Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-03-23


they could not have granted not being
possessed By themselves. In other words
there are certain rights possessed by
each individual American citizen, which
ia his compact with the others he has
never surrendered. Some Of them in
deed, he is unable to surrender, being
in the language Of our system unaIiena-
be The boosted privilege Of Roman
citizen was to him a shield only against a
petty provincial ruler, whilst the proud de-
mocrat Of Athens could console himself
under sentence of death, for a supposed
violation of the national faith, which no
one understood, and which at times was
the subiebt or mockery Of all, or the ban
ishment from his home, his family, and his
country, with or without an alleged cause;
that it was the act, not Of single tyrant
or hated arislocracy, bat Of his assembled
countrymcn. Far different is the power
Of our sovereignty. 1t can interfere with
no mans faith, prescribe forms OF worship
for no ones observance, innlct no punish
ment, but after we'll ascertained guilt, the
result of investigation under rules pre-
scribcd by the Constitution itself. These
precious privileges, and those scarcely less
important, of giving expression to his
thoughts and opinions, either by wrItlngor
speaking, unrcstrained bat by the liability
for injury to others, and that OF full par
ticipaticn in all the advantages which flow
from the Government the acllnoWled pro-
pcrtY Of all, the American citizen derives
from no charter granted by his fellow man.
He claims them, because he is himself a
man, fashioned by The Same Almighty
hand as the rest Of his species, and ent-
tied TO full share Of the blessings with
which he has endowed them. Notwith-
standing the limited sovereignty possessed
by the people of the United States, and the
restricted grant Of power to the Govern
ment which they have adopted, enough has
been given to accomplish the objects for
which it was created. 1t has been found
powerful in war, and hitherto. justice has
been administered, an intimate union Ell
Icctcd, domestic tranquility preserved, and
personal liberty secured TO the cItlzcn.-
AS was 10 be expected however, from the
dcfcct Of language, and the necessarily
sCntcntious manner in which the ConstItu-
ton is written, disputes have arisen as 10
the amount Of power which it has actually
granted, or was intended TO grant.
This is more particularly the case in re-
la,i0n to that part Of the instrument which
treats OF the legislative branch. And not
only as regards the exercise Of powers
claimed under a general clause, giving
that body the authority to pass all laws ne
cessary TO carry into effect the specified
powers, but in relation to the latter, also.
Ii is, however, conSo'atory to reflect that
most OF the instances Of alleged departure
from the letter or spirit of the Constitution
have ultimately received the sanction OF a
majority Of the people. And the fact that
many of our statesmen, most disting lishcd
for talent and and patriotism, have been,
at one time or other OF their political ca
rcer. on both sides Of each Of the most
warmly disputed questions, forces upon US
the inference that the errors, If errors they
were, are attributable 10 the intrinsic dilli-
Guilty, in many instances, of asccrtaInIng
the intentions OF the trainers Of the constl-
tuition, rather than the influence Of any ST.
mister or unpatriotc motive. But the great
danger to our institutions does not appear
10 NE 10 be in a usurpation by the govern
mcnt Of power not granted by the people.
but by the accumulation, in one of the de-
partmcn,s, OF that which was assigned TO
others Limited as are the powers which
have been granted to constitute despo-
tism. il concentrated in one OF the depart
ments. This danger is greatly heightened
as il has been always observable that men
are less jealous cr cncrooch hcnts of one
department upon another than npon their
own reserved rights. When the Consti-
tuition Of the Uni,ed States first came from
the hands Of the Convention which formed
it, many Of the sternest Republicans ott1e
dav were alarmed At the extent OF the po-
wcr which had bson granted to the federal
government. and more particularly of thar
portion which had been assigned to the eX-
ccu:ive branch. There were in It features
which appeared not to be in harmony with
their ideas Of Il simple representative De-
mocracy or Republic. And knowing the
tendency Of power to Increase itself, par
ticularly when exercised by single indi-
yiJual. predictions were made that, at no
very remote period, the government would
terminate in virtual monarchy. Il would
not Secomc me to say that the fears OF these
patriots have been already realized. But
as sincerely believe that the tendency OF
! measures, and Of mems opinions, for some
| wears past, has been in that direction. it is
| conceive, strictly proper that should
take this occasion 10 repeat the nssuran-
ccs | have heretofore given, of my deter
minaton 70 arrest the progress of thatt ten
dcncv, it it really exists, and restore the
government to its pristine health and vi
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