by the acts of their Legislatures nullifying the Fugitive Slave Law, and in direct disregard of their constitutional obligations
In his argument using the example of the Fugitive Slave law nullification, Stephans might be referring to the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land in the United States. It creates a federal system of government in which power is shared between the federal government and the state governments. However, Federal law trumps state law when there is conflict.
“the Union of hearts and hands,”
This phrase may have been taken from Samuel Adams Advocates American Independence 1776 when Adams speaks to the spirit of freedom in the hearts of those who fought for this country “The hearts of your soldiers beat high with the spirit of freedom; they are animated with the justice of their cause, and while they grasp their swords can look up to Heaven for assistance”. (http://www.nationalcenter.org/SamuelAdams1776.html)
” Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation.”
Stephans refers to the Georgia motto. The Georgia General Assembly has never adopted an official motto. However, in 1799, when the legislature adopted a new state seal, it provided for an arch containing the word “Constitution” supported by three pillars. The legislation specified that the three pillars represented the three branches of government. Appearing on a banner that encircling the three pillars were the words “Wisdom,” “Justice,” and “Moderation”—with each word associated with one pillar. This later led one historian to conclude that “Wisdom” was to apply to the legislative branch in making the laws, “Justice” to the judicial branch in their decisions, and “Moderation” to the executive branch to administer laws in moderation. [Lawton B. Evans, A History of Georgia for Use in Schools (New York: American Book Co., 1898, 1908), p. 152]
The experience of eight years in the Presidential Chair, and the almost almost more than human wisdom of Washington gave him a glimpse of the fatal omission thus made in the Constitution, and hence we find in that wonderful document—his Farewell Address—a note of solemn warning against such a perversion of the Government, by the formation of sectional parties. What was thus dimly shadowed to his prophetic ken, is the fact of to-day, and will be history tomorrow. Is it not according to the form of the Constitution? I am asked. I answer it is. Tell me it is in accordance with the spirit and frame work?
Cobb used this one passage from the farewell address to strengthen his position but failed to acknowledge Washington’s concern that the union remain intact. While Washington’s farewell address did warn of domestic enemies: “Political parties were a deep threat to the health of the nation for they allowed "a small but artful and enterprising minority" to "put in the place of the delegated will of the Nation, the will of a party.", his overall message stressed that "NATIONAL UNION" formed the bedrock of "collective and individual happiness" for U.S. citizens. As he explained, "The name of AMERICAN, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of PATRIOTISM, more than any appellation derived from local distinctions." (http://www.ushistory.org/us/17d.asp)
Suppose it were Great Britain that had violated some compact of agreement with the General Government, what would be first done? In that case our Minister would be directed in the first instance to bring the matter to the attention of that Government, or a commissioner be sent to that country to open negotiations with her, ask for redress, and it would only be after argument and reason had been exhausted in vain that we would take the last resort of nations. That would be the course toward a foreign Government; and toward a member of this Confederacy I would recommend the same course. Let us not, therefore, act hastily or ill-temperedly in this matter. Let your Committee on the state of the Republic make out a bill of grievances; let it be sent by the Governor to those faithless States; and if reason and argument shall be tried in vain,—if all shall fail to induce them to return to their constitutional obligations, I would be for retaliatory measures, such as the Governor has suggested to you. 13 This mode of resistance in the Union is in our power. It might be effectual; and in the last resort we would be justified in the eyes of nations, not only in separating from them, but in using force. (A voice.—“ The argument is already exhausted.”) Some friend says that the argument is already exhausted. No, my friend, it is not. You have never called the attention of the Legislatures of those States to this subject that I am aware of. Nothing on this line has ever been done before this year. The attention of our own people has been called to the subject lately. Now, then, my recommendation to you would be this: In view of all these questions of difficulty, let a convention of the people of Georgia be called, to which they may all be referred. Let the sovereignty of the people speak. Some think that the election of Mr. Lincoln is cause sufficient to dissolve the Union. Some think those other grievances are sufficient to dissolve the same, and that the Legislature has the power thus to act, and ought thus to act. I have no hesitation in saying that the Legislature is not the proper body to sever our federal relations, if that necessity should arise. An honorable and distinguished gentleman, the other night (Mr. T. R. R. Cobb), advised you to take this course,—not to wait to hear from the cross-roads and groceries......
Stephan’s argument makes reference to prior methods of addressing grievances before resorting to revolution which he viewed as a last option. He offers methods used prior to the Revolutionary war. Stephans also argues that if battle or secession is the answer, than it should be determined by the people and not the state legislature
“ultima ratio regum.”
Latin Phrase meaning the final argument of kings (a resort to arms): it is the motto engraved on the cannons of Louis XIV. Thomas Paine also used this in his 1792 Rights of Man in reference to the sword of justice and it being mankind's battle for basic human rights.
Fugitive Slave Law,
Act passed by the United States Congress on September 18, 1850, as part of the Compromise of 1850 between Southern slave holding interests and Northern anti-slavery proponents. It required that all escaped slaves were, upon capture, to be returned to their masters and that officials and citizens of free states had to cooperate in this law
right of suffrage
Term for the right to vote in public political elections
Equality among the States
Based on article IV of the Constitution providing that new State enter the Union on an equal footing with the original States in all respects
sectional parties.
Political parties with loyalty to one's own region or section of the country, rather than to the entire country
prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a people who mean to be free.
Jefferson may have encountered this phrase in Pamphlets on Free Thought. The House of Brunswick
paying off former crimes committed against the LIBERTIES of one people, with crimes
Might have used The Scots Magazine for inspuration.
a plan of instruction should be digested, as might best conduce to the Negroes eternal welfare, without making them uneasy in thier present condition or encouragining them to revolt against thier owners.
Determining instruction to slaves for their internal benefit. And keep them loyal to their masters or father figure. Without giving them knowledge that they may use against their masters.
Slaves be consistent with divine and human obligations, care should be taken to secure the property of the slave to his owner under all circumstances.
Beginning of establishing paternalism. Slaves being bound to their masters through divine and human obligations.
Negros
Term used for African people