The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-12-06

0lSnest re>reCt and WHeu ffpfloulteo IA . ~
Ieign land Il Causes the hearts OF our couLuy-
men TO swell with honest pride Surely when
We reach the brink of the yswning sbyss we shall
recoil with honor from the las, fatal plunge
By such . catastrophe the hopes OF the friends
of freedom throughout the world would be de-
stroye cd. and long night OF leAden despotism
would enshroud the nations. Our example for
more than eighty years would not only De LOST
but it would be quoted conclusive proof
that man IS unfit for self-goye.nment.
Ii Is not every wrong-nay, II Is not every
srievous wrong which Justify a resort to
such fearful alternative. This ought to be
the last desperate remedy of despairiny peo-
pie, after every other constitutional means of con-
ciiation had been exhausted We should re-
fleet that, under this fres government, there 10
an incessant ebb and fov IN public opinion
The slavery question, like every thing human,
VIII have its day. firmly believe that it has
already reached and passed the eliminating
point; but If in the midst of the existing excite
ment the Union shall perish, the evil may then
become irreparable. Congress can contribute
much 10 avert 1t, by p7oposins and rec mmend-
ing to the Legislatures of the several States the
remedy for existing evils which the Constitu-
ton has itself provided for its own preservation.
This has been tried at different critical periods
of our history, aud always with eminent sue
cess IL is to be found in the fifth article pro-
wiling for is amendment. Under this
tcle amendments have been proposed by two
th.rls of both houses of Congress, and have
been ratified by the Legislatures of three
fourths OF the several States, and have conse-
quently become parts of the Constitution; to
this pro the country is indebted for tho
clause prohibiting Congress from passing any
law respecting an e tabl shment of religion, or
abrdglng the freedom of speech or of the press
or of the right of petition. To this we are al
SO indebted for the Bill of Rights which secures
the people aga nst any abuse of power by the
Federal Government Such were the appre-
tensions justly entertained by the fr ends of
STATE II yhts at tn 1t period, TO havo rendered
1t extremely doubtful whether the Constitution
could have long survived without these amend
ments.
Again. the Constitution amended by the
same process After the election Of President
Jefferson by the House of representatives. IN
| February, 1893, this amen!m ant was rendered
neceSs lry To prevent the recurrence OF the dan
gers which hal seriously Threatened the exis-
tence OF the Government during the pendency
OF that election The article for its own amend
ment was intende to amicatle adjust
ment OF conflicting Constitutional questions
like the present, which might arise between the
Government OF the States and that of the
United States. This appears from cotempora-
neous history. Ia this connection will mere
| ly call atteution 70 few sentences in Mr..
Madison's justly celebrated report in 1893, to
the Legislature of Virginia
|
resolutions of the proceeding Legislatures-
/ These were mainly founded upon the pretext
OF the Virginia Legislature against the alien and
sedltion acts as pal pable and alarming infrac-
tions of the Constitution in pointing ont the
peaceful and constitutional remedies, and he
referred to none other to whieh the States wero
authorized to resort on such occasions. He
concludes by saying that the Legislatures of the
States might We made direct representation
to Congress, with view to obtain a.rescinding
OF the two offensive acts, or they might have
represented to their respective Senators in Con-
gress their wishes, that two-thirds thereof
would propose an explanatory amendment to
the Constitution, or two-thirds Of themselves,
II such had been their option, night by an ap-
plicltion to Congress, have obtained a conven
ton for the same object.
This Is the very course which I earnestly
recommend, In order to obtain ail explana-
tory amendment of the Constitution on the
subject of slavery. This might origin ito with
Congress or the Safe Legislatures as may be
deemed most aivsable to attain the Object
Ihe explanatory amendms mig ght be coain-
ed to the final settlement of the true construc-
ton OF the Constitution on three special points:
| First, an express recognition of the right Of
property in the States where it now exists or
may hereafter exist; second, the duty Of pro-
| tecuon IN this right in all the common Terrific
| rics throuS bout their Territorial existence and
until they shall b, admitted a. States int, the
Union, with or without slavery, their consti-
| tusions may prescribe; third, like reco cosnition
| Of the rights of the m sster to have his slave,
| who has escaped from one State to another re-
| stored and delivered up to him; and Of the val
| Idity of the Fugitive-slave Law, enacted for
this purpose, together with declara, ion that
all State laws impairing or defeating this right
are violations of the Cons s.itution, and are con-
isequently null and void.
| Il may be objected that this construction O.
| the Constitution has already been settled by the
Supreme Court of the United States Many
| still contest the correctness of this decision,
aud never will cease from agitation and admit
| IS binding force until clearly establish by the
people of the several States IN their sovereign
| character Such amendment would i. is be-
| lIeved forever terminate the existing dissen-
| slons, and restore peace and harmony among
the States. 1t ought not to be doubted that
such appeal to the arbitrament established
| By the Constitution itself would be received
with favor by all the Stats of the Confed-
| eracy.
In any event It ought to oe tried in a spirit
of Cancellation before any of these States shall
separate themselves from the Union When
entered upon the duties Of the Presidential Of
| fee the aspect neither Of our foreign or domes-
io Affairs was al all satisfactory. We were in
volved in dangerous complications with sever
al aatious, and two of our Territories were in q
state of revolution against the Government
! A restoration of the African slave trade had
numerous and powerful advocates Unlawful
military expeditions were countenanced by
| many of our citizens, and were suffered in de.
fance of the efforts of the Government. to es.
cape from our shores for the purpose of making
WAL upon an unofending people of neishbor-
Ing Republic with whom we were at peace In
addition to these and other difficulties we ex
peri-nced revolution in monetary affairs, soon
after my advent TO power, Of unexampled se-
verify and OF rulIlous consequences to all the
great interest Of tine country. When we take
retrospect of what was then our condition
and contrast this with It's material prosperity 1t
the time OF the late Presidential election, We
have abundant reason to return our grateful
thanks 70 tina. merciful Providence which has
never fo-saken Us Is . nation in all onr past
trials
rrhe case Of yor ViiiisI Biae, gov
pavfnS the penalty for passing counterfeit coin 10