The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1865-12-13

Constitution, which had no m8de in the
past, should NOT have IulIy csmprehended
the excellence VI their os n work. Fresh
from a struggle against arbitrary power,
nanv patriots suffered from harrassing fears
Of an absorption of The State Governments
by the General Government, and many from
y dread that the States would break away
from their orbits. But the very greatness
oi our country should alIay the apprehen-
slsn of sncroachments by the General Co.
,ernment. The subjects that come nm.
questienably within IT'S jurisdiction are so
numsrous. that it must ever naturally re.
fuse TO be embarrassed by questions that
lac besond it. Were il otherwise, the Ex.
ecutise would sink beneath the burden
the channels OF justice would be chuked ;
Legislation would be obslructed by excess;
% that there is greater temptation TO ex-
erci,e soMe OF the lunctiuns Of the Grner-
al Go ernmest through the States than to
iresspass on their rightIul sphere. :. The
absolute acquiesence ~ th. decisions Of
the majority" WAS. at the beginning of the
century, snfsrced by Jearrssn "as the vi
IA! principle Of republics" and the events
pi The Las, four years have established, we
will hope forever. that there lies no appeal
Il lsrcr.
The maintainsncs of the Union brings
with il "the support Of the State Govern
menls 10 ali heir rights" but il is not one
si Tie rights uf any State ernment "a
renounce its own place IN the Uni N. Or 70
nullify The laws Of the Uninn. The Iargesl
liberty 10 10 be maintsin.d IN ihe discus
SION al The acis VI ihr Federal Government;
bot there is no appeal from us laws. except
10 the ,arious bra,ches oi that Go,ernlnen.
itself. or 10 the people, who grant 10 the
member, of the Legislative aud of the Ex.
esutise Departments M tenure but a lin
tied one, aud IN that manner always retain
the powers ol redrrs,
"fhe sovereignty Of the States" is the
language 81 the Confrderacy. and not the
Language Of the Constitution. The latter
contains the emphatic words: The Con
siiiution. and the laws Of the Uaitrl State.
when sh.ll be sase 10 purssauoe thereof.
and all treaties made or which shall be
made under the authority Of the United
States, shall be the supreme law of inc
land and the Judges IN every State shal
he bnund ,herrbv. anything ~ the Con.ti-
iutinn or laws Of any State TO the contrary
notwithstanding"
Certainly the Government Of The United
States i. a united government; and 30 i,
every State government a limited govern
msGt. With u. this idea el limitation
spread. through every iarn si adminrstra.
lion. general. STATE. and municipal, and
rests an the great Distinguishing principle
81 the recognition Of the right. of man.
The ancient republics absorbed the indi.
,idual IN the State. prescribed hi religion
aud controlled his activity. Tie Amer.
can system tests on the assertion &C tile
equal right of every man u life. liberty,
aud The pursuit el happIa,ss; TO freedom
of science. 10 the culture AMI exercise ul
all hIs faculties. A, cnn.rquence, THE
Sta E Government is lim,ist, ss Ia the Gea.
rrsl Gesernmrnt 10 the interest VI Untsn
~ 10 the individual citizen IN inc "a teresl
of freedom.
States. With proper Limitations ef power
are essential 10 tie existence uf the Con.
staution ef TIE United States. Al The ,e.
~ commencement, when we assumed d
place among the Powers Of the earth, III,
Declaration ~f Independence was adopted
by States; 80 also we're The Articles oil
Coslsdsratios; AID ~krn 1.-THE People sI
the United Stsivs" ordained and establish
ell the Constitution, u sas the assent ol
the States. oss By one, which gave il VIZ
islity. In the ssest. too, 1t any amend
msnt 10 the Constitution. the proposition
of Cougtsss needs the confirmation Of States
WIthout States, enc great branch of the
legislative government wsuld bs wanting,
And. if We look beyend the letter si the
Constitution TO the charter OF eur country
its capacity tor camprehendins within il.
Jurisdiction a vast continental empire il
due to the system Of States. The best Sc