Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1833-02-14
LYNCHBURG Va THURsD Az, FEBRUARY II. 1913

'a' "o 'tats, anu OF course they can exercise no
control over them. When We examine into the
causes which led tothe adoption of tho constitution,
II VIII be seen that the delegated powers are such
as the States could not safely exercise either II
regarded their security against foreign aggression
or internal discussions and divisions aud as the
states could not safely exercise them ii is unfea.
sohab'c to suppose that they reserved such rights,
N relation 10 heir exercise, AS eticcualy 10 COIL
tiol them, with as much detrlment tn their pence
and security aS ltthcy had not delegated them.
ihls reservation was clearly intended 10 draw the
line between the powers of the federal and state
governments, aud leave each to operate unmoes.
ted IN It's proper sphcrc-rhe right OF secession,
then, Is not a reserved constitutional right
.Sco'M. Ii is alleged that the constitution is n
compact between sovereign and independent states,
and that each has the right To break II at pleasure
l bar the constitution Is a compact cannot be qucs-
toned and that the states were sovereign and M
dependent when they entered into H. cannot be
doubted -'ut tbaI II altogether the work OF the
states, as sovereign and independent States, Is da
med he very ta that the states endcrtd tsese
powers Is proof positive that they pes ,essrd them
aud II Is equally cieu, thai, in the compact, they
surrendered them, and have no farther control over
them II the state had stipulated for the power Of
exercising AIRY of these powers, in any form OF Of
controlling them ln any way, then their sovereign
ty would have been reserved but they did no, slip
oiate any such power ppaei Is not so light
and unImportant an undertaking as 10 be- violated
with IMMUNITY. Ii always has parties and con
sdefation. Each party Is deeply interested III lis
performance FOR the purpose of establishing
government securing the perpetual aHioH of the
states the powers of The constitution were surren-
defed 10 the general government The consideration
To the States Tor tins surrender was, saioy against
lofet@H d29te@toR, and security AGAINST l,.'e3.ai
assertions. 10 enable the general government
10 perform this stipulation, IT wns necessary %
enthe II with ample powers to 90 the one aud tn
Other Tor without the pewerthc attempt would b.
"a lmpolent and unayalllng as the attempt ii
AerNcs 10 control the storm by chanmg the wascs
OF the SEA The conederacy had been found
much stronger iet RAJ thaL pe1le /; heeGuso ~ WI
Il was aided by tho necessities mi fats of tn
suites but It's mchcIency II time Of peucc, and tn
tendcncy TO Degenerate int anarchy wetc the pIi
mary causes OF seeking 10 arm the eenerd govern
mint with these powers.-'Io sustain me IN thu
apnion refer the reader IA the Il BARS in the ae.
efai state conventions. lfthe states hrve the DOW
ef eontcnded fot tbs power - as much Ton s0oas
ion the power OF the iedala government, SIS WI
cenhnc us waves The argument H2At ave
been asalln8, If he states had stipulated for any
future action in relation 10 tie powers of the const
luton but having constituted complete COVERT
ment they tfansflrad lhe,e powers IL the exclusive
acton OF that government, rescrylng no more at.
ihority to control them tln if hey never possessed
t1em. Tho surrender was ab,oluta and uucoud,ton.
al They l,t II to tn general government, TO curry
mil Il
secession wa deemed sollsc essaly 10 tho eaf.iY
aud independence Of the states, 1t IS singular II WIS
not reserved ia terms IN tn constitution. aud that II
was 50 completely ove oahe a eongac, cannot
he dissolved II the pleasure o.. rhcr party. without
mourning Just responsibility for In cons .ouenres
which may result TO the palties injured By tha DIS
solution, for the extent Of tn. lainV sustained.
A mons individuals. damages is thetenedy among
sovereign aud independent nations conceive mcens
ar resored 10, III order 10 compel an adhclpree 10
It's terms.
II Ibis power necessarily results f,ofn the me
that the states are arles 10 the compact IN their
sovereign capacity, what limitation Is ,hce 10 the
exercise OF tins power by the states 7 No one has
yet asserted thai the States may arbitrarily and ca
preiously exercise this power; but the argument
results IA the same thing for, If the power exists
"Po' '' pihiS'P'c coutshueu io'f II - power
winch may be eaficiously ard arbitrarily cXcrcs
ed lte alleged ground IS that the states have |
the etciuare rish 10 judy Of lniractlons Of the
constitution, and may secede IN consequence |
thereof, as they nay deem expodisnt. A.
coFd,ng to the argument Ih1 state is the sole |
Judge Of nfraetons, aud the state being SOY
trelsn and independent It's judgment IS final |
There can be no appeal-beclusa an ap.
IN ll ri
patble with sovereignty. The state, recording 10
this prnacpe, By declaring law unconstitutional, |
may prevent the operation Gf any of I powers OIL
the general government 10y secession. Suppose a
state were to declare e0astiinoHGt law p1leCastR
l'9na', what redress would there be, according TO
the principle upon which the tlgh' Of secession is
-. 10 IA,