The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1849-06-22

DIVINE Providence, OF their subsequent pros
periiy The second section Of the first article
declares that representation ard direct taves
shall be apporioned according to numbers. to
he determined by aiding to the number of white
persons, three 'iiihs of all other persons inclu-
ding slaves. Slaves, then, constitute basis Of
representation, not confined IN is application to
any particular portion of the union, hut us q
general rule Can Congress alter or abolish
that basis. or limit it, operation To the old
States We think not Slaves wcre regarded
IN double aspee.--as persons and ~ property.
We ask to b" referred TO the clause of the Con-
siitnton which giyes Congress any control over
the property held by the citizens of the = ates.
In the States where SILVER exists, We suppose
that no ono. with ordinary understanding, who
knows anything Of the structure Of the Federal
Government, whose mind is unohsnurcd by tn.
pollulng clouds Of prejudice and bgotry can
believe for moment that Congress has ANY
power over any description Of property ",
may surely take this position fer granted. But
if any should be so rash Is to doubt il, q glance
nj the previous condition Of the States, aud the
purposes and objects Of the Constitution must
satisfy every candid mind. Each State was a
separate sovereignty, whose government Was or
gained for the protection Of life, liberty, md
property and havinga- every sovereignty must,
the exclusive protection Of those important
subjects. BY the Constitution. no powers were
given away except such rs might be necc ,~1f
{" give Us u national character and a national
existence, IN our intercourse with foreign ma
ions and such As might serve to bind us iogeih-
CT a, Il family Of republics. The States dad
no, surrender their control over persons and
property within their limits that would have
destroy ed their identity and all power not del.
egated by the Constitution is reserved TO tie
States. The Constitution Of The niicd State
does not create n Government with sovereign
power and property is suhlcc, alone TO the con
troll OF Government having such power.
Such control Is an important attribute OF SOW
eregnty. indeed, the protection Of property is
the strongest hgament 81 Government. The
Government created by the Constitution is lin
tied II must look TO the Constitution alone as
the charter Of rs power aid all ~ action must
be confined within the limit there prescribed,
Then no power of interference with property
within the States is to be found. THs was
not one of the evils of the articles of cnDcd-
Grafton which gave rise to the formation of the
Constitution.
Bu, 1t has been commended and doubtless " II
be urged again, that although tins BE- true as re-
CARDS the State, s., II Congress has unlimited
power 10 legisae for the territories. We shall
not now contruvert the claim of power IT Is
no part of our present purpose Bat, suppose
II be possessed, the question Is how may it be
exercised We answer 1t mus: be IN strict
,un-er,ience to the principles Of the Cnon,ii;u-
ton. Congress canuoi, hy any legislation, de.
feat, qualify, enlarge. ar Slbvert, one principle
contained IN TINT iu-tr.fusrf b., NJ, tb,v ltfr
cardinal rnh'iPles IA ohr 'm"n' Ihey con-
statute the beng or essence "i 'vagrrss, ~ al
organized body, and iult Is oihcial power
The principles OF governments embraced IN The
Constitution Pet'ade the whole aion; they
arr UNIVERSAL tNeri man IN every Sia'c has a
common interest N having Them imohlnlll Oh
served The ierr'or'r' arr common property
subject 10 he occupied by ihe Pc"plc i'.n .t!
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