The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-05-28

N'y P'"NNiNdOiS CApCuitllb II Cp1SlSl>
ed IN sepai ating the powers of sovereignty
in establishing general government, and
comforting on ic all the powers of sovereignty
whose geographical influence was found CO.
extensive with the geographical limits of
the u. States, and reserving to the state
governments respectively, those powers
winch were OF more local character, and
which possessed no confluence beyond the Ii
m'ts of the states respectively And also
to confer on the general government call
the means necessary and proper" for eX-
ecutng us own laws in relation to these
enumerated powers, thout any Deepen
dence upon acquisitions from the respect
i've state governments for this indispensable
obJect The idea was grand one. and
executed with an admirable simplicity, aud
the most consummate wisdom. Hence it
appears that the great\ object of the fra
mers OF the constitution was, to establish
general OF federaL government, and to
confer on 1t all the powers of sovereignty
winch IN their nature and character pos.
sessed an Influence co-extensive with the
y. States; and to reserve to the previously
existing state governments all the powers
OF sovereignty of q more local character,
and whose influence did not extend beyond
the geographical limits of the states res
pectvely, and therefore, could be render
cd completely subservient to state juris-
diction and management These are the
means prescribed in the constitution, for eff
tecung the ends expressed in the prcam-
HE. To. the administrators of the general
government, the trainers of the constitution
have said--We giUe to you ali the powers of
sovereignty OF general character; and to
the administrators of the stats governments,
they nave Sald--we re8erUe TO you all the
powers OF sovereignty of local character.
2erily believe, that if those various go
vernments should be administered with the
wisdom with which this separation of pow
els was made in the body of the constitute
on, the people of the United States will not
be disappointed in the great and interesting
objects proclaimed in its preamble. But
cannol help expressing some apprehen
slons, that from an incorrect understanding
of the constitution-from an unwise spirit
of jealousy, disposition to strip the govern
ment OF Its necessary and proper energies,
&c. &c. the administrators of the govern
ment may not only disappoint. the just ex
Pectauohs OF the people in this respect, but
may lead to incalculable political mischiefs
and disasters. This arrangement was, in
my judgment, indispensable to the preserva-
ton of the republican principle. and all
important to the dearest interests of the
people of the United States. AS far as the
practical experiment has been carried, it
has been attended with the happiest effects.
L still hope tor the best in it's future opera
tons. but also hope / shall be pardoned
for expressing some fears, arising from va
ricus manifestations of imbecilty in mea
sures relating TO our internal as we'll as ear-
ternaL concerns. From this short history of
tne origin OF the constitution, and the eau
seS which produced it, il evidently appears,
that the general or federal government is
in its nature and character a government of
enumerated powers taken from previously
existing state governments, euumerate
and conferred on IT, reseruing all unenu-
merated powers to the state governm ents,
or to the people in their individual capaci-
ties. But if any doubts had existed upon
this subject, two amendments to the consti
tuition. growing out of some jealUnsies lest
contrary Interpretation should be given
to the constitution have been adopted,
which ought to put this question to rest for
ever. The 9th and 10th articles Of amend
ments to the constitution, are as follow
The enumeration in the constitution of
certain rights shall not be construed to de-
ny or disparsge others retained by the Deo-
pie" % The powers not delegated to the
United States by the constitutions, nor pro-
hlbited byi to the states, are reserved to
the states respectively, or to the people
Now, sir, can language be more explicit
than this, 10 declaring that this charter con-
tains certain enumerated powers and that
all not enumerated are reserved TO the states
or TO the people There is one article re
serving rights to the people, and afterwards
another article reserving them to the states
& TO the people. While on this subject, l
beg leave to read clause in the constitution,
which find am ng the enumerated powers,
and which has been construed by some,
as intended to convey a general grant
of powers amongst the enumerated pow
erS -
Congress shall have power to lay and
collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excuses,
to pay the debts and provide for the com
on defence and general welfare of the u
nited States" The words sand TO hro
vide for the common defence and general
zoeLfare F" have by some been considered as
a general grant OF power. No
thing is necessary TO show, that this is not
fair ard correct construction of the consti-
tuition. but reading it with attention. These
terms contain NJ grant of power whatever,
but are used 70 express the ends or objects.
for which particular grants of power were
given Paying the debts and providing FOR
the common defence and general welfare
are gredt objects intimately connected with
the particular grants Of power, which are
given for their effectuation, aud without
these particular grants Of power Il would
no, have been possible for Congress to et.
feet them The trainers Of the Constitution
II. g -f.s