The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-12-13

ton for such apprehensions. 10 thai
mighty struggle between the itst intel
lects of this or any other country. it never
occurred to any individual, either among
its opponents or advocates, to assert, oI
even to Intimate, that their efforts were
all vain labor. because the moment that
any State felt herself sggrieved she might
secede from the Union.
What a crushing argument would this
have proved against those who dreaded
that the rights of the States would be co.
dapgered BY the Constitution. The truth
is, that it was not until many years after
the origin of the Federal Government
that such proposition was first advanced.
! 1t was then met and refuted BY the con.
elusive arguments of General jackson,
Who in bis message of 18th January,
1883. transmitting the nullifying oroinsnCe
of South Carolina to Congress, employs
the following langusge:-"The right Of
the people of single State to absolve
them-elves at will. and without the oou-
sent of the other States. from their most
solemn obligations, and hazard the liber.
ty and happisess of the millions compos-
ing this Union, cannot be aekuowledg ged
Such authority Is believed to be utterly
repugnant both to the principles upon
which the General Government is consti-
tuted and to the objects which is was ex-
pressly formed to attain"
1t is not pretended that any clause in
the Constitution gives oouDtenance to such
theory. 1t is altogether founded upon
inference. not from any Language con
tanned in the instrument itself. but from
the sovereign character of the several
States by which it was ratified. But is
it beyond the power of a State. like an
individual. to yield portion OF its sever
eign rights to secure the remainderl In
the language of Mr.. Madison. who has
been called the father of the Constitution:
at was formed by the States-that is,
by the people in each of the States, act
ing 10 their highest sovereign capacity;
and formed consequently by she same su-
thority which formed the State eonstitu-
tions
'.Nor is the Government of the United
States, created By the Constitution. less a
Government in the strict sense of the ter d,
within the sphere of its powers, than the
government created by the constitutions
of the States are, within their several
spheres. 1t is, like them, organized into
legislative, executive, and judiciary de-
partnents. 1t operates. like them, d.
rectly 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
9th article it is expressly declared that
"the articles of the Confederation shall
be inviolably observed by every State
and the Union shall be perpetual" The
preamable to the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, having express reference to
the articles Of Confederation, recites thai
it was established 'in order to form &
perfect union." Aud yet it i. contended
that this "more perfect union" does moi
iclude the essential attribute of perpetu
iny.
But that the Union was designed to be
perpetual appears conclusively from the
nature and extent of the powers confer
red by the Constitution on the Fedora
Governments. These powers embrace th'
very highest attributes of national sover
eighty. They place both the sword ans
the purse under its control. Congress
has power to make war, and to maxi
peace; to raise and support armies aut
navies, and to conclude treaties with for
eign governments. 1t is invested Will
the power to colu money. and to regulat
the vslue thereof. and to regulate com
merce with foreign nations. aod anon
the several States 1t is not necesssr,
to enumerste the other high powers whicl
have been conferred upon the Fedora
Government In order to carry the emu
merated powers into effect, Congress pos
sesses tho exclusive right to lay and col
lect duties on Imports. and in common
With the States to lay and collect all 9th
er taxes.
But the Constitution has not only con
ferred these high powers upon Congress
but has adopted effeotual means to re
strain the States from interfering witt
their exercises For that purpose it has
in strong prohibitory language, expressl
declared that mo State shall enter int
any treaty, alliance, or confederation
grant letters of marque and reprisal; col
money; emit bills OF credit; make anytbiD
bat gold and silver coin tender in pay
ment of debts; pass any bill of sttsine'
ex post fzcto law. or lew impairtDg tb
Obligation Of contracts. Moreover, with
out the consent of Congress. no State sha
lay any impo-ts or duties on any import
or exports. except what may be absolute
ly necessary for executing its inspectio
laws" and if they exceed this amount
the excess .hall belong to the U. States
And mo State shall. without the cor