The hydraulic press., 1861-01-12
should the Constitution be Amended.

Should the Constitution be Amended
Thomas Jefferson says, in the Declaration of
Independence: prudence, indeed, will dictate,
that Governments long established, should not
be changed for Eight and transient causes" with
which sentiment we entirely agree. The Con-
stitution of the United States has been in active
operation for period of upwards of seventy
three years, and the United States of the Amer
ican Confederacy have prospered under its benef
cent provisions. Every test by which it was tried
only strengthed the public belief that it fulfilled
all the purposes for which It was designed that it
was sufficiently comprehensive in its details, and
possessed all the vitality necessary to be sef-en-
forcing, under any and every exigency which
might arise.
Modern Interpretation has proved this belief
to have been mistake. So long as there was
voluntary obedience to its mandates, its defects
were not apparent. But when the commenta-
tors insisted that it was capable of several differ
ent constructions; with power to declare, and
net to enforce; that hallowed prestige which en-
circcd it with zone, lost its attractive beau
ty. 1t became Ike ether parchment charters,
subject for discussion and amendment.
We hare very little veneration for antiquities
merely as such. There are few inventions of hu-
man genius which may net be beimproved upon
The Constitution of the United States, although
the workmanship of shilful hands, guided by
cool heads and patriotic IS entitled to none
of the attributes of infallibility. Like the Per-
sian jewel, its remarkable qualities were but i'm
aginary. They existed in the minds of those
who were willing to accord them, and not in the
instrument itself. This, at least is the apparent
condition in which find it now. Some of our
most illustrious living statesmen have declared
that it is impotent to coerce obedience to its own
provisions. \ state or dozen States may Sc
cede at will. The Constitution cannot prevent
them. The President has authority to act
outside OF the Constitution, and there is nothing
found to justify him in using the power of the
Government to compel obedience within it. If
this be so, then, indeed, does the Constitution
need amending.
We not of those who admit the truth of
this last proposition but since it gives rise to
doubt, we say, by all means let the Constitution
be amended. We must dvest our minds of that
feeling Of sanctty with which we have heretofore
regarded this splendid parchment achievement
of wise and pure men. We must be practical,
and remember that the occurrences of the pres
ent times were not foreseen by them. They were
united in feeling as well as in form. They would
not permit themselves to believe that day could
ever arrive when the Fourth of July would be
abolished by solemn Legislative enactment, on
the one hand, OF the Constitution be declared a
"league with hell and compact with the devil
on the other. 1t was reserved our day and gem
Grafton to .perpetrate these outrages upon the
name and fame of our revolutionary fathers.
If we are to exist as a Union the Constitution
must be amended; or if the south breaks off, it
should be amended. In the first instance, the
metes and bounds of slavery ought to be defined.
In the second, it should be prohibited altogether.
That the South has reason for complaint, no
conservative man will deny. That she has rights
in the Union, would be foolish enough to
deny. These rights, under the growing Northern
sentiment of innovation, must be guaranteed by
organic law. Mere statutes, which may be
changed or destroyed at the pleasure Of majori-
ties, can secure her no permanent or enduring
safety. They would only increase instead Of al
lay agitation. This is what the South feels, and
what makes her at this time so violent in her me-
naces of dissolution.
For the sake of such Southern States as Ken
lucky, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri, it is
sincerely to be hoped some general plan of Con-
stitutional amendment may be agreed upon
They have demanded it. and their voice should
be heard They have perhaps, been the greatest
sufferers from Northern fanaticism and en-
croachments, and have uttered comparatively,
the fewest complaints. Letthe cotton States use
their pleasure, secede if they prefer.