The United States Constitution, Suppression of Slave Insurrections. (Const., Art. 1, sec. 8; Art. 4, sec. 4.) (2)

We are not aware of any decision of the Supreme Court upon the meaning of these clauses; but it seems difficult to conceive that they would hold that the word “insurrections” did not include all insurrections.

Such is the Constitution, according to the plain, obvious, and common meaning of its terms; such it was intended to be made by its framers; such has been the interpretation constantly followed in the practice of the government, from the time of its adoption until now; and such it is according to the decision of the final interpreter of its meaning. As reasonable men, seeking the truth, we cannot say that there is the slightest doubt whatever on the subject. The Constitution very materially supports slavery.

“Yes! it cannot be denied—the slaveholding lords of the south prescribed, as a condition of their assent to the Constitution, three special provisions to secure the perpetuity of their dominion over their slaves. The first was the immunity for twenty years of preserving the African slave trade; the second was the stipulation to surrender fugitive slaves—an engagement positively prohibited by the laws of God, delivered from Sinai; and thirdly, the exaction, fatal to the principles of popular representation, of a representation for slaves—for articles of merchandise, under the name of persons, * * * in fact, the oppressor representing the oppressed! * * * To call government thus constituted a democracy, is to insult the understanding of mankind. It is doubly tainted with the infection of riches and slavery. Its reciprocal operation upon the government of the nation is to establish an artificial majority in the slave representation over that of the free people, in the American Congress; and thereby to make the preservation, propagation, and perpetuation of slavery, the vital and animating spirit of the national government.”—John Quincy Adams.

It is because the Constitution is thus a pro-slavery instrument that the radical abolitionists refuse to vote or take office under it. Can you, reader, give it countenance or support, by voting or accepting office under it?

Published for gratuitous distribution, at the office of the American Anti-Slavery Society, No. 138 Nassau Street, New York. Also to be had at the Anti-Slavery Offices, No. 21 Cornhill, Boston, and No. 31 North Fifth Street, Philadelphia.