The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-09-03
The Position Of the Republican
Party i'm Relation to the 'sDred

SCOUT DeclSlCm.
The Republicans have invariably denounced
the ''Dred Scott" decision. BY their journals
and orators, and by the resolutions of its State
and County conventions, they have declared
that they do not respect it, and that they will
resist TO the last, in the proper ant legitimate
manner, any attempt of the Slavery prono-
gandists, to write among the laws of the land
such doctrines as are therein contained.
On account Of the sentiment, which is deep
Iy and ineradicably fixed in their breasts, the
Republicans have been denounced by the sham
Democrats are reyolutionists, ami violators OF
the laws of the land. Let us see whether they
are deserving of a charge Of such grave and
serious import.
AS an example Of the position assumed BY.
tire Republican party, we quote resolution
passed by the recent State Convention at
Iowa City:
Res0lued, That the recent opinion OF the
Supreme Court of the u. 5. in the Drcd Scott
case, is the last and most alarming of those
bold innovations upon the rights of the Free
States, which have marked the Administration
of the Government for wears past, as sectional
and disloyal to the spirit of our Free Insti-
tations. We regard il as virtually revolution
izing the judicial action of the Government,
ii tolerated; by giving to Slavery National
instead of Local Character; opening Free
States aud Free Territory for its diffusion; re-
ducing to the condition of chattels, those who
are recognized By the Constitution as men; be-
lying the sentiments of the Declaration of In
dependence, and casting reproach upon the
action Of those who, amid toll and peril, laid
deepth foundation Of the Union.
This resolution very well expresses the po-
sition which the party occupies. Here then
is the sum Of our offense. For freely express
ing our opinions Of law OF the United States,
even admitting the .decision" to be such, We
are denounced as traitors and revoIutionists
An expression of opinion is all the resolution
contains. 1t says nothing about resistance
10 the decision of the Supreme Court Repub-
licans propose no forcible resistance. They
declare that they will no: respect the .sdecis-
ion," nor endorse the doctrines if contains,
and that instead of suspending their own
judgement, and implicitly acknowledging the
wisdom and uprightness of an opinion because
It happens 10 have been delivered by u Judge,
tncy Will CAcbCiso tuo WavucSc NJ expressing
their firm conviction that the doc trines of that
opinion are detestabic and inhunan and that
Chief Justice fancy and his associates are un-
just Judges. The exercise of this freedom
the sham Democrats tell US is is treason and
revelation. To resist with force and arms
any law Of the land, we admit would be revo
luton, but to disrespect law, to deny its JUS
flee, to call it inhIlaan, and to protest against
It, is the undoubtea right OF any people who
are not the subjects Of absoiutism. Most GER
tainiy il is the right OF Americans. and its ex-
crcise is entirely consistent with good order
and regularity.
Whoever seeks to tske away this right is
himself traitor to fundamental principle
of our liberty, to-wit, that all the laws Of the
Land shall be open to the free investigation of
the people. This point is so clear that 40 SEN
sihle man who knows anything about our in
stitutions viii dsay it, and it any power should
take away this right, our boosted independence
would he nothing bat boast, aud we would
not possess half SO much Freedom as the sub
iccts of Victoria or Napoleon.
r Well then, are Republicans g'nliy Of any