Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-31
PRESIDENTS MEssAGE--sTATE
RIGHTS.

The first annual message of the President
is distinguished for two things, under the as,
pect in which we now view it.
1t most distinctly, and in terms the most de-
cided, recognizes the original sovereignty Of the
several States as the basis of the compact Of
Union, and their continuing sovereignty, as
the only solid assurance Of the permanence of
the Union.
1t does more. 1t asserts for the reserved
powers of the respective States dignity and
elevation which is denied to the more restricted
sphere of federal power; and which, arising
from their intimate relations to the national and
social progress Of the several members of the
Union, become '!the vital essence of their being
and greatness" 1t is specially sedulous in
guarding the reserved, from the aggressons of
the granted powers; and it evinces thorough
conviction, in the mind Of its author, that the
safety of the Union, the progress of the States
composing it., and the Development of their
great social, material, and political elements, are
inseparaby interviewer with the restriction of
federal authority, and the free and heathful
action of State power, in the conduct of our
political system.
We joyfully congratulate the country upon
this exposition of the fundamental views of the
President. They are the very opposite of the
consolidation views of the whig party and are
in entire consistency with the State rights prin-
ciple, for which it has ever been our pride and
pleasure to contend.
Tho which Al
now present, will be found below-and we com.
mend them to the attention Of our readers, as
admirable recognitions of the State rights doe
trnes Of the epoch Of 1885," which the Presi.
dent considers as consecrated anew by the
overwhelming voice of the people Of the United
States"
1t Is indeed refreshing to hear once more
from President Of the United States. the an
nouncement, that the States are no more re-. |
garded by the occupant Of that position as
provinces under the rule Of the imperial AN.
thority Of the federal government. but are to
be respected, as the sources of all its power and
the sovereign members of a great confederacy.
1t is equally refreshing to hear from the execu-
tive, an assertion of the danger of tie exercise
Of doubtful porers," and that this vast con-
federation can only be kept in cohesion, by
the stricest fidelity to the principles of the Con-
stitution, as understood By those ,cho hare adj
hered TO THE MOST RESTRICTED CONSTRUCTION OF
THE POWERS granted by the PEOPLE and the
STATES"
We regard these sentiments, If practically
carried out, as the President will doubtless hon
estly strive to do, as death blow to all the
schemes which for years have been urged be-
fore Congress, without any express warrant
from the Constitution in their favor; but under
the specious but false plea, that they are i'm
portant to the general welfare, and worthy OF
the age in which we live. This false basis for
governmental action we trust and believe will be
renowned by the present Executive, as far as
his constitutional action can control it.
No theory of our federal system can be
maintained, and every one must fail which
does not rest upon the essential sovereignty of
the States Of the Union. The glorious fact |