Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15
Why they Differed.

Why they Differed.
1.-The formation of parties arose from differ.
ences ofopinion upon very radical principle
| of Repubicansm- power of the people to
govern themselves.
The Tribune, in some very fair and candid
remarks npon the above, makes few as
sertions that we are disposed TO notice. 1t
declares 'tl,at the power of the people TO gov
ern themselves, whatever may have been the
private opinion Of individuals, was not the orr
gin of the party differences" Again it de-
clares that real point of difference among
the politicians of those times was, whether GER
tain functions of government should be exer-
cised by the Representatives of the people who
were sitting in the National councils or by
other representatives of the people who were
sitting in the State councils -t..,
We are not disposed to be captious, as to
the letter of our statement, and for argument
sake will accept our brothers. version, and then
see how the matter stands.
In the Convention which formed the Ameri-
can Constitution, a difference of opinion was
found to prevail, as to the powers to be grant
ed the general government. Alexander Ham
ilton, the leader of federal forces, (from which,
we suppose it will not be denied our modern
wings descended,) thought the government
could hardly be too strong, while Thomas JEFF
ferson and Patrick Henry feared lest great
central po,cer might be created to restrict the
power of The people, and of the States. Mr..
jefferson was earnest for bill of rights to re-
strain and limit the Constitution, and Henry
strongly opposed the adoption of the Constitu-
ton itself, by his native State "What, said
he, "shaU the States hare to do' Take care Of
The poor,-repair and make hghpays-erect
6ridges-and SO on-and so on" An amend
ment of the Constitution soon afterwards, made
the reservation of ungranted powers no longer
a matter of inference. This, however, did not
preclude the entertainment of differences of
opinion, and the tendencies of Hamilton s
views, in endeavoring to enlarge the construc-
ton of the Constitution TO meet particular views
has been manifested in his followers, from his
day to the present. 1t was when Hamilton
himself preached the doctrine of free construc-
ton in support Of his first Bank project, that
jefferson replied in these words-'.I consider
the formation of the Constitution as laid upon
this ground, that all powers not delegated to
the United States by the Constitution, nor pro-
hibited by it to the States, are reserved TO the
States or 10 the people To take single
step beyond the boundaries thus specially
drawn around the powers of Congress, is to
take possession Of boundless field of power,
no longer susceptible of any definition" This
sentiment was adopted by the republican par
ty, who held to strongest faith in the people
and the government of the States, while on the
different views were entertained by
those who feared the people.
" The construction which the Constitution
has received by the various persons who have
at different times, administered it, [said Mr..
Burwell, of Va, on the latter OCCASION has
been rigid or liberal, according to their conf
dence in the general or State Governments
The unqualified extent given TO its general
powers, and the inclusion of incidental powers,
as flowing from, and belonging to, particular
enumerating grants, have constituted the es-
sential points of difference among those who
have divided upon the Constitution Said
Mr.. Johnson, of KY, ave should, therefore,
confne ourselves to these objects of the con-
federacy, that we may not weaken the bonds
of Union by usurpation of power not given
TO US by the confederation" "The idea"
said Mr.. Porter, 'of express constitutional
powers, and implied constitutional powers,
gives us the exact definitions of limited and
arbitrary Governments" Said Mr.. Desha, IL
had hoped that the doctrine Of implied powers
had long since exploded. Ever since the reign
of terror, ever since the federal gentlemen. un-
der the head of consecutive powers, adopted
the Alien and Sedition laws, the people of the
United States signifed their disapprobation of
the doctrine of implication or hurting the then
majority out of power" Said Mr. Clay, [then
acting with the Republicans 1.-The great ad-
vantage of our system of Government, over all
others is, that we have ,rritten Constitution,
defining its limits and prescribing its authori-
ties. But once substitute practice for princi-
pie; the expositions of the Constitution for the
text of the Constitution and in vain shall we
look for the instrument in the instrument"
That a difference of opinion, either to
strengthen the general government, or to trust
the States and the people, early divided orr
couhtrynen isivery evident, and this is all that
we intended originally to have asserted. We
trust that our neighbor will not be so unchari-
table, now that we have set him right, as to
attempt to back out of his correct position.