"If the opinion of the Supreme Court covered the whole ground of this Act, it ought not to control the coördinate authorities of this Government. The Congress, the Executive, and the Court must, each for itself, be guided by its own opinion of the Constitution. _Each public officer, who takes an oath to support the Constitution, swears that he will support it as he understands it, and not as it is understood by others._ It is as much the duty of the House of Representatives, of the Senate, and of the President, to decide upon the constitutionality of any bill or resolution which may be presented to them for passage or approval, as it is of the Supreme Judges, when it may be brought before them for judicial decision.... The authority of the Supreme Court must not, therefore, be permitted to control the Congress or the Executive, when acting in their legislative capacities, but to have only such influence as the force of their reasoning may deserve."[80] [80] Senate Journal, 22d Cong. 1st Sess., pp. 438, 439. Mark these words: "Each public officer, who takes an oath to support the Constitution, swears that he will support it as he understands it, and not as it is understood by others." Yes, Sir, AS HE UNDERSTANDS IT, _and not as it is understood by others_. Does any Senator here dissent from this rule? Does the Senator from Virginia? Does the Senator from South Carolina? [_Here Mr. Sumner paused, but there was no reply._] At all events, I accept the rule as just and reasonable,--in harmony, too, let me assert, with that Liberty which scorns the dogma of _passive obedience_, and asserts the inestimable right of private judgment, whether in religion or politics. In swearing to support the Constitution at your desk, Mr. President, I did not swear to support it as _you_ understand it,--oh, no, Sir!--or as the Senator from Virginia understands it,--by no means!--or as the Senator from South Carolina understands it, with a kennel of bloodhounds, or at least a "dog" in it, "pawing to get free his hinder parts," in pursuit of a slave. No such thing. Sir, I swore to support the Constitution _as I understand it_,--nor more, nor less.