Mississippi Democrat., 1845-10-22
CARRoLLToN. WEDNEsDAE


era in human progression, which even the
declaration of the 4th of July, l776, did
not surpass. The sublime results of its
adoption are within the memory and con.
sciousness of the living generation; and
they shall establish for US, without argu-
ment, the necessity as we'll as everlasting
fitness, of such a constitution; and can
anything be added to show more irresisti-
bly, the duty to conform to its letter and
spirit? Upon the government of this con-
federacy is devolved its exterior relations
and lnterconrse-to declare war-to make
peaee-to admi. new States into the Union
to raise national revenue; TO regulate
commerce among the States to decide as
well questions international as those aris-
ing between States and citizens of differ
ent States; and to control the army, navy,
and even militia. These and other grant
ed powers though vest, are necessary to
perfect and perpetual union; but as the
area of the confederacy is enlarged, the
number of States increased, and popula-
ton swelled, the compass and Importance
of national Legislation and action are mag
nlfied-and so, in that ratio, augments the
necessity of rigid Interpretation of the
conceded powers. This is the doctrine of
the Virginia resolutions Of 1898. All eX-
perience has shown their wisdom and in
creasing necessity; SO that we may say,
it is the doctrine of the entire democracy,
that no polcerS shall be ererted by the Ma
ti0nal Government but such as are clearly
conceded out of those reSerUed By the
States and by the People. This has be-
come prominent element in the American
cause. If the converse of this principle
OF construction should be allowed in prac-
tice; if by national legislation any mea-
sure may be passed on the pre!ext of ex-
pedlency, or because it may seem condu-
Give to the common defence or welfare,
whether it be within the conceded powers
or not; and if the national judiciary be
inclined TO sanction such an extravagant
course, it is plain that, within very few
years, we should have to look to the 90
vernment and not to the constitution for
the fundamental law; for in effect the go
vernment would be supreme, and the con-
Stltutlon no more than an act Of ordinary
legislation that is subject TO be enlarged
or restrained according to the caprice of
each Congress, or The mad or rapacious
schemes of a dominant faction This as
not TO be endured. Every act of the ma
tional government, which is not expressly
allowed to it, is of doubtful or questiona-
bic character, Is an usurpation that tends
to consolidation and the subversion of the
constitution and the States.
II such, then, be the only legitimate
and sufferable mode of Interpretation and
action under the compact of the States,
1t follows that the national government
has no authority to create corporation
of any sort-no East India company-no
bank. Congress may not abrogate the
special tender; and if it may regulate the
currency it must do this by legislation
that is direct, and that shall be ever SUBJ
iect TO any change, by successive enact
ment, which the exigencies of the great
commonwealth, upon experience, may de-
mand. Congress alone-not an incorpo-
rated company-may regulate the curren-
cy. 1t ought to have been sufficient from
the first that the constitution did not give
to it the power to create banking, or any
other corporation; and it would have been
fortunate indeed if the prohibition against
the issuing of bills of bills of credit by
the States had been regarded, in practice,
as substantial negation of any aud eve-
ry bank charter; but we have had two ma
tional banks. which the branches of the
federal government passed, approved and
sanctioned, By aUay Of enlargement Of The
! Constitution: and we nave had multitude
J of local corporations authorized to emit
} what The States were prohibited from emit
! ting, bills Of credit to supply a currency
/, These have been enormous abuses-ad
? monitary sacrifices TO expehency and con
? structiye power! The invention of a bank
| of emission and ejaculation was charts
; blanche to forgery, fraud and corrupt &C
cumulation, which Satan, since his fall
had not conceived, but which was invent
ed in Britain, as the most effectual plan tC
t vitiate, rob and enslave. the human race
t For season its evils were not apparent
and its course was irresistible. MIssissip
: pi, for time, with a rare phrenzy, knel
| at the shrines of the Molock; but she ant
the other States have had the intelligence,
, 20 discover the malign and blasting iniu
Lences Of such idolatry, and the recupera
tive energy to cast it away forever; an'
) although it may require generations to ef
] face its leprous contaminafions, the pail o
: oblivion is prepared for its temples. Bri
l tain has submitted to the monster too long
. With her bank to play into the hand of th'
: blood-stained East India company, and
$ protective tariff as collector, her peopl,
: have been reduced to slavery so pro
j found, that her fleeced and famishing mil