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Show 342 SLA VEHY AGITATION. all thence follow, tbnt the power could be rightfully exercised. The ca. c may be re ·emble<l to that of a plenipotr'nlinry invr.ted with a plenary power, but ·who at the ·ame time hns positive instructions from hi~ o·ovcn1mcnt as to the kind of treaty whkh he is to n<'gotiatc :tnd eonl'l ud e. If he violates those in:t ructions, nnd eotl(:lud<'S a difl'crcnt treaty, hi goverum ntis not bontl<l lJy it; anc1 if the forcirr 11 1') o-overnment i.• aware of the violation, it acL in bad fai th. Ot· it may be illustrated Ly an example drawn from private life. I am an endorser for my friend on a note discounted in bank. Jic applies to me to endorse another, to renew it, which I do, in blank. Now, this gives him power to make any other usc of my note which he pl n. es. Hut if, in .·Lcau of applying it to the intended purpooe, he goes to a broker and scl1s it, t11Cl'cby doubling my rcspon, il>ility for him, he commits n breach of trust, and a violation of the gootl faith implied in the whole transaction. * * * * * * * * The fit·st impcuiment is the utter and au oluto want of all power on the part of the general govemm nt to e1l'ect the purpose. The Con titution of the United Stales creates u. limited government, comprising comparatively few powel's, and leaving the residuary mas.· of political power in the possession of the several States. It is wc1I known that the subject of slavery in Lcrposed one of the greatest difficulties in the formation of the Constitution. It was happily compromised and adjusted in a spirit of harmony and patl'iotism. .According to that compromise, uo power whatever was grunted to tho general government in respect to domestic slavery, but that which relates to tn.xation and reprc cntn.tiou, and the power to restore fugitive slaves to their lawful owners. All other power in regard to the in ·titution of slavery was retained exclusively by the States, to be exercised by them severa11y, according to their respective views of their own peculiar interest. Tho Constitution of tho SLAVl!.:ltY AGl'l'A't'lON. o-1:3 UnitN1 Sl:tleH never could have been formed upon the principle o[ invest in~; lh.e geu cr~\.1 governlll('IIL with authority to nbolish the instiLttLton at 1ls pleasure. It never can bo continued for a sin gle day if the exercise of such a power be n.s::>umed r tvurped. But it mn.y lJo contended by these ultra-abolitionists that their object is not to stimulate the aetion of the g·encral government, lJnt ~o operate up.on the lat~s themselves in which the in stitu tiOn of domcsttc slavery extsts. If that be their object, why arc these nh ol ilion soci 'Lies and movements all confln d to t he free Slttlrs? \Vhy arc tho slave States wantonly and crnolly nssni lcc1? \Vhy tlo the uboli tion presses teem with publications lending to excite haired and animosil3 'In the part of the inha.hil.unts o[ the free SLn.tcs against tho. e of the slave l.al<' ·? Why is Congress pelitione(1? 'rho free taLes htwc no more power ~r right to inl.crfor·e with instituti on. in th Hlavc Stal.<·s, eonf1 (lcd to the cxclnsive jurisdiction of those 1 lnlrH, thnn t.hC'y woultl have to interfere wilh instit utions exii::iLi ng in any foreign country. vVhat would be thought of' the formation of societies in Great Britain, the issue of numerous inflammatory publications, and the son eli ng o.u L. of leeturcrf:! throu.ghout the kingdom, denouncing and a11mng at the dcstrnctwn of a11y of the institutions of France? Would they he regarded as proceedings wnrrantcd by a good neighborhood? Or what woul<l be thought of the formation of societies in the slnvc States, the issue of violent and inflammato ry tracts, and the deputation or mi., iouari es, ponriug Out imp:t.':ioncd clcnnnciatiOIIS again. t institutions und r the exclusive control of tho free SLate·? Is their put·por;c to a.pp 'a.! to our nn<lcrstnnclings, and to acluate our humanity? And do they expect to accomplish thn.t purpose by holcling us up to the scorn, n.n tl coutempt, anrl del cstn.ti on of the p oplc of the fr.ce St~tes nnd the whole civilized world? Tho sln.very wlneb extsls amongst us is our a[air1 not Ll1eir. ; nnd they have no more |