Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1860-12-13

or the right of petition, To this we are al
so indebted for the bill of rights which Sc
cured the people against any abuse Of pow
er by the Federal Government. Such
were the apprehensions justly entertained
by the friends Of State rights at that pc
riod as to have rendered it extremely
doubtful whether the Constitution could
have survived without these amendments.
Again the Constitution was amended by
the same process, after the election of Pres
ident Jefferson by the House Of Represen-
tatives, in February 1903. This amend
ment was rendered necessary TO prevent
recurrence Of i.e dangers which had Sc
riously Threatened the existence of the Gov
eminent during the pendancy of that cleo
ton. The article Tor its own amendment
was intended to secure the amicable ad-
justmsnt of the Conflicting Constitutional
questions like the present, which might a.
rise betweens the Governments Of the States
and of the United States. This appears
frem contemparaneous history.
/ In the connection, shall merely call
attention TO few instances in Mr.. Madi
sons justly celebrated report, in l779. TO
1.-THE Legislature of Virginia. In this he
ably and conclusively defended the resou-
lions of the proceeding Legislature against
the ALLEN and edition acts as palpable, and
alarming iniractions on the Constitution
In pointing out The peaceful and constitu-
, tional remedies-and he referred TO none
, other-to which the States were authorized
to resort on such occasions, he concludes
by Saying that the Legislatures of the
States might have made direct represen.
taiion to Congress with a view to obtain
, a resembling of the two offensive acts, or
|, they might have represented TO their re-
, spective Senator'S in Congress their wish
that two thirds of themselves, if such had
been their opinion, might, by an application
to Congress, have obtained Convention for
the very same object.
4 This Is the very course which recon-
mend in order 10 obtain an explanatory a.
mendment of the Constitution on the SUBJ
ject of slavery. This might originate with
Congress of the State Legislatures, as may
be deemed most advisable TO attain the OBJ
!. ject. The explanatory amendment might
be confined to the final settlement of the
true construction of the Constitution on
, three special points: First an express rec.
ignition of the right Of property in slaves
in the States where II now exist. Second,
the duty Of protecting this right in all the
common Territories throughout their ter
riiorIal existence, and until they shall be
admitted as States into the Union, with or
without slavery, as their Constitutions may
prescribe.
Third, a like recognition Of the right Of
the master to his slave, who has escaped
from one State 10 another, 10 be restored,
and delivered up to HIM; and the validity
Of the fugitive slave law, enacted for this
purpose, together with declaration that
all State Laws imparing or decreasing this
right, are violations of the Constitution, and
consequently null. -.-.-
1t may be objected, that this construction
Of the Constitution has already been settled
! by the Supreme Court of the United
States, and what more ought TO lie rsquir-
ed? The answer IS, that very large pro-
portion Of The people OF the United States
still controvert the correctness Of this de-
cision, and never will cease from agitation |
and admit its binding force until establish |
ed by the people Of the several States in
their sovereign character. Such an expla- |
nation would, il is believed, forever termi- /
nate the existing discussions, ard restore
peace and harmony among the States. II
ought not to be doubted that such an ap-
peal TO the arbitrament established by the |
Constitution itself, would be received with |
! favor by all the States Of the Confederaoy. |
In any event it ought TO be tried in spir-
| ii OF Cancellation, before any of these States
shall separate themselves from the Union. |
When entered upon duties Of the Pres |
idential Office, the aspect of neither of our
foreign nor domestic affairs was OF all
satisfactory. We were involved in dan
gerous complications with several nations,
and two of our Territories were in q state
of revolution against cur government; re-
storation Of the African slave trade and nu-
merous and powerful advocates, unlawful
military expeditions were countenanced by
many Of our citizens and were suffered, IN
defiance Of the efforts of our Government,
to escape from our shores for The purpose
OF making war upon the inoffending people
Of neighboriDg Republics, with whom we
were at peace.
In addition to these and other difficulties
we experienced revulsion in monetary af-
fairs, soon after my advent, proving Of IN.
exampled severity and of ruinous conse-
quences TO the country. When we take
re-prospect Of what was then our condition,
and contrast this with its material prosper
ity at the time of the late Presidential cleo
ton, we have abundant reason TO return
cur grateful thanks to that merciful Provi-
deDce, which has never forsaken US, as
nation, in all eur trials.