The Preamble would be powerless against any “positive” sanction of Slavery by unequivocal words; but, on the other hand, any attempted sanction of Slavery by words not “positive” and not unequivocal, must be powerless against the Preamble, which, in this respect, is in harmony with the ancient maxims of the law.
Sumner argues that the Preamble serves as a powerful counter to any ambiguous pro-slavery language in the Constitution.
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Sovereignty of, belongs to the people, XVI. 28.
Disunion no remedy for grievances of, VII. 33.
Consent of the governed necessary in forming new governments of, XII. 298.
Slavery and the: speech in New York, XI. 433.
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