are allowed to interpret it
for u.s. we shall cheerfully abide its provisions,
and maintain it 4. every hazard. BY their deci-
sion the Constitution simply acknowledged Slav-
cry a State institution, requiring the surrender
Of persons held to service" 1t does not ac-
knowledge Slavery to exist under its proris ons
anywhere The American people will maintain
the faith OF their fathers, and political and sec
tonal Court cannot induce them to set aside the
sentiments of those who imbued with pure and
holy love of freedom, framed that instrument
Dark clouds have heretofore hung and
threatened our free nstitp tons-the dissolu ion
Of the Union has seemed to be upon US and an
archy and destruction have at times seemed to be
impending us in fearful force. In all these
times we have looked ahead in confidence tina,
the intelligence and patriotism of the people
would ultimately prevail and that Govern
ment based upon the s. divine right OF the people
I to govern themselves" would be acknowledged
rs the true theory and practice of government
for all time to come We hoped that the per
petuation OF our Government would have proven
this. But if the union of these States has to b'
maintained by spreading Slavery all over them
we say let the Union go forever-et the Consti
tuition be amended and Government re-estab
bhshed upon the broad basis of freedom for which
our fathers pledged their lives, their fortune
and their sacred honor and TO maintain whcl
they sacrificed life and fortune, but preserved thei
honor, and won imperishable fame.
VIII the decision of the Court be observed
We do not believe it. The Court is but a crea
ture in the hands of the people. 1t is, at present
constituted of majority of Southern men. an'
the interests of the Slave power have made it so
but in time this decision. OF which We Lave bee
. speaking will be reversed 4 fair representation
of the different sections OF the Uuion. and til
wellknown will of large majority of tie people
will bring back the decision TO what i, has bee
, ever since the organization Of the Gavernrent-
acknowledging Freedom TO be national an
Slavery sectional" For the time being, il mus
f be tolerated; but it opens up the whole questio
of Slavery, and the peopls should seek by ever
measls in their power, to reform it.
CAIIFoRS1A-The California Legislature ha
impeached pr. Bates, the State Treasurer. an
George w. Whitman formerly a citizen 81
we'll known to the people of Wayre county
Comptroller, for their misappcation of the Sta;
: funds TO the amount of $3.50 600, for the "a,
ment Of the interest on the State debt. We hop
there is nothing Intentionally wrong in the charg
against Mr.. Whitman,
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