The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1865-11-25

those for whom the delegates seyerally
acted, and il did not mean those people
| in the aggregate. The several peoples
represented in the Convention acted by
their respective delegates Thus, the peo-
pie of Connecticut acted for themselves
by their delegates Roger Sherman, Sam
uel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver
Woleott In the Articles of Confedera-
ton, the following phrases are employed !:
"among the people of the different State" !;
"and the people of each State g their
own people" that is, the people of the re-
speetive States In the Constitution the
word ".people" is used only for reference
to the inhabitants of the sererai States, or
portions of the same, and in no case for
the collective inhabitants of all the States
in the aggregate. 1t is applied to those
who's are accustomed TO net together under
State authority, Mt particular time or
place, on to portions of them. Thus,
/" The powers net delegated to the United
States by the Constitution, nor prohibited
by it to the States, are reserved to the
States or the people, that is, to the peo-
pie of the States.) In the phrase, " We,
the people Of the United States" there is
an equivalent for we, the people of New
Hampshire, and the people of Massachu-
sets, &c. The articles of the Constitu-
ton was a compact q bctgeea the States
ratifying the same" The style" of the
Federal Union in the new Constitution
was borrowed from the old, namely, the
Articles of Confederation, and has the
same meaning.
The reason why the Constitution was
submitted to the people of each State, and
not to the several Legislatures, was be-
cause it was apprehended that the latter
would oppose it. Said Wilson: g know
that they, the Legislatures and the State
officers oppose it; ! am for carrying it to
the people of each State" The ratifica-
ton was the act of each State, and not Of
the Federal Government, which then had
no existence, or of the aggregate people
under that Governments
Massachusetts,, in Convention, in rati-
flying the "new Constitution, speaks of
the Hrights of the people" that is. the
people of the several States; and also
uses the language, i" in the name and BY
the authority of the people of this Com
monwealth." s'The freedom of the peo-
pie" was understood to mean the Freedom
or the rights of the States, or of the peo-
| pie of the States, in distinction from the
granted rights or powers of the Federal
Government,
CONSTITUTION.
The people of the Colonies we're under
the British Constitution.
\ Constitution was framed in 1913 by
tho Colonies of Massachusetts,, Plymouth,
Connecticut, and New Haven. 1t was
composed Of twelve articles. The first
fixes the name, "The United Colonies
of Now England Second "The said
United Colonies, for themselves and their
posterity, do jointly aud severally enter
into firm and perpetual league of friend.
ship and amity, for offence and defence
mutual advice and succor upon all just
occasions, for their mutual safety and
general welfare"
j Besides State Constitutions, tho people
of the Colonies, when they became g free
and independent States. through THEN
legislatures formed Constitution under
(which they could act for specific purposes
iset forth in that instrument. This wa:
Ifamiliarly known as the Articles of Con
1 federation, though it was also dcnominat
ed the Federal Constitution, y in popular
Language, in the acts of the States, anc
in she Convention assembled to revise it
Thus, Massachusetts,, in the appointment
-lof delegates to the Convention which
4 formed the new Constitution" uses tn,
term !" Federal Constitution as equiya
lent to "the Articles of Confederation. ;
| It was solcmnly ratified by all the Leg
Iislatures, and declared to ba Of perpetua
obligation. g And the Articles of thi
Confederation shall be inviolably observe,
lby every State, and the Union shall b
perpetual. Nor shall any alteration, a
lany time hereafter, be made in any 0
, them, unless such alteration be agreed t
E in Congress of the United States, an,
confirmed by the Legislature of ever,
State"
), 1t is not strange that Luther Martil
should express the following reprobatiol
! of the violation of federal obligation b
forming a new Constitution in 1877
! g Will you tell us that we ought to trus
Fl Fev because yeu now enter into solemn
compact with us? This you have don
d before, and notc treat with the utmos
contempt Will you now make an appea
| to the Supreme Being, and call Him t
; guarantee your observance of this com
) pact? The same you have formerly don
, for your observance of the Articles {
Gonferation, which yog are nov Yiolatin
8 in the most wanton manner. The sam
reason which you now urge for destroyin
: our present Federal Government, may b
: urged for abolishing the system, Whic
: you now propose to adopt
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
The word Federal is derived from th
r Latin word .toeclsts, ~ league or c,Jmpac
Ours is Federal Government, as appear
e from the recommendation of Congress
1877 : e Resolved, that in the opinion {
Congress, it is expedient that, on the Sc,
7 ond Monday Of May next, Conventio
E of delegates, who shall have been appoin
e led By che several States, be held at Phi
f for the sole and express pqrpos
? of revising the Articles of Confederation
|, and reporting to. Congress and the sewers
!; Legislatures, such alterations and provi
{ ions therein as shall, when agreed to
: Congress and confirmed by the State
Z render the Federal Constitution adeuuai