Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1860-12-15

sive arguments of Gen. jackson, who in
his message of JAN 10th, 1898, transmit,
ting the multiplying ordinance of South
Carolina to Congress, employs the follow
ing language "The right of the people
of single State to absolve themselves at
will, and without the consent of the other
States, from their most solemn obligations
and hazard the liberty and happiness of
the millions composing this Union, cannot
be acknowledged.
Such authority is believed TO be utterly
repugnant both to the principles upon
which the General Government is constitu-
ted and to the objects which it was express
ly formed to attain"
1t is not pretended that any clause in
the Constitution gives countenance to such
a theory. 1t is altogether founded upon
inference not from any language contained
in the instrument itself, but from the SOW
crcign character of the several States by
which it was ratified. But is it beyond
the power of State, like an individual, to
yield portion Of its sovereign rights to
secure the remainder In the langua &c of
Nr. Madison, who has been called the ia
ther of the Constitution. at was formed
by the statcs-that is, by the people in
each of the States, acting in their highest
sovereign capacity and formed conse-
quently by the same authority which form
ed the State constitutions"
"Nor is the Government of the United
States, created by the Constitution, less a
Government in the strict sense of the term
within the sphere of its powers, than the
governments created by the Constitution
OF the States are, within their several
spheres. 1t is, like them, organized into
legislative, and executive, and judi
cary departments. 1t operates, like them
directly on persons and things and, like
them it has at command physical force
for executing the powers committed to it,"
1t was intended to be perpetual, and
not to be annulled at the pleasure of any
one of the contracting parties. The old
articles of confederation were entitled
"Articles of Confederation and perpetual
Union between the States; and by the
18th article it is expressly declared that
''thc articles of this Confederation shall be
invioable observed by every State, and
the Union shall bc perpetual" The pre-
amb to the Constitution of the United
States, ,having express reference to the ar
ticles of Confederation, recites that it was
established Gin order to form more per-
feet union" And yet it is contended that
this more perfect union" does not include
the essential attribute of perpetuity.
Al Al, 7.
perpetual appears concIusivcly from the
ma ure and extent Of the powers conferred
by the Constitution on the Federal Govern
ment. These powers embrace the very
highest attributes Of national sovereignty.
They place both the sword and the purse
under its control. Congress has power to
make war, and to make peace to raise
and support armies and navies, and to
conclude treaties with foreign governments.
1t is invested with the power to coin mo.
ney, and to regulate the value thereof, and
to regulate commerce with foreign nations
and among the several States. it is not
necessary to enumerate the other high pow.
ers which have been conferred upon the
Federal Government. In order to carry
the enumerated powers into effect, Con.
gress possesses the exclusive right to lay
and collect duties on imports, and in com.
mon with the States to lay and collect all
other taxes.
But the Constitution has not only con-
ferred these high powers upon Congress
but it has adopted elfectual means to re-
strain the States from interfering with their
exercise. For that purpose it has, in
strong prohibitory language, expressly de-
clared that "no State shall enter into any
treaty, alliance, or confederation grant
letters of marquc and reprisal coin mon
ey, emit bills of credit; make anything
but gold and silver coin tender in pay
ment of debts; pass any bill of attaindcr,
ex post facto law, or law impairing the
obligation of contracts" Moreover, "with
out the consent of Congress, no State shall
lay any imposts or duties on any imports
or exports, except what may be absolutely
necessary for executing its inspection laws;
and, if they exceed this amount the exces;
shall belong to the United States.
And mo State shall, without the con
sent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage
keep troops, or ships of war, in time o
peace enter into any agreement or com
pact with another State, or with foreigr
power; or engage in war, unless actually
invaded or in such imminent danger as vii
not admit of delay"
In order still further to secure the unin
terrupted exercise of these high powers
against State interposition, il is provided
"that this Constitution and the laws of til,
United States which shall be made in pur
suance thereof, and all treaties made, o.
which shall be made, under the authort,
of the United States, shall be the supreme
law of the land and the judges in ever,
State shall be bound thereby anything il
the Constitution or laws of any State to tn
contrary Notwithstanding
The solemn sanction of ligion has becl
superadded to the obligations of officia
duty, and all Senators and Representa-
tives of the United States, as members @
State legislatures, and all executive an
judicial officers, "both of the United State