The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-07

And the constituting and organizing Of judicial
U bunals for enforcing the laws u the State.
or course, each Stale has the right 10 alter or
abolish lis republican forms Of government, and 10
substitute other republican forms In place Of such al
have been abrogated; provided such changes do not
conirayene the federal constitution, which each
State has solemnly ratified or taken upon itself lis
prohibitions, BY accepting the terms OF It's admis-
sion as new State into the Union Any thing be-
yond this Is not peaceable-beyond, is revolution
only--or otherwise, the federal constlu ion Is
loose garment TO be put on and put Of al will and Is
all farce.
The only other right Of the States, not expressly
stated in giving the details Of these constitutions are
ISL to officer aud govern the militia, unless Congress
shall, as Il may, choose 10 annul The State militia
laws; and 3D. TO coope ale in amending the federal
constitution, ihreefourth OF the States asserting TO
give validity TO snch amendment
In taking survey of these collected alloments
Of power established by Vritea constitutions, the
chief glory Of American politics. we feel our bosoms
dilale with gratitude for The representative wisdom
which conceived and recommended, and with reye-
renee for the good sense Of the vrtuons people,
which ratified The whole 10 all It's well adapted,
consistent, beautiful and just proportions That
view OF the grand aggregate OF the beauties and
the exceences Of this Castle of Freedom, in which
she most delights consists 10 this, thai while IN
other favored countries, in which some goodIy de-
gree of civil and political liberty Is enjoyed, all
rights not expressly reserved are implicitly relin-
pushed as the Kings prerogrative," In this coun-
try, the powers not delegated, or necessarily and
dPPfoPiid ihCiueutdl arc liSnS retdiueu py the
people.
The durability Of this government, is exposed to
danger, on the one hand, from Stale jealousy Of
federal power, and, on the other, from contempt Of
State rights. Leading men have arisen, and will
no doubt hereafter starr up, who, believing that
more power has been, than should have been dele
gated to The general government contend that The
exercises Of such powers are usurpatons. Such
labor TO enlarge the mass Of rights reserved TO the
States. There have been and will be others, who
believe that The residuary Of rights left with
the States, is larger than il should have been Such
will labor TO show that usurpalions by the general
government and exercises Of power which should
be admitted by implication, and thus 10 lessen the
power plainly intended to be retained by the States
Hence the propriey on the part Of the public press,
OF making the people familiar with these constitu-
tuions which they should consult, as the best guide,
10 every contest.
Il were useless to atemp, by speculation to ascer-
tain whether he who would thus enlarge or he who
would thus lessen, the residuary mass Of power in
the States, is the more dangerous character. We
think the safest character Tor the representatives
trust, is he whose opinions have not fallen into
passion for federal power or for State rights; and
that such should be the men of our choice to con.
duct the destinies of our country.