Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-09-13

nerce, no common nationality. man coul1 call
himself citizen Of New York. citizen of Mas
sachusetts, OF Georgia; but no man, with ony en-
phasis, and certainly not in any particular which
makes us proud so TO call ourselves could call HIM
SELF anywhere on the face Of the EARTH an .41eri-
can citizen because there was no unity no denti-
ty, no specific idea attached to that term, now so
glorious throughout the habitable world.
The war left the States embarrassed, with dis
orded trade, with every variety of Custom House
regulation involved in debt The country called
for general Congress- The debts Of the Revolu-
ton pressed heavily upon it, All the States were
indebted--all were overwhelmed with deprecia-
ted paper money; there no unity Of action, no
general concert, in short,no perfect union" among
the States Especially this variety existed in the
councils which regulated the intercourse which each
State had with its neighbors and foreign States-
1t constituted not only variety but contradictions
and state Of things in this respect existed, which
Mr.. Madison, with his clear perception, and patri
otto regard for the best interests of the American
people, did not hesitate to call "wonderfu anar-
chy of trade"
This was the state Of things in which the forna-
ton of the Constitution of the United States enter
ed into the Conception and purposes Of the wise
men of those days. They entertained that con-
ception, they sought TO accomplish that purpose
And it no easy purpose to accomplish, with
thirteen independent States, each jealous Of its lib
critics and its rights, and sufficiently prone to think
highly of its local advantages and powers. Yet
the wisdom and patriotism, general devotion TO
the interests of the whole, felt every where perva
ding all classes, in the end accomplished that OBJ
lect of almost supreme Importance.
Now, to look a little more closely into the mat
ter, to inquire something more definitely into the
objects for which the constitution was formed. It
was for certain purposes, to make us one peop'e,-
surely not for all purposes; and the extent to
which, for that movement, it was desired and de-
A. 81, all h..
one people, and the Government over these people
should be one Government, is expressed in docu-
ment of the most authentic character--I mean the
address Of the members OF the Convention which
formed the Constitution, to the States and to the
people. That address, issued in the name Of the
Convention, and having the great authority of
Washington subscribed to it, says:
"The friends of our country have long seen and
desired, that the power of making war, peace and
treaties: that of levyng money and regulating
! Commerce, and the corresponding executive and
judicial authorities, should be fully and efiectualy
vested in the general government of the Union"
We see here, then, that the object of this Con-
vention was to make the people of the United
States one people, and to place them under one
government, in regard to every thing respecting
their relation to foreign states, and the aspect in
which the nations Of the world were to regard
them. 1t was not an amagamatlon of the whole
people under one government-not all eXtlngush-
ment of the State ereignties. That would have
been an intmersion not Union Of existing States.
There pressing essitythereiore, for ma
king the local institutions of the several States
approach each other in any closer affinity, gov
ernments existed each within its own territory for
all purposes of territorial supremacy and govern
ment for all State purposes, it was matter what
variety the States should have in these respects
and it was left TO their own discretion. And it is
the very beauty of our system, as conceive, that
A. Al.
distinct that local legislation is left to the local
authorities, and the general legislation is given to
the general government.
This take to be the true idea and definition OF
those purposes for which the general government
under the present constitution, was organized and
established Indeed gentlemen a most authorita-
tive q perfectly authoritative declaration of the
objects of the people of the United States in form.
ing constitution, we have in that instrument it.
SELF on its very face, and there the words sandar
everlasting record Of the intentions and purposes
of those who framed it. 1t says it is established
sin order to form more perfect union" They,the
people, established the Constitution of the United
States, for their "more perfect union"-to estab
fish Justice ensure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defence, and promote the general
welfare" and finally, "to secure the blessings O
liberty" to them and their posterity. Here at thu
head Of all these objects, stands in bold and prom
inenl relief the great, noble object, TO- form NOR
perfect union among The people Of The United States
And will take the liberty to refer to anothe
passage in the same address of the Convention Il
the people, when the Constitution was sent abroa
for ratifcation
g In all our deliberations on this subject we KEEP
steadily in our view that which appeared to us, tn
greatest interest of every true American-the con
soiidaion -four Union, in which is involved GU
prosperity felicity, safety, perhaps our national ex
lstence."
You will please to observe that this language
not applied to the powers OF Government, 1t doe
net say that they aim at consolidation in the Gen
eral Government, nor of all the powers of Govern
ment it does not at all usurp on the local authori
ties of the States, nor interfere with anything tina
belongs to the local legislation and administration
but the consolidation Of the Union, for the just pun
pose of a Union, OF strong Unlon-ior those pur
poses for which the Union itself ought TO exist
have said, and beg leave to repeat, because
lies at the foundation OF all just conceptions OF tn
Constitution OF the country, that the Union attalne
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