Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-01-06
From the Alabama Tribune.
MIR. CALHOUN.

In regarding our institutions we arc
struck, on the first view, with the number
and completely of the parts; with the d.
vision, classification, and organization
which pervade every part of the system
1t is, in fact, a sysem Of Governments; and
these, IN turn, are system of Depart.
ments-a system in viii h Government
bears the same relation 10 Government.
IN reference to the whole, as departments
do to departments, in reference to each
Government. AS. each Government is
made up of legislative, executive, and jn.
dlcial departments, organized into one, 50
the system is nmde up Of Federal Cav.
eminent and State Governments, in like
manner organized into one system 3d.
too, MS the power which constitute there
spectivc Governments arc divided andM-
ganized into departments, in like manner,
III the formation of the Governments, their
powers are classed into two distinct div.
sions-the one Containing powers Oca!
and peculiar in their character, which the
Interests of the State require TO be exer'
cised by each State through a separate
Government; the other conalning those
which are more general and compreheo'
sive, and which can be best exercised ln|
some uniform mode through a common
Government. The latter are known as
the delegated powers, and are exercised
through this, the common Government OF
the several States. This division OF pow
er into two parts, with distinct and lnde'
pendent Governments, regularly organ
lied into departments, legislative, execn
tive, and judicial, to carry their respec
tive parts into effect, constitutes the grea.
striking, and peculiar character Of
system, and is without example in ancient
or modern times; and may be regarded as
the fundamental distribution of our power
under the system. and as constituting is
great conservative principe.
If we extend our eyes beyond, We sha
find another striking division between the
power oflhe people and that OF the Gov.
srnment-between the inherent, print
i've, creative power which resides excu.
'ively in the people, and from which all
authority is derived-and the deIeglted
,ewer Of trust conferred upon the Gov
'rnment to effect the object of their crea,
ion If we look still beyond, we shdI
ind another aud most important division
instead of being united in onS
General community, are divided INTO wen'
y-six States, each forming distIncts s"
ereign community, and in which sepSa'
ately, the whole power OF the system W
imately resides. If we examine how tAl'
Ultimate power is called into action "o
hall find that lis only organ is a primary
ssemblage of the people, known unC0L
he name Of q convention, through "9l s,
heir sovereign will is announced, anu "
which Governments are formed and u.
anized. IL wa trace historically Inc %
rtion of this power in the formation
he Governments constituting our sys's.'
1e shall find that originally on the sePaIs
on of the thirteen colonies from ~
rown of Great Britain, each State TOT U
elf. through its Convention, formed sep
ate Constitutions and Governments anJ
hat these Governments, in turn, fof""s
league or Confederacy, for the plrpI,"
f exercising those powers, IN the reg|n
on Of which the, States had common y
,rest. But this Oonfederacy, proving ~
forsiis object, was suPsrse~o".
y the present Constitution, when e'
ally changed the character OF Inc y
EN-. .dou.
If we compare the mode Of the uD ne
on of this Constitution with that o n.
ioption Of original Contributions III