Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-12-17

SATURDAY MORNING. DEE. II, 1864
The Unisn - il Wa

The unisn - il Wa
The Oft repeated demand made by leaders
in the ranks Of the "a Democratic" party is to
give them =" the Union - it vas-" TAey
give no sp~ei6-d conditions. illustrating to
their followers. the principles. powers and
guarsntees. which established and governed
a" the Union a. it was." but Alex. II. Ste
phen., Vice President Of the Rebel Confsd-
ercy, comes out Ast-fcoted on the subject.
and claims that the only key note to perma-
ncnt. lasting peace. in the recognition Of the
fundamental principle and truth upon which
all American constitutional liberty is founded,
and on thu maintenance of which alone it can
be sustained-that is, the sovereignty Of the
States" The question naturally follows.
Have we perfect nationality. and If so, how
or on what is it foundedi We claim to have
complete nationality. resting on the people
of the United States. with sovereign powers,
and the States have only municipal author.
ity, limited by the Constitution.
In the early formation of our national ex-
istence, tho sorere;g~ States Of the American
Republican Coufederacy-entered into a
union or league, under the articles Of confed-
federation. the central government being de-
nominated the Continental Congress, made
up Of delegates sent by the different States
respectively. but with powers SO limited that
it was impracticable to administer or Legis-
late measures for the general welfare Of the
country as a nation. Each Of the States uu.
der the confederation retained sovereign
capacity, and claimed for itself separate and
distinct OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES sovereignty.
Under such a principle Of government, there
was not, nor could there be, aperfect union Of
the States. 1t was confederacy Of indepeu-
dent sovcrcign,ies, q nation without the pow
er to exercise jurisdiction within its own lin
its, and, as might be expected, the country be-
came sadly embarrassed, proving to the Amer.
lean people after thirteen years OF experience,
that they had the form without the substance
of national government. In the midst Of
these trying circumstances, it became evident
that the States should yield up their sovereign
independence, in order, as the Constitution Of
the United States declares, "to form more
perfect union, establish justice, insure domes-
tic tranquility. provide for the common do
Tense. promote the general welfare. and secure
the blessings Of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity''; and be it observed that it is the
Imperative duty Of the national Government
to 80 legislate and administer their constitu.
tional powers Is to attain the foregoing OBJ
jects.
The sovereignty exercised by the States
previous to 1889 was, by the adoption Of the
Constitution, abrogated. and we find by refer
ring to that instrument-Art. J., Sec. 10
that the States are denied any power or au-
thority whatever to enter into any treaty, a.
lance OF confederation, to grant letters Of
marque and reprisal; to coin money; to emit
bills Of credit; to make anything but gold and
silver coin tender in payment Of debt; to
pass any bill Of attainder, e. post facto laws.
or law impairing the obligation Of contracts.
And, without the consent Of Congress, no
State shall lay any imposts or duties Oh i'm
ports OF exports. except what may be abso-
;ssely secessary for executing its inspection
laws, and the net produce Of I'll such duties
and inposss shall be for the Treasury II the
United States and al such laws shall be sub
jeet 70 TIE rsvisios and eoatrol Of Coagress.
Neither shah they lay any duty Of sesaass'
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