The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-04-10

tnose VINO advertise by the year.
ssPEEtII OF G. R. BUCKALEw,
III Senate, March 81, 1856, Upon The Joint Res.
olut,on proposing Amendments 10 the Consti.
tuition. .--------s --. -,
Mr.. SPEAKER The general nature, design
and results of constitutional government,
ought by this Time 10 be familiar to the Amer.
ican mind. But the boundaries of power,
under any possible arrangement, are incapa-
BILE Of exact description aud besides there
are great causes iE constant action that drift
governments IN directions no wisdom can
fofesee or prevent. -.
ri II 10 impossible for the wisest of men 10
provide fundamental arrangements that shall
keep the government permanently in its due
course, protect the citizen from its usurpa.
lions or Injustice, and secure perfectly the
great ends for which il was Instituted. The
future is unknown even 10 the wise, and no
ssgacity, however deep and searching, can
discover the secrets discovered within il. g.
;, Constitutions, however ekilfully construct.
cd, must therefore become imperfect in time,
and hsdequate to their office and object, In
Nsuch case the government is in the same Sit
nation as the body of the people, when the
latter are without some law required by new
conditions Of society for the occurrence of
unexpected events. For the constitution
bears a'relaion to the government similar TO
thatwhich the laws bear 10 The people. The
government obeys the constitution, The peo.
pie The laws. A constitution is often called
"the fundamental law" aud i, may be de-
'cribed as IN INSTRUMENT comprising the laws
imposed BY the people upon the government
In FACT, II resembles corporation act, which
creates an artificial body and prescribes, a,
The same Time, the rules BY which it shall
2 act. y SO '.e -.....i u p .r.. -4ss
- Now, it's evident lhatif the ordinary laws
,ssquire occasional amendment, the const,iu.
ton will also, unless ume has totally diff.
fsrent effect upon the former from its efferl
upon the latter. Those who assert such diff.
feIence must show it,
Nothing is more certain than The prepen.
city of governments 10 usurp power and a.
bnss power, and hence The constant efforts
made in constitutional history 10 curb them
Herein is 10 be sought the reason for the lin.
itations which abound in all our American
Constitutions, and especially those of recen
formation limitations induced by experience
and ;be pressure Of disturbing forces upor
the action of our governments, and proved
10 DO Indispensable 10 their safety and sue
With rs, the Legislative department o
government is the maln offender, and re
-quirss the most numerous and powerful re
'strainis. Its usurpations and abuses of powe
are endless; for il is, s.rong--it is moved BY
hot passlons-its material is subject. 10 rapi(
charges, and to most pernicious influences
il often lacks experience, and (noiw hhsand
ing all assertions 10 the contrary il is Ies
responsible to public opinion than either thu
Executive or Judicial departments. This il
not often said, but there is abundant evdenc,
vof its truth, and tits absolutely necessary 1,
keep il in view in all constitut tional inquiries
{ pistrust of this department, is largely man
ifesied in the eyIs'ing constitution The gran
ofSpowerto il Is in the, first article, and il
general Terms. But from out this grant ar
Ito be excepted The powers delegated 10 tn
government of The United States, and thos
reserved IN the ninth article or declaration o
rights. And ihsn, ,throaghou, the whole in
Z
strumentlsppeaf checks and Limitations upoI
i, provided sbyshe care of our ancestors
q, and lounded 10 . wise distrusl oil those BY
whom in after times the powers granted
would be exercised. .rAnd to secure the oh
sefvance of these reservations and limi,a
ticns, as well as the performance OF the pos
/, tive duties enjoined by The constitution,
> soleians oath OF affirmation is isaeauirec of al
who serve in this department and participant,
in the enactment Of laws, To secure popu
lar cohtfol also over il, It's members are elect
ed for short terms, and by general snfftaRs
But public opipion aud oaihs are moi regard
cd -as sufficient curbs, upon ii, and we there
fore subject its action 10 review by ,ths Ex
gscu,ivs. The Governor may destroy an
bill unless two-:hirds of each house re.enac
sii.o Nor do we stop here. The judicial de
paftment may apnuI and pronounce void an
&C. upon q constitutional objection. Thi
. Judicial veto u.s. wphoul review and lherefor
more, re,absolute than that Of The Executive
bu.ibsihs confined 10 upconsti.uliopsl sc.s i
less extensive. Y ''''- - '''' ''HEf'sr