Litchfield enquirer., 1861-06-27
Fon rHH EKoUInsR. Mr. "B.0 on the Sovereignty Of the Statesl


 Fon THE ENagrnsR. BIr. "B.'' on the Sovereignty Of the
 States!
 In the Columbian Register of Juue let is . communication over the signature of "B " in which the writer gives his views of the "para- mount authority" of the " Federal Government,' and of State Sovereignty, &c. Pefmit me, Mir. Editor, corner your paper in which to offer . few considerations in reply.
 "B." is pleased to inform the world, that he is 0 democrat
 No public announcement of this fact was ne- cessary. The communication itself furnishes ample proof, all that is necessary to establish that fact. No man but democrat of the poli- tical school of "B." would have written, or could have written such communication. It betrays an ignorance of the Constitution of the Govern ment, an ignorance of the political history of the Government, little in keeping with the pur- pose of one who assumes to influence, govern and control private or public opinion. It be- trays "political education" as narrow, con- tracted and bigoted, as his principles and teach ings are false and pernicious, showing that he has imbibed them from very impure source, that has not the moral courage, the manhood to renounce them in this hour of his county's peril. It shows that he is devoid of all those patriotic impulses, feelings, and aspirations, which nobly characterize every true hearted American; and that his feelings and sympathies are on the side of the rebels and traitors who are now attempt ing through the agency of such congenial spirits as !" B." the destruction of the liberties of this great people. May the Almighty palsy his arm, palsy his tongue, and those of his traitorous CO., adjutors ere that terrible calamity shall befall us.
 Mir. "B." seems to be very much "alarmed and amazed'' that republicans should hold and maintain that the general government possesses any "paramount authority" Is it a crime, is there any thing immoral in so believing! I should hardly suppose that any man, unless he was a confirmed idiot, would for Q single moment deny, that so far as the powers of the general government extend, just so far does the general government possess paramount authority"
 The powers of the general government, are such as have been granted to it. The general government may exclusively exercise them. The States, as separate and distinct communities, cannot touch them. I use but the words of the Constitution, and "B." will find upon examina- tion, that the language of the Constitution has broader and a deeper significance, than he is willing to give to that instrument. The words, "powers herein granted'' as used in the Constitution show clearly, that the framers of that instrument intended a gift to the general government of all the powers, therein specified. power given, granted, means more than power delegated. It vests in the granted all DOW CT over the subject matter of the gift, and reserves none in the grantor. If the powers of the gen eral government were granted, and the Constitu- tion says they were, it is incompatible with the idea, that they were delegated If they were granted for the exclusive use of the general gov ernment, then the general government must pos sess "paramount authority" to the extent of the powers granted. This is susceptible of demon- stration in another point of view If we look at the objects and purposes, sought to be accom- pllshed in the .formafioa of the general govern ment, we can come to no other conclusion than that paramount authority was intended to be given to it over certain matters of legislation.
 The people of the original thirteen States formed government. It was government not for particular State, not over a particular State, but government for and over the whole thirteen, operating in all, and over all, alike. and at the same time. This being the object in tue formation of the government, possessed as it was, with the exclusive use of certain leeislatiye powers, granted to it by the power which form cd it, it is simply ridiculous and absurd to say that it does not possess " paramount authority" might go, further, and speak of the restrictions which the people imposed upon the States at the time the government was formed, 80 far as re- lated to the powers granted to it; and then might speak of the practice of tke States in not attempting to use the powers so granted, but this is unnecessary, for every half sensible mas. who is at all conversant with the history sf the government knows full we'll that it does possess paramount authority
 Another dogma of Mir. "B."is this, that the government was the creature of the constitu- tion," that the constitution made the govern ment. What stuff is this, what nonsense fOrany man to promulgate in an enlightened cOmmun- ity. The government is the creature of the peo- ple The constitution the chart, the written guide by which, the government was put, and has been kept in motion. The constitution pos sess no creative power.
 It is entirely imperative for any purpose, ex- cept as human agency may be brought intoexeB> else, through the various departments composing the government.
 The constitution is simply written instru> ment pointing out what powers have been grant ed to the government. and whatever those powers, may be; it was the work of the people, nor can, those powers be used, except as providedb by the people who made it. The constitution is . dead letter itself. It acts upon nothing of itself. It is potent, influential, and powerful through hR- man agency. So in the beginning. Human agency createdth government, Humanageney, conforming to the powers, and means previde0 in the constitution, put the government in mo- tion {; gave it life and being.
 "B," must have an object in making such . foolish claim and it is as apparent as 1t is fooi ish, and pass it. HAAiisoH'
 A most patriotic and heroic spirit was dis> played by one of the Ohio soldiers. He was nIa by Mimic ball, which shattered bis arm, Nnr dering it entirely useless. No longer abie l1 usc his musket on the rebels, with his saastere0 sL -sI N