Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-29

A PoLIrIcAL DIsCUssloN-Mr S. S. Eos
ter, who has been counted among the most
radical and vehement of the Garrisonian>abo-
litionists, has lately undergone a change of
views in regard to the federal constitution.
He differs from Mr.. Garrison, and proposes to
organize new political party, which shall
seek control of the general government in or
der to use it for the abolition of slavery in the
slave states. His views are expressed in the
following resolves which were discussed at the
City Hall, Tuesday night, and will be discuss
ed again, at an adjourned meeting, on Tuesday
night, next week:
Resolved, That the popular doctrine that the
courts the proper interpreters of the constitution
is political heresy which is alike degrading to the
common people, and dangerous to their liberties
Resolved, That, viewed in the light of our demo-
cratic theory of government the prevalent idea that
the constitution is compact or covenant between
the individual citizen and the community, is hence
morally binding on both the contracting parties, is
unphilosophical, fallacious and absurd On the
contrary, the constitution can only be properly
regarded as bill ofinstructions from the sovereign
people to their agents, the officers ill authority for
the government of their official conduct, and the
power which. acting by majorities at first gave
these instructions, may at any time and in its own
chosen way, alter, amend or cancel them, as the
Resolved, That history abundunty proves that
this principle of constitutional Interpretation has
been found to be practical necessity of politi
cal system II was recognized by the people of this
commonwealth In their adoption of the United
States Constitutions il has been practically adopted
by every successive administration Of the federal
government since its first organization; and it is
now virtually endorsed by the Republican party in
its resistance to the bred Scott decision.
Resolved That it is both the right and the duty of
the people OF the United States TO put such con-
struction upon the United States Constitution, as
will empower the federal government to abolish
slavery in the slave states.
1t is our opinion that Mr.. Foster will not
find many persons prepared to accept these
views. His principle of interpretation is
simply the method of revolution, and there
fore is not adapted for use by anybody but
federal constitution is merely Compact be-
tween the individual citizen and the communi-
ty, is, to say the least, very novel one. Il
has always been understood that the federal
1t was made "by the states in convention as
sembled." 1t was not to become operative
until formally accepted by ''nine states" and
then, it was to operate only in the states
by which it should be thus ratified. And,
to amend it, there is necessary, not two
thirds of the people, but two,thirds Of the
states. In adopting amendments to that in
strument, the vote of Delaware is as potent as
that of New York, because this republic is not
consolidated democracy, but confederation
of separate and independent states. This is a
fsct which is nowise likely to give place to
any mans theory or fancy.