"One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights"

In this quote, James K. Polk is highlighting among the primary purposes of the Constitution - to safeguard the rights of minorities from being trampled upon by the majority. The Constitution was created to avoid the majority from using their power to oppress or infringe upon the rights of those who might hold various beliefs or belong to different groups. This was an important aspect of the Constitution, as it intended to produce a reasonable and just society where all people, no matter their background or beliefs, were treated similarly and their rights were safeguarded. By emphasizing this point, Polk is stressing the importance of maintaining the concepts of equality and justice in a democratic society.