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

with changes wrought by time. Hence, all Of
the older States of the Union have already, and
within a period of eighty-hve years, amended
their several constitutions from one 10 ten times,
by adding additional guarantees securing minority
rights. Hence, also, the United States, having
hrst organized under the articles of confederation
IN l1fe, and continued under them for eleven
years, till 1859, when the present Constitution of
the United States was substituted for those
articles, except the eleven amendments which
have since, at different times been in the same
spirit which it originally was framed, added TO
the original instrument.-See the Amendments TO
the Constitution Of the United States.
Proposition 5. If there is now any minority in.
terest which the changes of time have deprived Of
the security of constitutional guaranty, an amend
ment ought to be added to the Constitution giving
that guaranty.
Proposition 6. The slave interest is such an in
terest. When the Constitution was formed a
majority of the States constituting the Union
were slave States, and the Others were engaged
in furnishing them slaves from Africa. The
slave interest then sufficiently protected BY the
Constitution, because it the majority interest
No law could be enacted affecting il but by the
Shareholders themselves Now, by the changes Of
time the slave interest, amounting in value to
$1,000 ,OOO, 900, has become a minority interest,
local to section of the Union, and entirely at the
mercy of the Northern section which now has a
majority in both branches of the Legislature, and
has the executive department Of the Government
The Government now, therefore, can repeal or
refuse to execute the fugitive slave law; and
should it, the indefinite provision now in the Con
stituton would be worthless. 1t can prohibit the
interstate slave trade; il exclude shareholders
from the common territory Of the Union; il can
abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, and
other places within the States belonging 10 the
General Government; it can. in short, indirectly
destroy the value Of this entire slave interest.
ask. then, is il not right, is il not in accordance
with usage in all free Governments for the South,
this great minority interest," to ask guarantees of
protectionY 1t it not the exact case presented
where guarantees are demanded and given7 Do
the Republicans say they will not disturb this in
terest, and do not intend TOT Then why not give
the guaranty in order tina; the exposed minority
may have confidence and repose. Constitutions
are made for the very reason that promises can
not be trusted, and especially those Of Republi-
cans whose leading principle is hostility TO the in
stitutions of the South.
Proposition 7. But, do the Republicans saw on
the other hand that the Institution is one 20 odous
that they will not consent to its protectionf Then
certainly, the South is right in going out of
Union that, at its formation, recognized the
right of slavery to protection, and now denies il.
Proposition 6. The Republicans can not refuse
constitutional guarantees protecting slavery, on
1t is not, therefore an irreligious institution.
The words translated servant in our version of
the Scriptures, are dOulos from the Greek version,
and servus from the Latin, both Of which mean
slave, and are translated slave in all profane
writers.
The old and new testaments both sanction
slave; and the former expressly sanctions the
slave-tra6e--Gen., chap. 25; uerses from A 20 46
incluSi5e
Proposition 3. The Republicans can not refuse
the guaranty because slavery is against the Law
of nations 1t is not. See Chief Justice Mar
shall, in the case of the Antelope, 10 Wheaton, &C.
Slavery is not prohibited by the common law.
The slavery of white persons, Anglo Saxons. was
recognized by the common law, and under il
such slavery existed in England over a thousand
years. 1t was only African slavery that not
recognized by the common law of England be
cause there were Africans there TO be the sub
jects of it when the common law originated
Greasy on the English Constitution, IS. Taylor
Law Glossary, pages SIS to SIT inclusive.
Il Why then should the Republicans refuse tbs
guaranty asked for in the Crittenden amend
ment? Is it because they assume 10 know bette
what the South wants than the South hersel
doesg JUsTIoE.