Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-01-15


While il il conceded that more general
power can be exercised than has been ex-
prcssly delegated. experience proves that tho
most important results depend upon the in-
tcrprctaiion of this power, and that out OF
this Interpretation have sprung diverse poli-
eics, giving rise 10, and keeping alive. po-
/ liticai parties IN the several States and ma
/ ton.
IL in this manner. also. that constitn-
tionaI governments, 10y false Interpretation,
become distorted. perverted, and at length
ruyoluiionIcd, the constitution itseiI re-
naming unchanged.
The nation has entered upon an epoch OF
such Interpretation Of its constitution and
theory OF government, Its immediate eject
| is seen in the dissolution aud reconstruction
Of political parties, while the remote conse-
ouencr. are shalowci forth IN the new gov.
eminent policy. new sentiments and opinions
which arr lnculcatcd upon the subject OF ne
| gro slavery.
At the period Of the formation OF the gov
ernmen, the character Of negro slavery and
the traffic In slaves had been accurately 80
umatcd and determined by the civilized na'
tions Of the earth, in regard to which there
was no difference Of sentiment, or opinion
among the mass Of the people of this conn
try. It's statesmen, philosophers and philan'
Y thrupisis
\ 4, Was held to exist in derosaton of the
natural rights Of the slayc-thai 1t was an
unml,igatcd ovil-,hat it WIS the duty aud
interest OF the nation TO discountenancc aud
inh,bit the traffic, and TO restrict slavery TO
the locali,ie. whcrr it existed by force OF the
local law. The colonies had denounced the
mother country for the participation In It's
refusal o. cooperate with them Tor It's abb.
lition. At the period OF the revolution and
during the confederation OF the States, The
dctes,ation in which slavery was held by the
peiple Is expressed in their literature, laws,
Iurisprudsucc, and resolutions ut their Leg
i.laturcs aud primary assemblies, aud the
acts oi tie Congress. When the constitu-
ton was formed. rs nation, the American
people had adopted and published to the
world, ~ the fundamental principles OF that
. liberty they sought Ia establish through the
forms Of government, political maIim'
wholly opposed toall forms " slavery. They
had procliimcd their hostility 10 the slave
trade and slavery itsclf-thcy had provided
against IT, spread into any portion OF the
territories. aui con,cmp lated u final ,xiinc'
ton. The nation began is career by the
recognition Of the inalicnable rights OF man
A. s,ll evident political truths, Us forming
the basis Of all just governments. aud as
containing thc principles OF political NOR
atty and immuhble rcciiiudc.
Il The constitution OF tho United States was
based upon aud recognized the same primer.
pies ana theory Of government which bad
been before asserted, and the constitution
and the declaration OF independence are parts
OF one consistent vholc-and that work was
c1nsummatcd hy tho lJrmor which had been
bcgan by the latter.
Tho government. under the constitution,
was conducted UPON these principles and the
sentiments and policy therefore existing.
It'll prryailci-slaycry Ia the territories
was prohibited - tho slave trade was de-
nounccd a. piracy ard intofdicicd, and the
Congress. in repeated instances, ini"rposcd
to prevent the extension OF slavery into Tree
territory.
Tho judiciary OF the country, both FEEDER
al and State, was in harmony with the leg
i.latlOn aud policy oi the nation, ana uni
flrmly held that slavery was against nation
al Tirht, aud existed only by force OF posit-
hclaw. was necessarily local m it, character
and that thcmasicr los, all right OF control
over, or interest in the slave, when once
voluntarily carried beyond tho local Juris'
dlction.
By force Of the sentiments and opinions,
acting upon the public judgmen, and con-
scicncc. slavery rrccded lrum seven OF the
thirteen original State, and struggled for
prccarious existence IN u portion OF the re-
naming States. \ new government policy
+ now demanded, founded uTon new inter
pretations Of the constitution IN regard T.
negro slavery. Ths ratcrnal policy Of The
nation l. denounced as unjust and illlberal
unconstitutional and illegal.
The craftsmanship OF the early days ol
the republic took cOgnishncc OF the Tact thai
two races Of men were here, the subjects o
government and ciyiliIation-that one wa'
the dominant race. whose was the duty o
governing aud guiding and At did not hes,
tate to declare those principles Of personal
freedom which are equally the rights OF all
and sought wisely 10 guide the destinies OIL
both in the light Of th,sc principles.
The craftsmanship Of to-day ignores ihes'
scll.eyident trulhs-sc,s the two races con-
front each other upon the same soil, bat
hold. that one has no rights that tho Other
i, bound 10 respect - asserts u principle
which give. him no right TO govern but Tho
accident Of present power, and thus seeks Il
bind up the destinics OF both with the deg
relation ct the black race.
TIE difference in the two systems Is radi'
cal and infinite. The latter, Il Is needless
10 say, is rcpuguant 10 our theory OF gov
eminent. Ii is too absurd Tor argument
aud too oil nsiyc for discussion.
The irsl systematic attempt 20 reduce The
new dogma 10 practice, through the admin
is,ration Of the government and federal leg
lslauon, was made in the repeal u the Mis-
souri, restriction.
The object Of this repeal is now declared
by one OF it, supporters 70 have been - iC
put the slavery question upon some common
ground where party could be rallied sirong
enough 10 administer the government justly
upon other than purely sectional idcas--tc
remove the ban under which the domestic
institutions Of the South had been placed by
federal legislation and although moi
all the South was entitled to, il was u great
advance upon the old order Of things, be
cause IL removed an unjust and odious dis
elimination agains, her domestic institution
from the statute book, u moral triumph
which was Of vast importance TO the Souil
and 80 the institution OF slavery itself.
The object and import Of that measure
thus declared, have, by subsequent events
become obvious 10 all. IL was the begin
ming OF attempts to rcvolu,ionile the fedora