The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-21

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raj Relations.
Ma PREslDENr: Inc Jo,,l committee 10 whom
was referred that part of the Governors message
rslating TO federal and policy beg leave to re-
port that they have examined the federal compact
by virtue Of which the Federal Government re-
ceiyed its existence from the several States in
I their sovereign capacity. They find the Federal
Government righlfulIy possessed Of many powers
properly granted and plainly specified In ths' Mag
no Chsris from which il receives its vitality. In
the same chart, also 10 be found provisions
limiting the prerogatves Of the Federal Govern
ment to the grants specially made, and reserying
all the mass Of rights to tho original creators OF
the Constitution.
IL was seriously unprecedented that the restrc-
tions placed upon the joint commission, or Fede-
raj Government, would render it futile or impo-
tent; that it would gradually decay from neglect
and indifference until, like the old considerations,
i would lose caste, name and place; that the
States by virtue Of the large amount of powers
retained, would Ear outs,ride the joint or federal
commission, would win the smiles Of courtiers,
be wooed and fatered by wealth and power,
whilst the Federal Government would be neglected
and Forgotten. Jealousy, however. that admirable
body guard Of freedom, foresaw, at an early hour,
in the federal compact, the germ Of giant power
and overshadowing influence She pointed to GER
tain general clauses in the grand chart, to the
army, the navy, the vast pecuniary resources,
then all in embryo, as insignia Of royalty, and
proclaimed her fears in sounds which still linger
in our ears. rs
In accordance with these predictions, we see
that the Federal Government has increased in
strength, and grown with each successive year.
until it has absorbed all power, and clothed itself
in colors more glowing than had ever been painted
in fancy or dream.
Thus the Federal Government commencing its
career joint commission on the part of thir-
teen sovereignties has extended its influence step
by slep until its feet is placed upon the necks OF
the PROSTATE States, besrding the continent, and
rearing front more imposing than imperial Rome,
or that mistress Of the seas, upon whose extend
ed domain the sun never sets.
Your committee, in casting about them for the
reasons which have operated this result, find that
they are numerous and active.
The casual observer will see that weaIih and
power are the chief agents which have stripped
the States Of decent share Of public respect,
and clothed the joint commission with imperial
purple.
In providing for the /" common defence and
general welfare the federal commission has
marshalled armies, constructed navies, and levied
revenues, which have attracted the attention and
combined the influence Of 'snecessity. ""avarice"
and ambition, in such admirable proportions
to make herself the chief object of regard, and
constitute herself the hope and fear Of every cit
zen, the awe Of kingdoms, and the admiration OF
the world.
The States bereft Of power, down trodden and
neglected, wrung, by direct taxation. from the re-
luctant citizen, meagre means to replenish penny
less treasures, and in moody silence and mean-
ch0ly gloom do the drudgeries OF Government,
whilst the joint commission lines oceans with
revenue cutters, and studs the Continent with.
custom-h houses, and disburses liberal largess to
falering millions, and rejoices in the regalia in
creasing strength and informal sway.
All these results have grown out Of the exercise
Of powers more or less clearly granted by the
Constitution to the Federal Government.
From the time the Federal Government went into
operation, much difference of opinion has prevail
ed as TO the extent of power conferred by the
Federal compact upon the Government. Some
have industriousIy taught the doctrine that lib.
eral construction should be given to every article,
so as to clothe the Federal Government with am
pie power TO perp.tuate its own existence and meet
any and all emergencies. This opinion has been
favored by some general clauses in thee Constitution,
which were engrated thereon the better to enable
the Federal Government to execute it's specified
powers, but with intention OF comforting origi-
nal jurisdiction of matter not specified in the emu
merated powers. Yet the friends of broad con
struction have viewed these general clauses as in
dependent articles, intended to enlarge the field OF
Federal legislation and confer general jurisdiction
upon the Federal Government. And much has
this opinion gained ground OF late years, that
many persons are to be found, in all parts of the
country, who being but slightly read in interna,
tionnl and constitutional law, IS applied to the
Union of these States, boldly assume.the ground
that these States constitute in any and all respects
but one Nation: and thai the Federal Goyernmen
ia. in anv and ali respects. National Govern
ment. possessed of plenary power; and that its ac
ton is TO be measured onfy by its own "discre-
ton" and its DEGREES obeyed by citizens and
States alike without murmur or remedy. save by
revolution alone Others, more wise and patriotic
have commended, with great zeal and energy
against this obnoxious doctrine, and pointed to
the Constitution, and contemporaneous docu
ments, the exposition Of their founders and have
clearly illustrated the doctrine that the Federal
Government was one of limited powers only; that
ali powers not enumerated in the Constitution, or
necessary to carry into effect powers specially
enumerated, were reserved respectively to the
States and TO the people; that the general clauses
were designed only to be subsidiary to the special
grnnts. and conferred no power save TO e6rectuate
the enumerated grants ofpower; that this corstruc
ton alone could be tolerated; the former would
concentrate all power in the Federal Government
destroy the sovereignty OF the States and All the