Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-06-21
VOLUME LVI.-NUMBER Is.

4 bone of contention: We have never done
il; But when they raise the voice OF in.
yitation 10 the territory, and so act as to
destroy our rights, then for the first time We
said if they could in their selfish cXtrcmiSm
break down the bars of the Constitution. and
take away our privileges, we will call upon Con
gresS to intervene as it had in several cases in
other times. 1t is very strange that the deci.
sion Of the Supreme Court should bc so little
regarded and that men in blind infltuation
should jeopardise their own interests so far as
TO seek TO destroy those Of their brethren. while
great principles Of individual rights and inter
cSts depend upon maintaining the decisions o!
the Court inviolate Whenever rights are in.
vadcd You appeal 10 the Court. When that
decision is announced you bow and submit, and
If necessary, the executive officer cnforces il.
II is the means OF protecting the weak against
the strong--it is the bulkwark Of peace, of har.
lnony and security 10 the law abiding citizen.
Ne ought to be tenacious of this great court
hoi'iin;, UP and supporting the Constitutional
authority on all occasions. Who is it that dc.
MICS tue Constitutional authority: Who is
it sets at nought the decisions Of our courts =
Who is it that says the Constitution is to be
';isrcgardcd: Not the Southern people. spcal;
oi classes. OF the mass and not Of individuals
There are, doubtless, thousands, as have per
sonal knowledge, aS patriotic in the North Us
there are in the South but it So happens in
the polltlca! organization of parties that nine
tcnt'iS Of these patriotic and law-abidlng
Northern citizens act and cooperate as alone
honest men act, with the Democratic party
o.! the South. while the Black Republican is
rampant. setting at nought the objections Of
the Constitution, dciying the decisions of the
Supreme Court. passing liberty bills" in
MaSsachuScttS-lihcrty bills that openly over.
ride the Constitution Of the United States
and the law Of ConsrrSs-and Mt the same
time DISTINGUISHING naturai2ed foreigners
vino come TO our shores in search Ci free
dom, and extend the privilege Of voting To
negroes. This is m everlasting comment
upon their boastcd intclligcncc-a lcprou>
spot upon their character. These acts are in
dcitn>iblc, showing. us they do, degree OF Ia
naiicl>ln and evil intent which il becomes liz
boldly to meet and resist in constitutional
way. Physical force can never maintain this
Government, 1t i, Il Government controlled
by public sentiment. and hence the benefit Of
yonr press and Your editors, whose influence
iniiises itself into all the ramifications OF the
body social, AMI contributes to the formation
of character. Public sentiment is the great
lever that moves this Government. That pub
lie sentiment We must cultivate. Every man
vino has voice every one who can WELD III,
pen, must remember, that 10 control this Gov
ccnment. il is not 10y the reason Of the bayonct,
II is not hv the logic OF t!e sword, but ii is 10
address the judgments all of reasonable men.
Upon the subject OF sluattcr sovereignty
and Congressional interference, even if 10
other necessity should arise. we ought 10 >rcal,
To correct false opinions. We gave view oi
the Constitution so the public might reflect
upon it and compare it with the facts and. il
what la- been asserted be true and correct,
public sentiment will sustain it, Whenever
an erroneous doctrine is announced in any part
pl the Conicdcracy, let it be properly met