Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-03-10

W NV ouNyVON W lnUb0 FhO nuVb Clulil'
ed for the Constitution on anti-slavery in,srpreta.
ton. l have never believed myself necessarily
required to decide upon the anti slavery character
of the Constitution any more than upon the anti.
slavery character Of the Bible.
My concern rs an auti-slavery lecturer was with
the interpretations tchich men and parties asking
our support put upon the:e documents, not With
the documents themselves; and it was not till
became convinced that the Constitution, If anti
slavery could be used rs a powerful weapon in The
hands Of abotitionists, that ] fel, any inclination
to give up any time to its study.
With such views OF the duties Of my Office | kept
busily at work renovating public sentiment, hop
ing that in time, q party would arise whose in.
depreciation of the Constitution I could pro-
nounce anti.slavery. Such q party, however, |
regret to say has yet to make its appearance in
our political horizon. Gerrit Smiths party to
which you refer, has a theory of the Constitution
which it calls anti-slavery, but it is merely theoret
icat, and of no practical value whatever, as is ap-
parent from the fact that the action Of Mr.. Smith,
it's chief expounder, while q member of Congress-,
differed in no essential particular, from that Of the
most anti-slavery of the Republican members.
You think my reference to the opinions Of 'some
Of the ablest lawyers in the city of Worcester, very
unlike the Stephen S. Foster you used to know"
| was not aware that my egosism had ever gone
quite to the extent of repudiating all respect for
the opinions of others, especially those of men of
distinguished ability, on questions where their
judgment was unexposed to the bias Of self-inter.
est; but if such has actually been the case, instead
Of ~imputing the change AS a fault, you ought rath-
er TO congratulate me in view of such hopeful in
dications of returning modesty and good sense.
To your suggestion of a wish to call my atten-
ton to that clause of the Constitution which
makes the supreme Court the ultimate expoun-
der OF the Intent and meaning of the instrument"
/ reply I cun find no such clause in the Consti-
tuition. once thought as you do, that is contained
such a clause.-and this has been one Of the main
difficulties in my way, of placing an. anti-slave-
ry construction upon it-but upon a careful study
ofthe instrument in the light of our political theo-
ries, and of our past ~history,I am very certain it is
not there and never was intended to be. The people
and not thoCourts are its Legitimate and only author
i%tGtive, Interpreters, the duty of the Courts being me-
rely to settle the controversies which come before
them in accordance with therule pointed out from
time to time, by the popularwill. By the creed Of
the country, by the theory Of the Constitution, by
the history of every successive administration, the
popular will is declared to be supreme in all mat.
ters pertaining to government. The Judiciary as
well as the Executive and the Legislature, are
the mere agents and servants of the people. 1t is
not for them to dictate law to their employers, bat
to receive the word of command at their lips, and
faithfully execute their will. 1t is the manifest
|doIv ng tho Snprarna Nnnrf auan to .k oa;An H.
plain letter Of the Constitution, whenever directed
to do it by a clear expression of the popular will
and this duty has been recognized by that body in
more than q single instance.
You will pardon me in saying l do not see The
propriety Of your statement that l 'have been Ia
boring for years, with the most entire success to
form a Disunion political party" that sin this
measure" 1 have utterly failed. Might l not with
even more show Of truth, reply you have been
laboring for years with the most entire uDsuccess
for the dissolution of the Union Fin this meas.
rre" you have utterly failed Let us wait, my
friend. and we shall see whose movement proves
a failure in the end.
Perhaps we shall see the Union dissolved in
time, but 1 hazard the prediction that it will
not happen so soon by some years as the organiza.
ton of a political party, respectable in numbers
and powerful in its moral influence, whose avowed
aim and purpose will he the administration Of the
government upon the principles of impartial lib
erty to all. Neither OF US at present has cause to
be elated with hs success, but if your courage
does not f%alter, I think l ought to take hearts; for it
converts to my views are like CANCELS visits" the
number of believers in yours, / mean your mon
voting theory" is, ! regret to say, not unlike the
morning shadows which the advancing hours serve
only to diminish. But as you do not estimate tho
value of your OWE labors in the cause, BY the num-
Der of those who are induced to accept your pecu.
liar method, neither should you decide upon tho
quality of mine by this rule. 1t is at least posi-
BILE that by teaching people to make a consistent
application Of their own political principles to the
administration of the government, l have done as
much to elevate the general tone of public senti-
ment on the slavery question, as l could have done
by teaching them to abstain from political action
altogether. My method has, at least the merit of
consistency to recommend it. But il was not my
purpose in writing this communication to defend
my views, either of the Constitution, or OF the ne
cessity Of an anti slavery political party, but mere.
y to correct what I supposed to be a misapprehen-
N' 'N6~'N w any Poos OOuioo' IA bUuiO luluT6
time, however, / may have something to say on
both these subjects, unless you should think it a
misuse Of your columns. l will only add that, up
on one important point, I an happy to find,
there is between us an entire coincidence of op;n-
ion. / refer to the necessity of preserving an at
titude of Incorporating opposition to the Repub-
lican party placing it where it places itself, among
the most formidable allies of tho slave power
Already, by our vascillating course towards it.
has that party eaten, like rust, into the very heart
Of our movement. Itis in part to prevent a fratsr-
~niEatiOu with such an organization, that ! have
urged the necessity Of a genuine anti-slavery poll.
teal party.
As ever. your friend and GO worker,
S. s. FOSTER.