The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-03-21

prOHlDltlODS III lne \OiSlitutlops '"os
controversies never arise concerning them.
But no organic law can ever be framed
with a provision specifically applicable TO.
every question which may occur in prac-
ticable administration. No foresight can
anticipate, nor any document of reason,
able length %cnoiain express provisions for
all possible questions. Shall fueitives
from labor be surrendered by Ma ional or
BY State authority? The Constitution
does not expressly say. Must Congress
protect Slavery III the Territories! The
Constitution does not expressly say
From questions Of this class spring all eur
constitutional controversies, and We dl-
vide upon them into majorities and min
critics. If the minority will not acqui-
esce the majority must, or the Govern
ment cease. There is no alternative for
continuing the Government but acquies-
ccnce on tie o! c side or the other. II a
minority in such a case will sccede rath-
err than acquicsce, they make a precedent
which in turn will ruin and divide them,
for a minority Of their own will sccede
from them whenever a majority refuses
to be controlled by such a minority. For
instance, why may not any portion Of IA
new Coufederacv a year or two hence ar
bitrarily secede again, precisely as por-
lions of the present Union now claim TO
secedc from it?
All who cherish di~union sentiments
are now beiag educated to the exact tenn
per Of doing this. Is there such perfect
identity Of interests among the States to
compose a new Union as to produce har-
monyonly and prevent renewed secession?
Plainly, the central idea of secession is
the essence Of anarchy. A majority, held
in restraint by constitutional checks and
limitations, and always changing easily
with deliberate changes of popular opin-
ions and sentiments, is the only true sove-
reign Of Il free people. Whoever rejects
it, does, of necessity, fly to anarchy or
despotism. Unanimity is impossible.--
The rule Of a minority, as a permanent
arrangement, is wholly iuadmissible, SO
thar, rejecting the majority principle, an
archy or dcspotism in some form is all
tnot i left
l do not forget the position assumed
nv snno ,l,at Consti,nt;on.I oup.,ious
.J >, Lo doo;d.d Inv tho c,rrarna Coprt
nav ia I Inv th,, such d~ocisior must he
binding in any case upon the parties to ii
suit, as to the object Of that suit, while
III ,o.1,lra1 aa.o J.,
IN on,. # tho Coyc,nucni
a,'J Villa ;, :. nhyionJy no,,,h!e ,I,,t
.N, I.a; ,n Ia :, .,,.
.,on n.so .t;fI 10 n,iI ,Mact f,llnwIu11
:, Lo;ar Ta.;, "a -, 49,, nar,i.nl,r c.sn
.p III, H. ahnnoo ,E., :, 49, ororrnIsd
aIrIn.. g.. a,tar
oaS,s oau LD,,nr Io ,[rno ,h,n conI6 thc
o';i ~ "a a,ran, n.D.,;no A,,fn~o.,c
/ ,i,'a ~,d;d (;t;arn INNS, th.l
Iir No. ,CTc, e .Ln C-n,nrrmon, nuo, ,hn
,;,aI ana.,i.n- aTocii.r,hn wtoIe noo,.l.
;.nnmnaabrn GA -, ,Ln 1oni 49,
50 10 Snnrnmo C,rrt ny ;ns,ant thnv
arc modn IN ordirar, 'lirinatinn hrt wecn
nartieS In ncrsouaI actions. The peGple will
i,.yn coa.ro to br ,bcir avn masters hov.
~ 49,, u,,. ..o,;..ru ,o.;ano1
'L;ir oo,"r.n,ant ;ota rho hands IF rive
a]n,inont tr;hnnaI Tor i ,hcre in his
,;am ,nr as~.ur, rn.n tho Conr, ,r tho
In1ocs r. ;sa dnty frnm Which we nav
No., sL,;,t 70 dcc,lo cases nronerly
brn,oLt baforo ,hem aud i is no fouIt Of
,hc;rs if others seek TO turn their decis.
ions 70 ,@o1itical nrrnoscs One section
of nrr cd,,try hatl;oyos slavery is rioht
and or,nt - ho ov,n,dod while the 9TH
cr bnj;Gyrs i is wronp and onobt not to
he extended. TAis i, the only subs,an.
nal di.nute and the Fuoitive Slave
cl,usn If the Constitution. and the law
far the spnnrrssinn of the foreion slave.