Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-12-06

be so, the COnfederacy is rope of and, to be
penetrated and dissolved by the first adverse
wave of public opinion in any Of the States
In this manner yur thirty.three States may re-
solve themselves into as many petty, jarring,
and hostile republics; each one retiring from
the Union, without responsibility, whenever
any sudden excitement might impel them to
such a course. By this process Union might
be entirely broken into fragments in few
weeks, which cost our forefathers many years
of toll, privation, aed blood to establish.
Such a principle is wholly inconsistent with
the history as well as the character of the
Federal Constitution. After it was framed,
with the greatest deliberation and care, it was
submitted to conventions of the people of the
several States for ratification. Its provisions s
were discussed at length in these bodies, COM
posed of the first men of the country. Its op-
ponents contended that it conferred powers up
on the Federal Government dangerous to the
rights of the States, while its advocates main
tanned that under a fair construction OF the in
strument there was no foundation for such ap-
prehensons. In that mighty Struggle between
the first ntellects of this or any other country
il never occurred to any individual, either
even to intimate, that their efforts were all
vain labor, because the moment any State felt
herself aggrieved she might secede from the
Union. What IA crushing argument would this
have proved against those who dreaded that
the rights of the States would he endangered
by the Constitution. The truth is, that it was
not until many years after the origin of the
Federal Government that such a proposition
was first advanced.
1t was then met and refuted by the c0nclu-
siye arguments of Gen. jackson, who ia bis
message Of 9Th January, 1888, transmitting
the nulfying ordinance OF South Carolina
to Congress, employs the following language ::
The right of the people of single State to
absove themselves 1T 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 repugnaHt hothto the prin-
Cples Cpon which the General GOveEnment Is
constituted and to the objects which it was ex.
preSsy formed to attain
Il is not pretended that any clause in the
Constitution gives cOuntenance to such theory.
1t is altogether founded upon inference, not
from any language contained in the instrument
itself, bnt from the sovereign character of the
several States by which it was ratified. But
is it beyond the power of State, like an indi-
vidnal to yield portion Of its sovereign rights
to secure the remainder In the language Of
Mr.. Madison, who has been called the father
of the Constitution it was formed by the
StateS-that is, by the people in each Of the
States, acting in their highest sovereign capa-
city and formed consequently by the same
authority which formed the State Constutu-
tiOns "
Nor is the Government OF the United States
created hy the Constitution, less a Govern
ment in the strict sense of the term, within the
sphere of its powers, than the governments
created 10y the constitutions Of the States are
within their several spheres. 1t is, like them,
organized into legislative, executive and ju'
dietary departments. 1t operates, like them,
directly on persons and things and like them,
it has at command physical iorce fer eXecut-
ing the powers committed to it.
1t was intended to be perpetual, and rot to
be 9nnuled at the pleasure of any one of the
contracting parties The old articles of con
federation were entitled Articles Of Coned.
GRAFTON and Perpetual Union between the
States :" and by the 18th article it is express
II declared that 1" the articles of this Confed-
GRAFTON shall be invioIaby observed by every
State, and the Union shall be perpetuaI."-
The preamble to the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, having express reference to the
articles of Confederation, reciteS that it was
established in order to form a msre perfect
union" And yet it is coatended that this
" more perfect union does not include the
essential attribnte OF perpetuity.
But that the Union was designed to be per-
pftual appears coacluSivcy from the nature
and extent of the powers conferred by the
Constitution on the Federal Government
These powers embrace the very highest attri
UuteS of the national sovereignty. They place
both the sword aud the purse under its con-
troll. Congress has power TO make war, and
to make peace ; to raise and support armies
and navieS and to conclude treaties with foreign
Governments. It is is invested with the
power to coin money, and to regulate the value
thereof, and to regulate commerce with foreign
nations and among the several States. 1t is
not necessary to ennmerate the other high
movers that have been conferred upon the
Federal Government In order to carry the
enumerated powers into effect. Congress pos
sesses the exclusive right to lay and collect
duties on imports, and in common with the
States to lay and collect all other taxes.
But the Constitution has not only conferred
these high powers upon Congress, but it has
adopted efectual means to restrain the States
from interfering with their exercise. For that
purpose it has strong prohibitory language, ex-
pressIy declaring that "no State shall enter
into any treaty alliance, or confederation !;
great letters of marque and reprisal coin
money emit bills Of credit; make anything
but gold aud silver coin tender in payment
of debts pass any bill of attaindeT, sr post
fact0 law, or LAW impairng the obligation of