Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-12-13

rom the Union. What . crushing argumen
would this have proved against those who dread
cd that the lights Of the States would be endan
gered by the Consultation.
The truth 10, that IL was not until MANI
years after the origin Of the Federal Gov
that such q proposition was first advanced. I
was then met aud refuted by the csnciu,ive ar
gnments Of Gen. Jackson, who In his message
18th January, 1888, transmitting the nullifyin
ordinance Of South Carolina to congress, EN-
ploys the ollowing language: "The right ofth'
people Of o single State TO absolvs themsclvo o
At will, and without the consent of the othe
States, from their most solemn obligations, an,
hazard the liberty and happiness Of the million
composing this Union, cannot be acknowledged
Such authority is believed TO be utterly repug
napt botS to the principles upon which the Gen
eral Government 10 constituted and to the OBJ
ljects which II was expressly formed to attain
Its not pretended that any clause N ih
Constitution gives counteaance to such a theory
1tis altogether founded upon inference, not from
any language contained 10 the instrument Itself
but from the sovereign character OF the severn
States by which it was ratified Bat is II ~
yond the power Of a State, like an individual
70 yield portion Of It's sovereign rights to secur'
the remainderf In the language Of Mr. Madison
who has been called the father Of the
"It was formed by the states-that is, BY the
people In each Of the States, acting In then
highest sovereign capacity; and formed conse..
quently by the came authority which formed
"Nor is the Government Of the United States
created by the constitution, less Government l.
10 the strict sense Of the term, within the sphere
of its powers, than the governments create d by
the constitutions Of the States aro, within their
several spheres. It is, like them, organised in
TO legislative, executive, and judiciary depart
fnents. 1t operates, like them, directly on per-
sons and things; and, like them, it has at com
mand physical force for executing the power
committed 10 It."
II was intended to be perpetual, and not to
be annulled at the pleasure Of any one Of the
contracting parties. The old articles of confed
erstiou we're, entitled "Articles Of confederation
and Perpetual Union between the States" and
by the 18th article it is expressly declared that
"the articles ofthis Confederation shall be in
violably observed by every State, and the Union
shall be perpetual" The preamble to the con-
stitution of the United States, having express
reference to tn articles CT confederation, reeites
that 1t was established Sin order to form more
perfect union" And yet it is contended that
this moro pc feet union does not include the
essential at fibut5 Of perpetufty.
But that the Union designed to be perpet.
ual appears couclusivey from the nature and
extent of the powers conferred blythe constitu-
tion on the Federal Government. The powers
embrace the very highest attributes Of national
sovereignty. They place Doth the sword anu
the purse under its control. Congress has power
to make war, and TO make peace; to raise and
support aruies and navies, and TO conclude
treaties with foreign governments. 1t is invest
cd with the power to coin money, aud to
regulate the value thereof, and to regulate oom-
meroe with foreign nations, and among the sew
eral States. It is not necessary 10 enumerats
the other high powers which have been eonfer-
red upon the Federal Government. In order tt
carry the enumerated powers into effect, con.
grsss possesses ths sxolIsivs right 60 ley aud
collect duties on imports, and in common WIZ
the States to lay and collect all other taxes
But the constitution has not only confs rred
these high powers upon congress, but It has
adopted effectuai means to restrain the Statei
from interfering with their exercise. For that
purpose 1t has, in strong prohibitory Language
expressly declared that"no State shall enter
into any treaty, alliance or confederatiotj grant
letters Of marque and reprisal; coin moneyjemi!
bills Of credit; make anything but gsld and
silver coin q tender In payment OF debts; pass
any bill Of attainder, er post taeso law, or law
impairing the obligations of contracts" More
over; "without the consent OF congress, no stats
shall lay any imposts or duties on any imports
or OK ports, except what may be absolutely ne
cessary for executing its inspection laws" and
if they exceed this amount, the excess shall be-
loag " the United states.
And ono State shall, without the consent o.
congress, lay any duty of tonnage; keep trospi
or rhips of war, in time Of peace; enter into any
!, agreement or compact with onsther State, o.
with foreign power, or engage in war, unles'
sctually invaded, or In such imminent danger
o, will not admit Of delay.
!, In order still further to secure the uhinterrup
ted exercise Of these high powers against Sat
interposition, 1t is provided "that this Cen tti
tion and the laws Of the United States which
, shall be made in pursuance thereof; and al
+ treaties made, or which shall be made, un 10
& the authority OF the United States, shall be tn
suprsme law of the land; and the judges in ey
I cry state shall be bound thereby, any thing 1
I constitution or laws to the contrary notwith
: standing.
8 Tho solemn sanction of religion has been su
peradded 10 the obligation, Of official duty: an
all senators aud representatives. OF the U. D. al
members of State Legislatures, and all executiv
: and judicial officers, "botb of the U. s. and o
: the several States, shall DO bound by oath OF Of
firmstion TO support this constitution"
i In order to carry into effect these powers, tn
I. constitution has esta ablished q perfect Govern
ment in allits forms, Legislative, Executive, an
,f judicial; and this Government, TO the exten
OF its powers, acts directly upon the indivdus
II citizens of every State,and executes ito own dc
u erees by the agency Of Its own officers. In thi
|. respect It differs entirely from the Governmen
!. under the old Confederation, which was coz
Q fined to making requisitions 90 the states
= t.heir sovereign character. This left 1t In tn
/ dis. .rstisn OF each whether to obey or TO refuse
n and they often declined to comply with sue
g -eousi. ions. 1t thus became necessary, for tn
purpose OF removing this barrier and "in orde
! 10 form a more perfect Union, to establish
(iOV0rQmeQt
!. peoplo, and execute its own laws without, tn
4 iintermsdiste agency OF the states. This ha
= been accomplished by the Constitution OF tn
" United States.
!. In short, the government created 3
b the consultation, and deriving its AZ
- - thority from the. sovereign people 9
" each Of the several States, has prec'sel
the same right to exercise its power owe
- !, the people Of all these States, IN tn
l. enumerated cases. that each one OF lhel
y poss esses over subjects not delegated
~ the United States but Preserved TO th
Sc States, respectively, or TO the people.
70 the extent oil the delegated pov
y ers the constitution OF the United Stat'
~ ;s as much part OF the constitution
~ each State, and Is as binding upon !
y. people, as though it had been textuall
ss, inserted therein.
III, This Government, therefore, is
NJ great and powerful government; inyest'
ID With all the attributes Of sovereign
1. I,h over ,he special aabjects to which ]
10 10. authority extends. its trainers nev
re intended to implant in its bosom Il
led seed Of its own destruction, nor, we
I'D they at It's creation guilty Of the absur