US Presidency
1860

The old Articles of Confederation were entitled Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between the States, and by the thirteenth article it is expressly declared that the articles of this Confederation shall be inviolably observed by every State, and the Union shall be perpetual. The preamble to the Constitution of the United States, having express reference to the Articles of Confederation, recites that it was established in order to form a more perfect union. And yet it is contended that this more perfect union does not include the essential attribute of perpetuity. But that the Union was designed to be perpetual appears conclusively from the nature and extent of the powers conferred by the Constitution on the Federal Government. These powers embrace the very highest attributes of national sovereignty. They place both the sword and the purse under its control. Congress has power to make war and to make peace, to raise and support armies and navies, and to conclude treaties with foreign governments.