The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-03-14

oic VI WY S"teo anu limlteu powers
and it is by a strict adherence to the
, clearly granted powers, and by alb
staining from the exercise of doubt
full or unauthorized implied powers.
that we have the only sure guaranty
against the recurrence of those un.
fortunate collisions between the fed
eral and state authorities, which
have occasionally so much disturbed
the harmony of our system, and even
threatened the perpetuity of our glo-
rious Union.
"Io the states respectively, or to
the people," have been reserved
'.the powers not delegated to the U.
). by the constitution, nor prohibit
ed by it to the states" Each state
is a complete sovereignty within the
sphere OF its reserved powers. The
government Of the Union, acting
within the sphere of its delegated
authority, is also complete sover-
eighty. While the general govern
ment should abstain from the exer-
else of authority not clearly delegat-
ed TO 1t, the states should be equal
~ careful that, in the maintenance
OF their rights, they do not overstcp
the limits of powers reserved to
them. One of the most distinguish
ed of my predecessors attached de-
served to Importance the "support of
the state governments in all their
rights, as the most competent admi-
ministration for our domestic con-
Germs, and the surest bulwark against
anti-republican tendencies ;" and to
the representation of the general 60
vernment in its whole constitutional
vigor, as the sheet-anchor of our
peace at home and safety abroad"
To the government of the United
States has been entrusted the exclu-
sive management Of our foreign af-
fairs. Beyond that, it yields few
general enumerated powers. 1t does
not force reform on the states. 1t
leaves individuals, over whom it
casts its protecting influence, entire
ly free to improve their own condi-
ton by the legitimate exercise of all
their physical and mental powers.
1t is common prote ctor of each and
all the states; of every man who
lives upon our soil, whether of native
or foreign birth; of every religious
sect in their worship of the Almigh-
ty according to the dictates of their
own conscience, of every shade of
opinion and the most free inquiry :;
of every trade, art or occupation,
consistent with the laws of the states.
And we rejoice in the general happi-
ness, prosperity, and advancement
of our country, which have been the
offspring of freedom and not of
power.
This most admirable and wisest
system well-regulated self-govern-
ment among men ever devised by
human minds, has been tested by its
successful operation for more than
half a century; and fpreserved from
the usurpations of the federal 60
vernment on the one hand, and the
exercise by the states of powers not
reserved to them on the other, will,
| fervently hope and believe, endure
for ages to come, and dispense the
blessings of civil and religious liber-
ty to distant generations. To effect
objects so dear to every patriot, l
shall devote myself with anxious So
licitude. 1t will be my desire to
guard against that most fruitful
source of every danger to the harmo-
NOUS action of our system, which
consists in substituting the mere dis
erection and caprice of the executive
or of majorities in the Legislative de-
partment of the government, for po-
wers which have been withheld from
the federal government by the con-
stitution. BY the theory of our GO
vernment majorities rule, but this
right is not an arbitrary or unlimited
one. 1t is a right to be exercised in
subordination to the constitution,
and in conformity to it. One great
object of the constitution was to re-
strain majorities from expressing mi
norities, or encroaching upon their
Just rights. Minorities have a right
to appeal to the constitution, as
shield against such oppression.
That the blessings of liberty which
our constitution secures may be en-
joyed alike by minorities and major
tiles, the executive has been wisely
invested with qualified veto upon
the acts of the legislature. 1t is