Newspaper Title

Arkansas State Gazette and Democrat

Publication Date

4-4-1857

Publication Place

Little Rock, Arkansas

Event Topic

Dred Scott

Political Party

American

Region

slave state

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Quote

The Black Republican papers, with but few exceptions, so far as we have seen, are down upon the Supreme Court, for their decision in the Dred Scott case.

Document Type

Article (Journal or Newsletter)

Full Text Transcription

The Black Republican papers, with but few exceptions, so far as we have seen, are down upon the Supreme Court, for their decision in the Dred Scott case. The most opprobious epithets, the lowest Billingsgate language, are applied to them. Most conspicuous in this race of blackguardism, as a matter of course, is the New York Tribune, although it is nearly neck and neck, between it, and some of its congenial spirits, hailing from that once worthy city yclept Boston.

Among the exceptions, we are pleased to name the N. Y. Times, the organ of Gov. Seward, from which will be found below, an article worthy of the serious consideration of every man, be he Black Republican or what not, that truly loves his country, and desires to see her institutions preserved. We also give an article on the same subject, from that sterling American paper, the New York Express -- one of the few papers, by the by, in that great city, which advocated the election of Mr. Fillmore. This paper has ever been true to the Constitution, and to the laws made under it, and as a consequence, has ever been true to the South. There is a great deal of good food for thought, in both these articles. They speak the language of soberness and truth, and put the issue plainly before the people, pointing out in unmistakable language, the consequences that would follow, should Greely & Co., succeed in carrying out their wishes and designs.

The New York Times on the Dred Scott Case.-- The Times has the following sensible remarks on the utter futility of opposition to the decision rendered by the Supreme Court, in the Scott case:

The Decision of the Supreme Court.-- We must decline publishing the numerous communications that reach us, in regard to the recent decision of the Supreme Court, in regard to Slavery -- not because we are inclined in the least to depreciate its importance, or to acquiesce in its argument -- but mainly, because no practical good can follow the discussion. When the various opinions of the several Judges are published, we shall endeavor to ascertain from them what points of law have been actually decided, and what have not, and we shall probably take occasion to speak hereafter as we had done already, of the bearing of this action of the Court upon the future relations of Slavery to the Government and the country.

There are some discussions in which a journalist may profitably engage, and some in which he cannot. Before the late election, it was legitimate and laudable to resist the election of Mr. Buchanan; since that event, we have not been able to perceive the utility of such a line of argument. It is the business of a newspaper to deal with pending issues and to aim at practical results. But when a point is once established -- beyond all chance of being changed -- strength is wasted in continuing to assail it. The decision of the Supreme Court, in this instance, as in all others, is the law of the land. What it has decided must stand, all the arguments in the world, to the contrary, notwithstanding. If we thought we could persuade the Judges to reverse their own decision, we would gladly prosecute the endeavor; but we see no special ground to hope for such a result.

Some of our correspondents appeal from the Court to the people -- denounce its characters, repudiate its authority, and strive to arouse popular hostility against the supremacy assigned to it by the constitution. We cannot second those endeavors, for we deem them unsound and unsafe. They point to one of two alternative -- nullification or a change in the constitution. The first is treasonable, and the last is Quixotic. It is very natural that we should dislike the tribunal which decides against us, but it is not rational on that account to seek the overthrow of its authority. The Supreme Court is an essential part of our federal organization. The government could not exist without it, any more than it could exist without the Senate, which is quite as hostile to freedom, but fortunately not quite as longlived as the Supreme Court itself. If any section, or any party, is to seek the annihilation of whatever branch of the government happens to be against it, our political contests will become struggles for national life -- attempts to tear away, one after another, the limbs of the body politic.

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Entered by Lloyd Benson. Not Proofed

Identifier

arlgds570404a

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The Decision of the Supreme Court in the Dred Scott Case.

The Black Republican papers, with but few exceptions, so far as we have seen, are down upon the Supreme Court, for their decision in the Dred Scott case.