Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1861-02-28
Why Constitutional Amendments are
Demanded.


We frequently hear the assertion that the
Constitution OF the United States is good en-
Ough as 1t is, and that il needs 10 be obeyed,
rather than ameuded, and there are many who
cannot perceive any good reason why those
Southern States who desire to remain IN the
Union should insist upon having the ConstIiu-
ton amended in such a way as TO rende. slave
properly more secure, and TO insure the right
of equality IN the national territories, which
right the Supreme Court has declared that
they are entitled 10, under the Constitution
1t now Ia.
1t cannot be doubted that the present Con-
stltu'lon has secured to the people of our whole
country a greater amount Of freedom, happl-
"ess. and prosperity, than hose of any other
country have enjoyed, and it is not strange
that many should lhlnk that il is we'll II" to let
well enough al0ne;" but in endeavcring TO
fOrm tar opinion Of the merits of such ques
| ton, we should be careful not 10 deceive our
selves by forming an estimate of The condition
OF In ngs 10 SoulherH States, when we view
them from Northern stand point.
At The time when the Constitution was form
! ed, slavery existed ia nearly all the States OF
the Union; cotton was not an important pro.
duct, and The negroes, many Of whom were re-
| Gently imported, were almost savages, and
| comparatively of little value. Since that time,
| slavery has been abolished in some of tue
| States, aud tho large immigration 10 the
! Northern portion oflhe Confederacy has ca FUSED
! The Free States greatly TO preponderate over
he slave holding ones, until at the present
me the North has large ma joriies in both
! Houses Of Congress-. The slaves now in this
country hav been reared in civilized habits
and reared Iadus'rously, so that their value
| hn III cal al hal
cotton, the best qualities of which are produces
in localities in which white men cannot couve
nIcutly work, has given the institution Of slav-
cry an Importance which it never had before
Durag the last dry years the feeling Of op
position TO that institution has been constantly
increasing in the Northern States. Societies
and political organizations have been formed
%lth the ayowed object Of eradlcating what il
here regarded as a blot upon our liberal insti.
tutions, and although the Republican party
generally, denies any intention of interfering
with slavery in the States, yet the anti-slav-
cry sentiment has evidently been rapidly in
creasing. An evidence of this may be seen in
the tact that 179, 600 votes ia the State of New
York, at the last election, voted in fsvo. Of On
qualified negro suffrage.
The gentlemen now elected 10 the two high
est offices under our government, are bott
from Northern States; the main feature OF tn,
platform upon which they were elected. wer,
opposition TO one phase Of the slavery question
aud they were elected entirely by the votes O
Northern States. The Executive department
f Of the Government, after the 4th of March
will bein the hands of this party, with prcb
ability that in few years it may also preva:
IN both Houses. of Congress.
; Circumstances hare changed, and this i
"a NV -, IN
South cannot feel safe unless they have IN
Constitution SO amended as TO prevent North
ern party, entertaining feeling of hostility L
Southern institution, from infringing upo
their constitutional rights.
= The sectional attitude Of parties, and the in
fammalory editorials and harangues of dema
gogical pattiZans, have so infs med the popula
mind, both North and South, that il is not ca 6
tor the people of either section to take a cali
and deliberate view of the troubles which hav
o grown out Of the untriendly strife, and il is S
. easy thing to be carried away by local preil
n Dice, especially when that prejudice is ba Use
! upon a desire for universal fret dom, and di,
! like of the name of SLGue, that we can hardl
q wsnder at the growth of the hostile feein
r which 50 feartuiiy pervaded our country; bt
E when we remember that the questions at issu
II are 10 fact but distractions, and that bringin
them into our national contests has inficte
y widespread distress, and placed the Repub
, in imminent peril it becomes manifest Ihi
h wisdom, duty and patriotism, all demand til;
@ speedy and satisfactory concessions should
made to alay the doubts and fears of such
,, our Southern brethren as only ask for thot
!, guarantees which will enable them TO feel 3,
b cure under the changed circumstances in whiC
; they are placed.-Phild. ENG Journal.
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