Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-13

be N advanced OF promoted by the change. W,
are confident that the present experiment of {
Republican administration wiz convince the PEG
PIE of Indiana that the public interests will not
be advanced OF subserved thereby.
Mr. Lincoln ON Judiciary Decisions.
If, by the mere force OF numbers, a majority
should deprive minority of any clearly written
constitutional right it might in a moral point OF
view, justify revolution certainly would, if such
right were vital one. But such is not our case
Afthe vital rights of minorities and of indvid-
uais so plainly assured to them by affirma-
tons and negations, guarantees and prohibitions
Ia the Constitution, that controversies arise
concerning them. But no organic law can ever
be framed with provision specially applicable to
every question which may occur in practical ad-
m nistration- No foresight can anticipate nor
any document of reasonable length contain ex-
PRESS provisions for all possible questions Shall
fu stives from labor be surrendered by national
or BY State authority? The Constitution dues
not expressly saw Must Congress protect slave
~ in the Territories ? The Constitution does
not expressly SAY. From questions of this class
spring all our constitutional controversies, and
we divide upon them into maiOrities and minori-
ties. If the minorities will not acquiesce, the
majorities must or the Government must cease
There is no alternative for continuing the Gov
eminent but acquiescence the side or the
other = i do not forget the
positions assumed by some that constitutional
questions to be decided by the Supreme Court,
nor do | deny that such decision must be bind
in in any case upon the parties to a suit as TO
the object of that suit, while they are also enti-
tied to very high respect and consideration in all
parallel Cases by all other departments of the
Government; and while it is obviously possible
thlt such decision NAV be erroneous in any given
case, still the evil effect following it. being linn
ite1 to that particular case with the chance that
il may be oveFTuled, and never become prece-
dent for other cases, can better be borne than
could the evils of a different practice. At the
same time, the candid CITIZEN must confess that
If The policy of the Cover Iment upon the vital
gu sstions aife ting the hole aeHPle is to be ire
yosably hxei By The .e-isiJis % the Supreme
Court, the instant they are made in ordinary lit-
"a ion between parties in personal actions, the
people will have ceased to be their own rulers,
having to that extent practically resigned their
government into the hands of that eminent tri-
bulai--President LincOia's Inaugural
L follows from all this, says the New York
Journal Of COulmeree, that the minority have no
protection in the Constitution against the tyranny
of The majority, inasmuch as the latter can inter-
pref the Constitution for themselves and their in
depreciation is final and conclusive. They are
jud ge. Jury and executioner. If any one wishes
TO know how easily the plainest declarations of
the Constitution can be made TO conform To the
riews and prejudices of the interpreter let him
ex mine one of the standard publications of the
Ant-Slavery Society, entitled 1.-The Constitution
Of the United States,'' with Notes by William
Geodell. Mr.. Goodell Is man of resnectahle
ia ents, aud we suppose means to be honest. But
his comments make the Constitution very DIFF
re eut thing from what II was intended tn he bv
its franes: and as the commentary is so highly
xalue5 bv tho Ant; .sI,vsrx soe;e,v !, !. f,;r 90
pr..ume that Congress- of Abo,it;on;sts would IN.
te-nret the Constitution :, the sama w,v
C. nersss of anv otb. as.cr;n,o, Of ,,l.r.;s,. -
fanatics MIGHT ;nt.rnre, :, IN Soma Other nov
eo,allv contrarv "a ia fair intent and ,,a.n;r,
and destructive To the rights and interests or The
m noritv
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