Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1833-02-04

COMMUNICATION.
10 iie Editors Of The virg,uian.


MFssas p.roas--I observe in the Vii ,nan o
! the 2sh ut an article over tic signature o.
" A Republican" IN Which an attempt is made io
prove the fallacy OF some of the positions assumed
by the resolutions which wcre offered subSti-
tnte for those adopted by" a large aud respectable
portion ofthe citiz ms of Lynchburs on the 18th
+ INST
Believing as do, that proper understanding
Of the term reignty, applied 10 State and
! Federal Governments, Is absolutely essential, IN
order 10 arrive at IA correct solution oi the n
aud lmpnrsn, questions which discussed nj
tina, needing, beg leave, through ynuf columns. 10
offer few remarks III reply to the arguments Of
A Republican,"
sheil, however, first premise that eaonotpr
ceive the force Of the Objection which Rrbpub-
lean makes To the team agent as applied TO
our Federal Government. | cannot indeed, see
why any republican should object The application
of that term 10 any of the governments that exist
IN this vast republic ACCUSTOMED rs | have Ill
] ways been, % ,oek upon all Of oar governments
| and all OF our pubic tnnctlonarics, is mere "
gents" vested by thr people with powers TO do ior
them such things, as they, IN their primary e45a
ties, could nal do for them Gives.
Nor can |, IN The second plare see why A Re-
publican should Object 10 the substitute, as being
mctanhy scal. lIts objection be valid, IL n one
equally applicable to most Of the arguments |
have yet heard advanced, to sustain the truths for
which the substitute contends. Il is ene equally
applicable 10 the great trths proclaimed in thu i'm
morta Declaration Of American Independence, and
IN tEtt sacred proclamation OF distractions the
Virginia Bill Of Rights--one equally applicable
10 the erca, principles which rasts that splendid
system o! Political Philosophy, which Is enbodic1
,I t,saI,r iu hut pIp
turc ofou Government
Let rs NOW p,ceeoI 10 examine the objectionable
resolution and sec # it asserts any proposition that
may no. be fully sustained by reason and argri-
.mmt And IN order that we may fully understand
It, let us quote il entire IL is IN these words
q Resalecd, hat IN asseniirg to the constitution a
loresaid, 10 State absolutely granted Away us SOY
ercerty, or aly part thereof, because sovereignty
is one absolute entire, indiyiSihe thlng, capab
Of cxs,cn..c only by being entire and lndieisibr-
although Ia, existence my be known, feltand exer
escd in variety Of iorn.s and Wa5s-'at that
each state by the ratification On the constitution a
toresalG, On III uir agreed nth each and every :"
Their State, who mig 1T become parry thereto 'hH'
would iOtbcar L, do any act OF soyer,- .Hy either
" legislation or OF harwse in relation - Ill such
ST. ! cts d by the constitution upread, II VS. a.
,rce i for the mutual benefit of all should b. iiais
tarr1d to the eScusiye action Of the Federal 10y
ernlue and that as to all other matters and thn%'
exclusive jurisdiction Over which had not been =
Transferred, cacn State should be at liberty TO DO all
acts o sovereignty at their pleasure, us fully tbs they
lighs nave done, had the constitution never been
made
The Substance Of the foregoing resolution, whom
anaV1e4, is that spycre gnty Is ndlyislble q uhn-
cna,.e & tiatihc States, in forming the federal com
pact IND not { could not put with the whole Or any
part of IT, Lut that they placed restraint upon them
sslve. as 10 Lte exercise OF certain high powers Of
sovereignty, winch, for the good Of they entfus
ted TO their common agent toe Federal Govcin-
ment A lroIsr definition OF sovereignty, as ap-
piled 20 our state ami Federal Governments, and
sy II examination of the history of their formation
will, we think, liy sustain the truths here asser
ted
And here it is TO he remarked, that Our govern
ment . one for winch history affords no exact pa
rulie. though IL many other governments may be
found some feat irea bearing strong resemblance
10 IT, lie therefore who draws his IDEAS OF sover-
e,enty, or oftho evidences OF sovereignty, from
ber goscrnnen. and app,t,s ihan TO mr. &'N
saon a.ris. ctl,iaslon5 rccfl :. varleac. both
wth It's the1rY =, practice. t. tdaa ,iml ere
sovereignty ri STATE resides IA tie ltpiic uuta'ri-
esun eats OF CHS coGuuy Here. IN governments
and public iunetouarses can lay no clam to paap'
-" 5Ire a4r.ao." Their powers arr expressly Inn
tied 10 tao Grants und or which they caim, whilst
the ms oftae people, who m ID su h grants, arr
inherent, self existent and eternal
In the essay of Judge Tucker, on the nature Of
our government, appended 10 Biackstone's Com
mcntarIes viii be found u definition q. sovereign
". is apptied TO our governments, Inch We thmA
, IS fully sustained by thcif history and theory
i" The power which every independent Stat o.
Nation possesses IN relation To lis n~n imm dlai,
concerns, is unlimited and nniinltablr 50 long a.
the Stnle or Mutton retains IT'S independence, thci'
being 10 poser ON EARTH whist thai remains
which con control or direct the operations OF vii
% !hc Stale n thoSa respects. This unltnnifI
power, IS ,nd supreme irresistible, absolute, an
cantro.la5it - aotity, which, by political writers
In general Is tennmaatcd the Mreretgntg; and
which Is. by fn1s OF ta,m supposed to be vested IN
he government or administrative authority 9th
STATE bat " iel, we contend, resides only III tn
aro;,,::.s iul. rent IN them and untenabe IRON
tiiaJn.
NoR. what are We to conclude from this, hu'
dat the sovereignty ultimately resides with III"
ecoute tha; taey have not absolutely Granted Il
! way tdeir Sovereignty OF any portion thereof -
| hu, ihat shsY l,vr entrusted to The Federal Gov
crnmcnt only The exercise Of some of lis powers
ana olu.lme3 AL N wh.. docs this Far
from the ilad advanced by the sahsttata, whch
admits the coaf4eatial hanJer ofccftain po#ers
ofsovercigrty, whilst it denies the absolute grant
ofthc sovereignty It's lf|
We VIII now proceed sho" that the traasf !
or cnhpef,pe of tins exercise of powers docs "
no means mpair The srv-tolsniy OF the STATE
that tae States might have entrusted 10 the Fejet
al Goyernmcn, much higher powers than any
claimed by the friends of the most latl'udlnons
construction Of the constitution and sull have
remained sovereign md perfect States Vat
tel, in speaking Of States forming a Federal