Compromises Of The Constitution

This phrnse is forever in the mouths of proslavery men of both parties. One would think to beat them talk that our 'athers had bound us to eternal allegiance to the Slave Power, by a law 'as imnutable as that ofihe Meáea and Perians. The following remarks on these ''Compromi.ïes" were made by Ilon. r. Sumner, a prominent Whig of Massachusetts, at the late Whig State Convention. In urging his party to antislavery ground, he said, - " Certainly to labor in this cause is far higher and nobler than to strive merely íor a repeal of the tariff, which wns once mentioned as the tocsin thnt w;s to rally the W'higs. Repeal of Slavery x;ndeh the Coxstitution and Laws OF the United States, ais more Christian nnd more potent watéh word because it embodics a higher sentiment, and a more commanding duty. The time has passed when this can be opposed on constituí ional grounds. - It will not bc questionedby any competent nuihority, that Cpngress moy, by expresa Iegislntion, abolish slavery,' lst, in the District ofColumbia; 2d, in territorios, if ll:ere should be any ; 33, that it may abolish theslavc-trade betwepn the states'; 4thj ihnt it may refuse to admit any new State with a. Con.stitution, snnctioning slavery. Nor can it be questioned that the people of the United Sta'es may, in the manner pointed cui by the Constitution proceed to its amendment. 1 1 is, then, by legislation nnd amendment of the Constitution, that slavery is to be repealed. And here the question nrises, are there any compromises o the Constitution, of súch a character os to prevent the F ree States from calling for the repeaj of slavery 1 It is the word comyromise, v.-hich is invoked by many honest minds as the excuse fornoi joining this cause. - Let me ineet this suggestion frankly and fairly. It is said that the Constitution of the United States was the resu'lt of a compromise between the Free and Slave States, nnd that it wo-jld he contrary to good f-iith to break it. To this it might be replied that the Slave Stales, by their many violations of the Contitution, have alrea;ly overturned all the original compromises, if there were any of a perpetual character. But I do not content mysel. with ibis answer. I wish tosay, distinctlv, that there is no ccmpromise on the subject ol' slavery, of a chnrac:er not to j be reached legally and Constitutionally, which is the only way in which I propose I to rcach it. Tlic Constitution contains an janicle poiming out how, at any time. amendrr.ents may be made thereto. Tbis is a very important element in it, giving to the Constituí ion a progrcssivc character, allowing it to be moulded to suit new exigencics and new conditions of foeling. The wiï-e framers of this instrument, did nol treat the country as a Chinese foot, - r.ever to grow after its infancy, - bi.it j provided for the changps incident to its Lgrovvth, "provided, tíint no amendment which may be made prior to tlie year 1806 shall in way alïect the lst and 4th chiu'so, in t!ie Oth section of the lst artiele, and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal su (Trage in the Senote." These are the words of the con-titution. It expressly deáignates what shall be sacred from nmendmont, what compromises shall bo perpetual, and indoingso accordingto a t'aniiliar rule of law and logic, virtually declares that the remainder may be amended. Alrcady, since the adoption of the Constitution, twelve amendments have been made, and everv year produces ■ new projects. It has been prfsscd on the floor of Congress to abrogato the power of the veto, and also to limit the tenurc of office of the President. Lei it be distincly understood, then, and this is my answer to the suggestion of binding compromise?, that in providing for the amendment of the Constitution, its franiers expressly cstablished the means for setting asicfe what are vaguclv called the cmpromiss óf thé Constitution. They oxpressly declaro, makc amendmenfs iii this nstrumpptj rendered proper by change of opinión and character, following always the manner herein prescribed."