Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-07-15
c. j. GLEASON, }
4. y. s s"9 IN. {ssoretarie'-
MIR. GEO. SUMMERS CRATIC,

The oraticn delivered in Boston on the
Fourth by Mr.. Geo. Sumner. a brother Of
Hon. Charles Sumner, has attr Icted unusual
attention. 1t has of course been bitterly at
tackled by the conservative" Of whom Mr..
Sumner spoke in his Grafton, as men who
conserve nothing, but concede everything to
Barbarism. These gentlemen have thought
it all right for the orators of the day in for
mer years to ''save the Union" in their
speeches with attacks on the Republican par
ty and its leading men; but cannot endure
it that for once Fourth of July orator, in
the cradle of Liberty, shall venture to ques-
ton the righteousness of the bred Scott de-
cision, or refuse to accept as binding the ex-
ira judicial opinions of Mr.. fancy. In
touching upon the events of the day, Mr..
Sumner said nothing of slavery, and in al
luding to the separation of the powers of the
government, he enforced the principles laid
down by Hamilton and by Story and Curtis
When the propriety of his Grafton was ques-
toned by Southern gentleman at the din
ner' Mr. Sumner in reply, contented himself
with referring the Director to these and to
Edward Livingston of Louisiana. and With
congratulating him that he stood where az
cry man had a right to speak his sentiments
and to be heard with respect
All agree that the Grafton was produc-
ton of marked ability and originality, and
every way worthy of the orators name. We
copy its concluding portion
In no country has the Judiciary been more con-
stantly respected than in our own. Ttbes dcserv.
ed respect, for il has respected itself The decis
ions of Marshall, of Story, and Of Curtis have been
respected as law, in the courts of other corn,r;os
The severe criticisms Of Jefferson uoon the Su.
preme Court of the United States, have not gener-
ally been concurred in by the INTELLIGENT MID of
the country He charged it with arrogance and
with having both the power and the will % over-
turn the constitutional liberties Of the country.
Upon no point was the great father Of American
Democracy more earnest, than upon His. ord NO
opinion Of his brought more severe attacks from
his political opponents
Hamilton in earlier days and later tho ,.o,..d
Justice story, insisted on the other hand ,bo, -
would he difficult and almost impossible fo- +he
supreme Court to 60 astray-that the cases unon
which 1t could lawfully act were strictly limited
and story declared that should it ever eroeed its
powers or make wrong decision, the enlightened
pubic opinion of the country, closely yyatchinr
it, would recall it to a sense of duty.
The DRIED SCOTT DECISION.
A recent scene in the Supreme Court of tho Init
ed States has shown that Jefferson was no false
prophet, and has furnished at the same time a So
rious warning to all who prefer a government
based upon law, to either despotism or anarchy.
The case of bred Scott was the occasion taken
by certain judges Of the Supreme Court. 10 sneak
from the bench on matters not legally before
them-on matters which they had no right in their
ludicial capacity to discourse upon-wbicb as
J4dge' they could not touch without encroaching
on the functions of the Legislature-nor as indi
U,dIais without prostituting the dignity of their
once; converting the Temple of Justice into an
other Tammany Hall, and the Supreme Bench in |
to Caucus platform. And one of these harangues.