Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-01-29

assumed by the people whatsoever it shall be
come necessary to their happiness. "-lSamc as
New York.
As to the right or cl~im Of the Federal Gov
to forts, &C., in q State after the State
has been Withdrawn from the Union, and has
re.assumed all powers and rights once delega-
ted, in the case Of Pollard's lessee VS.. Hagan,
8 Howard, S. p. G. R., pages 222 and 22S. the
Court say: Taking the legislative acts OF the
United States and the States Of Virginia and
Georgia, and,thcir deeds Of cession to the United
States, and giving 10 each separately, and TO
all jointly, q fair Interpretation, we must come
to the conclusion that it was the intention Of
the parties to invest the United States with the
eminent domain Of the country ceded, both ma
tional and municipal, for the purpose Of tempo
rary government, and to hold it in trust for the
performance Of the stipulations and conditions
expressed in the deeds of ceSSion and
the legislative acts connected with them
The Court also say in the same case:
'Thc United States has no constitutional
capacity to exercise municipal jurisdiction,
sovereignty Of eminent domain within the
limits Uf the State or elsewhere, except in
cases in which it is expressly granted" Forts,
&C., are built. &C., out Of the money Of all the
States, and before the United States has any
right or power to build them in a State, the
State must give permission by ~cession, &c. AS
soon rs the State rc-assnmes all Of her Sover-
eign rights, and if she refuses longer to recog-
nlze as her agent the Federal Government, the
Federal Government has no longer any author
ity or right in or over the State; the rights once
delegated and cedcd by the State revert again
exclusively 10 the State. Thus, suppose your
l,ol :. c,pJ,,,1 nv COLI Inv van tOr Il rail-
road, road, or street, &c, and You are paid for
It whenever said land ceases TO be used, 6c.,
as required, it revcrls back to you, or your
heirS-the fee simple was always in you, subject
to the uses or right Of way, &c. take it the
same rule or principle of law will apply TO the
Federal Government owning property in the
States. The Federal Government only holds by
express grant from the States it has no con-
Stltulional sovereignty in State, NC, as before
shown.
From the debates and from the views Of the
men who assisted in framing the Constitution;
from the express declarations and reservations
Of the States r~atifying the Constitution, set
forth in the State Constitutions and in the con.
~su,utiun Of the United States, and from the de-
cisions of the United States Supreme Court,
can il be possible that any intelligent man can
or will hereafter deny the States the inherent
right to re.aSsrme all of their sovereign rights
ard powers, and to take back or rc.asSumc all
the powers once delegated to their agcnt-ihe
Federal Government? Where do mclI find the
right or power in the Federal Government TO
cocrce or use force against a State, after u State
has withdrawn from the Union, and afteri it has
ceased to recognize the Federal Government
any longer as its agent? When a State seccdes
and goes cut of the Union, it takes with il and
rc-asSumcs all Of the powers which were once
delegated or entrusted to the Federal Govern
me,.l. The Federal Government, We have seen,
has no municipal jurisdiction, sovereignty, etc.
in a State, by virtue of the Constitution, ever
when u State is in the Union. Why, then, OF
how car it claim such powers in a State which
is no longer in the Union? To give the Fedora
Government these powers, 4 State in tho Uni"r
must expressly delegate such powers.
If you examine the constitution, you vii
find that the federal government docs not CLAIM
anything therein us an inherent right! it only
claims powers which are delegated 10 it BE- ,ht
States. Yet with all these plain principle:
clearly set forth, and manifest to any intelli
| gent mind, you will find men holding the fede
raj government. or, as they term it, the Union
up as an idol, which they worship, and which
they would have the States, (Which arc iht
creators Of it, do so in like manner, no matter
how corrupt it Is or may become. These nen
would also give to this creature or agent unlim
tied and underlined rights and powers. The
President in his last message says he intends
! to enforce the laws in South Carolina, although
she is no longer in the Union. lie has as mucf
right to put the laws which he ~rcfcrSto in force
in England, France, &c, as hc has i'll Soutl
Carolina
Why did not the President enforce the law:
in the free States? These States all claim 10 ht
now in the Union, yet they have for years past
and now are violating the constitution ant
laws Of the United States. The violation b,
the free States of these Laws, is the cause Of al
the evils now upon us; they are the source
FROM which all these troubles have come upoT
us. Why don't the President now enforce tn
laws in the free States? He had better sen,
his Major Andersons, Gen. Scots, &C., there
and not make war upon sovereign States NJ
longer under his jurisdiction. appeal to th'
Young men OF this country, and also to the ole
men, 10 examine the subjects | refer to 70
yourselves. DO not trust to the views ant
opinions of corrupt and designing d~emagosue;
aud politicians. Inform yourselves CT you
States rights, and protect and defend them
for Yourselves and for your children. G.
Interesting Letter.
The following letter from an officer in tn
United States Army, a native Of the Old Domi
MON, and now in New Mexico, will attract de
served attention from our readers:
MODERN Weapons.
r. the Eiitors Of tho Richmond Enquirer:
NEW MEXICO, Dec. 2S, 1860.
Gentlcmcn-IIaving observed that the pco
| pie at home are procuring arms for the State
venture to offer you the views which seem Il
be generally entertained BY the officers Of tn
army, respecting the comparative merits of tn
weapons now in use.
1t is not necessary for the State Of Virgin;
to send to England for the Enfield rifles, fol
,L,oro rn,da q, Sur;nufrli arc uuitc ms rood r.