The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-03-13

threatened the perpetuity of our glorious
Union.
"To the States respectively, or TO the peo-
pie" have been reserved "lhe powers not
delegated to the United States by the Con-
stitution, nor prohibited by it TO the States."
Each Stale is a complete sovereignty within
the sphere Gifts reserved powers. The Gov
eminent of the Union, acting within the
sphere of IFS delegated authority, is also a
complete sovereignty. While the General
Government should abstain from the exer-
else of authority, not clearly delegated 10 it,
the States should be equally careful that, in
the maintenance of their rights, they do not
overslep the limits of powers reserved to
them. One of the most distinguished of my
predecessors attached deserved importance
TO 'the support OF the State governments in
all their rights as the most competent adj
ministration for our domestic conc ems, and
the surest bulwark against anti-republican
tendencies; and to the preservation of the
General Government in its whole constitu-
tional vigor, as the sheet anchor of our peace
at home, and safety abroad"
To the Government of the United States
has been intrusted the exclusive manage
ment of our foreign affairs. Beyond that, il
wields a few general enumerated powers. II
does not force reform on the States. 1t
leaves individuals, over whom it casts its
protecting influence, entirely free TO i'm
prove their " condition by the legitimate
exercise of all their mental and physical
powers. 1t is a common protector 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 wor-
ship of The Almighty according 10 the die
tates of their ow conscience; of every shade
of opinion and The most free inquiry: of ev-
cry art, trade, and occupations, consistent
with the laws of the States. @And we re-
joice in the general happiness, prosperity,
and advancement of our country, which have
been the offspring of freedom and not of
power.
This most admirable and wisest system of
well-regulated elfgovernment among men,
ever devised by human minds, has been tes.-
ed by its successful operation for more than
, half a century; and. if preserved from the
usurpations of the Federal Government on
the one hand, aud the exercise by the States
0 of powers not reserved to them on the other,
n will, | f~ervently hope and believe, endure for
II ages TO come, and dispense the blessings OF
{ civil and religious liberty 10 distant genera
tons. To effect objects SO dear 10 every
patriot, | shall devote myself with anxious So
licitude. 1t will be my desire to guard a
I: gainst that most fruitful source of danger 10
v the harmonious action of our system, which
consists in substituting the mere discretion
and caprice of the executive, or OF malorltle:
in the legislative department of the Govern
ment, for powers which have been withheld
from the Federal Government by the Con
, slitution. By the theory of our Government
majorities rule; but this right is not an arbi
trary or unlimited one. 1t is a right to be
. exercised in subordination TO the Constitu
ton, and in conformity to it. One great OBJ
ject of the Constitution was to restrain ma
%jorities from depressing minorities, or en-
croaching upon their just rights. Minuritie
have a right to appeal TO the Constitution a:
a shield against such oppression.
That the blessing of liberty which gu
Constitution secures may be enjoyed alike b.
minorities and majorities, the executive ha,
been wisely invested with a qualified vetc
Il upon the acts Of the legislature. 1t is a ne
Id gative power and is conservative in its cha
~racter. 1t arrests for the time hasty, incon
a. Siderate, or unconstitutional legislation; in
OF vites reconsid Grafton, and transfers question
u at issue between the legislative and Execu
tive departments 10 the tribunal Of the pee
pie. Like all other powers, it is subject It
~ be abused. When judiciously and properI
exercised, the Constitution itself may b
e. saved from infraction, and the rights of a
e preserved and protected.
The inestimable value of our Federal Ur
ion is felt and acknowledged by all. BY thi
o. system Of united and confederatcd State.
III our people are permitted, collectively and il
IS, diyidually TO seek their OWN happiness j
p, their own way; and the consequences hay
been most suspicious. Since the Union wa
u formed, the number of the States has il
ne creased from thirteen TO twenty-eight-tw
of these have taken their position as men
le bers of the c~oniederacy within the last weel
III, Our population has increased from three
OF twenty millions. New communities an
States are seeking protection under its egi
Ct and mullitudes from the Old World are 1ocI
u ing TO our shores 10 participate in its bles:
ne ings. Beneath its benign sway, peace an
us prosperity prevail. Freed from the burden
us and miseries of war, our trade and inte
Ise course have extended throughout the worl'
fm Mind no longer tasked in devising means
accomplish or resist schemes of ambition,
ny surpation, or conquest, is devoting itself
IN mans true interests, in developing his fact
Oh ties and powers, and the capacity of natu
so to minister TO his enjoyments. Genius is FRI
NY to announce IFS inventions and discoverie
sh' and the hand is free TO accomplish whatev
the head conceives, not incompatible wi
les tho rirbts &c n GALLON La;nr All J;st;ne.;o