The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-03-17

CTdl Ol hlllellS COulQ console nlnlSclI ull
der sentence of death, for a supposed
violation of the national faith, which M
one understood, and which at times wa.
the subject of the mockery of all, or o
banishment from his home, his family, anc
his country, with or without an alledged
cause; that it was the act, not of a single
tyrant, or hated aristocracy, but of his as
sembled countrymen. Far different is
the power of our sovereignty. 1t can in.
terfere with no ones faith, prescribe forms
of worship for no ones observance, infict
no punishment but after we'll ascertained
guilt, the result of investigation under
rules prescribed BY the Constitution ITSELF
These precious privileges, and those
scarcely less important, Of giving express
sion to his thoughts and opinions, either by
writing or speaking, unrestrained but by
the liability for injury to others, and that
of full participation in all the advantages
which flow from the Government. the ac-
knowledged property 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 entitled to full share of the
blessings with which he has endowed
them. fa.
Notwithstanding the limited sovereign
ty possessed by the people of the United
States, and the restricted grant of power
to the Government whichthey have adopt
ed, enough has been given to accomplish
all the objects for which it was created.
1t has been found powerful in war, and
hitherto, justice has been administered, an
intimate union effected, domestic tranquiIi-
ty preserved, and personal liberty secured
to the citizen. As was to be expected,
however, from the defect Of language, and
the necessarily sententious manner in
which the Constitution is written, disputes
have arisen as to the amount of power
which it has actually granted, or was in
tended to grant. This is more particularly
the case in relation to that part of the in
strument which treats Of the legislative
branch. And not only as regards the ex-
crcisc of powers claimed under general
clause, giving that body the authority to
pass all laws necessary to carry into effect
the specified powers, but in relation to the
latter also. II is, however, consolatory to
reflect, that MOST of the instances of al
legged departure from the letter or spirit Of
the Constitution, have ultimately received
the sanction Of majority of the people.
And the fact, that many of our statesmen,
most distinguished for talent and patriot
ism, have been, at one time or other of
their political career, OH both sides of each
of the most warmly disputed questions,
forces upon us the inference that the errors,
il errors there were, are attributable to
the intrinsic difficulty, in many instances,
Of ascertaining the intentions of the fra
mers of the Constitution, rather than the
influence Of any sinister or unpatriotic
motive.
But the great danger to otfr institutions
docs not appear to me to be in usurpa-
ton, by the Government, of power not
granted by the people, but by the accumu-
lation, in one of the departments, of that
which was assigned to the others. Limit
ed as are the powers which have been
granted, still enough have been granted
to constitute despotism, if concentrated
in one of the departments. This danger
is greatly heightened, as it has been al
ways observable that men are less Jealous
of encroachments of one department up
on another, than upon their own reserved
rights.
When the Constitution Of the United
States first came from the hands Of the
Convention which formed it, many Of the
sternes republicans of the day were
alarmed at the extent of the power which
had been granted to the Federal Govern
ment, and more particularly of that por-
ton which had been assigned to the Exc
cutive branch. There were in it features
which appeared not to be in harmony with
their ideas of simple representative De-
mocracy, or Republic. And knowing the
tendency of power to increase itself, par
ticularly when exercised by a single iF.di-'
vidual, predictions were made that, at no
very remote period, the government would
terminate in virtual monarchy. 1t would
not become me to say that the fears of
these patriots have been already realized.
But, as sincerely believe, that the ten
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