Constitutional Liberty Quotes
This quotation is an excellent statement of the argument of interpreting a constitution—in this case Wisconsin’s—in light of modernity or to only interpreted consistent with the original intent and mindset.
This quotation is historically important because Davis clearly states the reason for the rebellion of the South. The anti-slave states were growing at a greater rate than the slave states and despite the greater voting power that a southerner had (a result of the 3/5 count of slaves for census purposes, and the Senate), the handwriting was on the wall and the majority of the United States was against the vicious institution of slavery and would make it unprofitable, impossible and/or illegal in the coming years. Southern slavery advocates saw this as a “tyranny of the majority” and therefore took up arms. In the early 20th century, apologists for the Southern rebellion tried to promote the idea that there were reasons other than slavery, but this quotation and the resolutions of the states who withdrew from the Union make it clear that the right to maintain slavery was the only significant issue. In that sense it was a States’ Rights issue, but the South was opposed to States’ Rights when it came to States refusing to return fugitive slaves when Federal Law required such under the Dred Scott Supreme Court Decision.
The Republicans had broken off from the Whig Party and started a new one attracting some liberal Democrats also. The Republican Party described themselves as “radicals” and argued for major reform quickly.
The landowners of New York’s Dutchess County were relatively well to do. They had been enthusiastic supporters of the Continental Congress so that the latter could impress upon the British Authorities the economic injustices but the Dutchess County landowners were less enthused about confrontation over incidents in far away Boston. The plea here was to principle, patriotism and not to self interest.
