Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-01-06

tina Constitution through is Non' oh'i.
Inv lie separate act, each for iseIi, and
only bound iu consequence OF It's adop
ZION. without reference to the adoption .
any other State. Tho only point IN viii i
tbey can be distinguished, IS The mutua
compact, 10 which each State stipulated
with the other to adopt the Constitution
Thus regarded, the Federal Constitution Is
in fact the Constitution of each State. Ii
is in fact the Constitution an Govern.
ment of the whole, because II the Consti.
ton and Government Of each part, and moi
the Constitution and Government OF the
parts, because it ls Of the whole. The
system commences with the parts, and
ends with the whole. The parts are the
units, and the whole the multiple, instead
OF the whole beiug unit and the parts the
fractions. Thus viewed, each State has
two distinct Constitutions and Govern
mants--a separate Constitution and Gov
eminent instituted 10 regulate the object
in which each State has peculiar inter
est; and general one, to regulate the IN
terest Is common TO all, and binding by a
common compact the whole into ono COM
munity, in which the separate and nde-
pendent existence of each State as a So
vereign community is preserved, instead
of being fused into a common mass.
The conclusion from these facts are,
LIST: That the connection between the in
diyiduel members of tho State and the
Federal Government arise out of the fact,
that the State, in convention, has assent cd
TO the connection. ID: That the same
authority that created that connection is
competent to dissolve it. Sd: Th I the
concurrence of the several States as sep.
arate and distinct communities in the for
nation OF tho Constitntion-th recogni-
ton by it that they constitute the interests
on which the Government is 10 act--and
the ultimate responsibility of the Govern
ment to the States, are the distinguishing
features that mark our institutions, and
which are essential to their existence.
Mr. Calhou has thus presented, IN
clear and lucid manner, his opinions OF
the origin and structure of our Govern
ment. His whole theory is here exhibit
ed BY comparing his opinions with
those of other statesmen, we shalt be able
to test their accuracy. Mr.. Adams de-
MES the fact of The existence OF the States
at any time us separate and Independent
communities. He insists that the United
States always existed as a nation, and
that The people at all times formed one
people. Ia this, he sacrifices the truth OF
history to attain support Tor his theory.
Mr.. Webster and the author OF the proc
lamatlon insisted that the Constitution oil
the United States changed the 'elaIions Of
the Safes and, fusel the people of the dill
icrent States into one people and the
States into single nation. This view
dlsregards the lcg,l effect and import OF
the different acts performed hy the PEG.
pie, and Gains tor the Government a
power that its trainers repeatedly and de-
ciSively refuse! TO accord to it---and as,
serts for tho Constitution q principle that
ITS authors repeatedly rejected They
would not listen 10 the notion OF creating
a national instead Of !otcratiyo Govern
ment.
Mr. Rives, and the Virginia school of
politicians, OF whom no was The exponent
IN 1888, admitted Mr.. Cahoun's facts,
but denied his conclusions. They denied
MIR. Wcbster's facts, and a mitted his con-
illusions. Their faith was as near conso-
IiGaton as Puseyism is to papistry. Their
creed was destitute of all life and energy.
1t admitted the Force bill aud upheld the
Protest and expunging resolution.
A large portion of the Union part, in
the South and Southwest admitted all Nj
CaIhoun's facts and interpretations, but
confined the power of the States to spe
ci6c remedy--the right to repeal the al
of ratification of The Federal Constitution.
Mr.. Calhoun asserted for the State the
fright to Judge of the mode and measure
Of redress"
We do not propose TO discuss these
questions. Our object iu stating them is
to answer that poor, pitiful, paltry system
Of warfare that characterizes some of Mr..
Calhoun's opponents, who would employ
an argument derived from prejudice,
wheu they can neither give q reason for
their belief in their own, mr. unbelief to-
words his principles. The doctrines of
the States Rights school have become
and are each day growing Importance
The time was when men neither sought
nor required 10 know the limits that mark |
ed the powers of the respective Govern,
ments. The action Of both was for the !
most part equal and just, leading to the
development Of the resources of the |
country. The action of the Federal Coy
ernmen has displayed, for few years,
past, no Thing but vacillation and imbecili,
~ on some of lheimportant subjects COM
mitted to it. The system of high, and