Hide Article Text (OCR)
THE DEED SCOTT DECISION.We arc glad fo find that fho law, as laid down by the Supreme Court in tho ease of Drcd Scott, is no’; likely to ho quietly accepted by the Frco States of tho Union. Wo read that an exciting debate has taken placo in the Pennsylvanian Senate, on resolutions condemning tho decision. Tho resolutions were referred to a select committee.A Virginian paper, in commenting on tho decision says:—“The highest judicial tribunal in the lant has decided that the blackamoors—called, by the extreme of public courtesy, the coloured population—are not citizens of the United States. This decision must be followed by other decisions and regulations in the individual States themselves. Negro suffrage must, of course, bo abolished everywhere, Negro nuisances, m the shape of occupying promiscuous seats in our rail cars and churches with those who are citizens, must be abated, e. c ”Tho JVac York Independent says “ It is not a merely accidental thing that the inauguration of President Buchanan is accompanied by a solemn decree of tho Supreme Court of Washington, pronouncing tho nationalization of slavery. Tho inauguration ball, or tho discharge of artillery after the ceremony of inauguration, was not more really part and parcel °l tv° ^kmnities which were to mark and celebrate the beginning of tho new administration. It was not without a quick sen^ of congruity, and of what may be called, in a large sense, etage-cflect,that the programme of the inauguration was thus arranged. No passage in the inaugural oration is more significant of Mr. Buchanan’s position and policy, than is the memorable decision which was pronounced last week by Mr. Chief Justice Taney. A new era in the history of onr country has been inaugurated.“ More than eighty years ago, A.D. 1772, a judicial decision from the highest legal authority in Great Britain pronounced slavery an impossible thing upon the soil of England. That was the decision given by the Lord Chief Justico Mansfield, in the case of tho negro Somcrcet. And now, in the year of Our Lord 1857, a decision from the Supreme Court of tho United States makes slavery a national institution in the nation which began its career by proclaiming the self-evident truth, that- ‘ men are created equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which aro life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ The name of Drcd Scott has bccomo historical, like the name of James Somerset. The name of Chief Justice Taney will stand conjoined for ever by the association of contrast with the name of Lord. Mansfield.’’The ficv. Dr. Cheever has delivered, “by request,” another sermon on the duties of tho people in reference to tho recent decision of the Supreme Court as to the civil rights, or, rather, want of civil rights of the coloured race in this country. His discourse was based on the text “ The Powers that be are ordained of God.” In its general scope and tendency it was essentially similar to lectures which have been heretofore delivered by the reverend gentleman on the same subject. His argument stated syllogisticolly would run thus: Major—God never meant that wo should obey tho powers that be when they pervert their authority by the enunciation of unrighteous law. Minor—The Supreme Court, by its late decisions, declaring that negroes had no rights which a white man ought to respect, enunciated unrighteous law. Conclusion—Therefore, God never meant that we should obey tho Supreme Court.
Newspaper Details
Patriot
London, Middlesex, GB
Fri, Apr 24, 1857
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
GB 09 May 2025
Other Publications Near London, Middlesex
London Standard
Morning Chronicle
London Morning Post
London Daily News
Guardian
