Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-03-01
For the Free Press.
THE EXCELLENCE OF THE con-
STITUTION

Is receiving very significant affirmation from
the action of the seeeders. Mr.. Slidell of Louisi
ana on taking leave of the Senate read speech as
memorable as ever uttered before that body.
1t was carefully worded, and every sentence was
weighty with matured thought. 1t set forth the
ultimate aim, and the specific measures to reach
that aim of the confederating States of the South
That aim seems to be almost precisely the old
plan Of Aaron Burr revived. Mr.. SlidelPs speech,
taken with what has already been done, and is
now doing, contains five times moro treason than
Is found in all the testimony presented in the
three and half months trial of Burr, and yet he
was permitted to read its reasonable and insoleut
sentences, so full of what he seemed conscious was
''bravado" and menace" unmolested and unre-
buked, on the floor of the Senate of the United
States, and then to depart at his leisure to work
out his treason at home.
In regard to our noble Constitution Mr.. Sliiell
made some statements that are worthy of thought
full consideration by those who working with
ell their might to change it, with the hope that it
may be made acceptable to the Slave States, so
that they may be induced to remain or to return
under it. lie says f'But if we do not greatly
mistake the prevailing sentiment of the Southern
mind, no attempt triH be made to Improve the Constr
futioa. We shall take it such as it s-such as has
been found sufficient for our security and happi-
ness so long its spirit lived in the hearts Of
a majority of the people Of the Free States, and
controlled the action not only Of the Federal but
Of the State Legislatures
So also, in the Alabama Convention Jan. 25
Mr.. Yancey advocated the adoption Of the Consti-
tuition Of the United States for the Southern Con-
federacy; and Of that instrument he spoke as fol-
lows "This Constitution is we'll known to all the
Southern people. 1t is revered by them. There
has been desire TO oppose or 70 alter II. On the
contrary such policy has always met with public
disfavor The Interpretation Of that instrument
has been generally uniform at the South, ever
since the passage of the celebrated Virginia rsso-
Iutions Of l79s. That Constitution has been uni
formly held up by the South as its great shield
and buckler against Northern aggression The
Soutb coutsnted nth i no,e-,cH BE- c7ntsyf NTH
bersadr.7
AMI ether seceders have expressed nearly the same
sentiments; and what j. still more significant,
the Congress Of the new Confederation at Mont
gomery, have voted to adopt the Constitution Of
the United States without any important altera-
tions-without any Of those amendments which
compromise1s at the North are now so busy and
50 earnest to adopt. The only alteration adopted
at Montgomery, which essentially touches the
subject Of slavery is that which requires the rem
diuon q fustiyes by the executive authority Of
the States where the fugitive Is found instead Of
ty the Federal officers. And this is rather an
Interpretation Of the Cons tuition, than change
Of it. I, is well known that Mr.. Webster aud
other statesmen always considered this the proper
meaning Of that clause which provides for the
recovery Of fugitives.
We commend these facts to the consideration Of
Congress O. the Peace Convention, and to all who
would propose any amendments to the Constitu-
ton, ia the hope Of thus securing an adjustment.
That viii not do It permanently. The difficulty is
not in tie Constitution. It's, as Mr.. Sliiel! says
in " tho determined hostility Of the northern
masses TO cur Institutions Here lies the seed Of
the trouble. The northern masses are determin-
edly. oonsc.entously and relisou5iy anti-siavcry.
This deep conviction they win retain. aEd out of
it they must AMI will speak, at home, On the foor
Of Congress-anywhere ana everywhere. And this
out-spoken sentiment for freedom the South viii
not brook, and therefore the Southern Confederacv
must he formed, though i; can find 10 organic law
so good as the old one. Those who enter sIdcntly
into this work Of compromise by changing the
Constitution can eject nothing permanently, unless
they can change or suppress this anti-sIa7ery
will only bring speedy end TO their official life
and put men in their places who will faithfully
reflect the settled convictions Of the people.