Weekly national intelligencer., 1864-04-28
CONTEMPT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

large portion OF the American people nave come U
treat the Constitution of the United States will
derision" And in so saying we do not refer t.
the armed insurgents, who have cast off allegiance
to its authority, and who are in league for its de
struction. We refer to that class of sef.styet
loyal men who, in the pursuit of their passionate
policy against the insurgents, have brought them
selves to believe that in the conduct of the wal
and in the adoption of all legislative measure.
judged to be expedient for the present emergency
they are emancipated from the limitations and sane
tions Of the Constitution. Hence the impatience
with which constitutional objections secuted by
many who do not deem it worth their while to LEI
such objections stand in the way of their wishes
and purposes. 1t is held to be sufficient reply to
all such objections to say that those who utter
them wish to make the Constitution "a shield for
traitors" And so it has come to pass that pro-
fessedly "loyal men" vie with traitors" in
making the Constitution an object of derision.
The frantic violence of extremists ON both sides
conducts to the same revolutionary coincidence Of
theory, and makes these extremists mutual auxilia-
ries in the work Of destroying the foundations on
which the fabric of our institutions once rested in
symmetry and strength
Mr.. Senator CoLLAMER, of Vermont, forcibly
referred, on the 18th instant to this evil portent
of our times, while remarking on bill to prohibit
speculation in gold, then pending in the Senate,
against which he had the presum ption to bring a
constitutional objection. He said:
al do not wish to occupy the time Of the Senate
unless / compelled to do at some stage of this
business, by making any remarks about the Consti-
tuition Of the United States. think subject almost Of
derison here with many gentlemen it is object of de-
rision AS it is 80 in great measure and man is
decent respect for it and for his oath he is called
mid man, do not wish to take up much of the aten
tion of body where such subject treated in such
will merely say that do not see how have
power to forbid people, to regulate if you please peo
pie in making matter of trade in relation to bill OF for
egn exchange any than in relation to any other piece
of property. Have you power to forbid the buying aud
selling of foreign goods because the buying and selling of
foreign goods it is said occasions gold TO be carried out
of the country do not see how we have the power
where that power found in the Constitution by which
undertake to forbid people trading article
otherwise lawful ARTICLE of commerce Foreign paper is
much SO as foreign goods are. That is the trouble
have with it do not suppose it is worth any time.
The value Of the time Of the Senate too great for me
occupy it in useless dissertations.
"Mr. SHERMAN 10 reply to the Senator from Vermont
will say that certainly 90 not object to constitutional
pont being raised
"Mr. CoLLAMER. did not speak Of it it could be
made point OF order On any man here. Laughter 1t
has not got quite to that do not think the gentleman
can make it point OF order"
Another Republican Senator Mr.. TRUMBULL,
Of Illinois felt constrained few days later to re-
buke this same tendency, while pointing out the
impolicy, not to say the iniquity, of treating
stitutionsl scruples with contempt He said
"Tbe Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. WILSON, says
that my is The right Perhaps it may not be
but if have done any thing to weaken the power
the patriotic people 70 put down the rebellion has been
by assuming action which the exgences OF the country
did not require. We have great work to do to the
country the Constitution constitutional liberty
We want the and the help of all the people of the
loyal States We want to get up no divisions about whe
ther womens rights should prevail about estabs
for temporary purpose, n far of Territory prin
cipe that to aienste aud divide loyal and friends
Of the Government Sir it is Of piece with another de-
claration that have heard sometimes 10 this chamber
and have always regretted when have heard it, and that
was, that it mattered not whether thing constitu
tonal not SIr, this Government cannot be saved,
constitutional liberty cannot be saved, unless it
under the Constitution We fighting for liberty regu
lated by law-for constitutional liberty; and far from
the Government from weakening the
rebellion you divide the loyal sentiment of the North you
aid rebellion, whenever you undertake o do with
out constitutional authority. What is 1t that divides the
loyal people7 How ia that there opposition n the
Northern States On what it based1 1t is under the
pretence that the Government in its effort put down
this rebellion has usurped authority has assumed 10 H.
self powers not warranted by the Constitution think
these charges not always just. know they
most frequently they unjust But would avoid IL
could the appearance Of violation OF the Constitution
The necessity Of loyal adherence to the Con-
stitution in this time of public danger was also
eloquently asserted by Mr.. Senator FOSTER, of
Connecticut, on the 10th instant while discussing
the proposition to repeal all statutes for the reca
nation of fugitive slaves. He spoke thus:
"0ur political salvation is in the Constitution. Let
think say what they will let them imagine that
exgences called necessities may where we had
better step aside from the Constitution deude our
selves il think abandon that instrument and
90 to victory The path Of glory is here the path
duty the path Of the Constitution; and divergence from
pe tried to their utmost power Of endurance the
tions life mperilled, willing TO go far can be
gone with safety In nong authority 10 the instrument
the exercise Of positive aud summary powers am will
ing strain the Constitution far il is possibe but
alter all the Constitution and must be sheet anchor
III part the cable that holds 10 that gallant ship
of state will be adri and will be dashed upon the
rocks covered with the wrecks Of former days and
the rich treasures Of the present and the glorious
hopes Of humanity for the future with which that ship is
| freiehted will all perish together. :"
81 agree with those who think that slavery has been
one of the efficient Of this rebeio0 the efficient
cause the moving power and agree with Senators in
INV desire to see that institution botted from the
at early day by possibility II can be properly done
20 with here and every where IN all lawful endea-
10 put end to this Institution, and to put such
end to il shall be final But cannot subscribe to the
morality that because certain men IN certain States OF the
hv the af he