Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-06-08

Power OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Mr. Jefferson was undoubtedly the ablest
cxpounder Of the Constitution, because
50 intimately connected with theevents
which led to its formation. The present
4 Radical Congress which delights to quote
his opinions as an emancipationist would
do we'll TO investigate his writings upon
other points. 10 Judge johnson (Juha
IL, 1928, Jefferson wrote; 'i 81 sFIis
n l have been blamed for saying that
10 prevalence Of the doctrine of cousolida-
ton would one day call for reformation
or reuolation. 4 answer by asking ifs
single State of the Union would have
agreed TO the Constitution, had 1t given
| all powers to the General Government?
1.-THE wholesopposition to it did not pros
coed from the jealousy and fear of every
State, of being subjected to the other
States in matters merely its ownf And
is there any reason to believe the States
more disposed now than then, to acquiesce
in this general surrender of all their
rights and powers to consolidated govS
ernment, one and undividedf"sfi sssie
Further on In the same letter, which
is quite long and very argumcntatiye,
Jefferson says: IS 10
1t may be impracticable to lay down
any general formula ofwords which shall
decide at once, and with precision, in
every case, this limit Of Jurisdiction
But there are two cannons which will
guide us safely In most oftho cases..
A. The capitaJ and leading object q, the
Constitution ,ras to lcape acith the States
all authorities Which respected their oirssu
citizens only, and 10 transfer TO the L'niteda
States those rhich respected citdzens Of
foreign or other ,Stafes; to make US sew
eral as to ourselves, but one as to all
others. In the latter case, then, CON-
struction should lean to the general
jurisdiction, If the words will bear it;
and in favor of the States in the former,
if possible to be so construed And,
indeed, between citizens and citizens Of
the same State, and under theirown laws.
| know Of but single case in which a
jurisdiction is given to the General Cow
ernment. That is when anything but
gold or silver is made q lawful tender.
or tho obligation Of contracts is other
wise impaired. Tho separate Legisla-
lures Ind so often abused that power,
that the citizens themselves chose to
trust it to- the general, rather than to-
their own separate authorities. 2. On
every question Of construction, carry
ourselves back to the time when the
Constitution was adopted, feeollect the
spirit manifested 10 the debates, and in
stead of trying what meaning may be
squeezed out of the text, or invented
against 1t, conform TO the probable one
in which il was passed." f 81
Again, in the same letter:
{" Can ID be believed that under tho
jcalousies prevailing against the Govern
ment, at the adoption Of the Constitution
the States meant TO surrender the author
ity Of preserving order, Of enforcing
moral duties and restraining vice within :
their own territory?D s ssili
MARYLAND PoATrcs. Archer
Esqs, Of Hartford county, who had been
appointed by the Radical Union Conven-
ton Of that county o delegate TO the 9th
Of une State. Convention, has published
a card declining to serve. He says he
is in favor Of President Johnson's re-e
storation policy, and opposed to negro
suffrage. this connection he remarks 81
81 conscientiously believe that every
man who unites with the Radical party
in Congress, though his intentions and
objects may be different, really throws
the whole weight Of his inhuoncesto pro-
mote the ultimate objects Of that party.
No one who has read the debates and
proceedings in Congress can doubt that
the real object Of that party Is to es-
tablish universal negro sufrege through
out the Southern States. This II the
burden of their Notwithstanding
object Of their hearts--the principal
plank in their platform. Now, how can
q Marylandcr who ID opposed 70 the
scheme (and / give my fellow citizens
| the credit to believe they all are )-howg
can he unite with such party When
we Join party VIC certainly expect TO
promote the objects which. that party has
10 view. We cannot sanction part Of
their measures and refuse our assent to-
another and more important measure.
sit is folly TO say this question Is not
at issue in this State. This is q great
national party. Their measures are in-<
tended to sembrace the whole country TO-
which they are applicable. If the party
succeeds in their ultimats objects, docs
any man believe they will consent to re-
lieve our State from the effects of the
odious law? It is manifest to me, there-
fore, that all 10 Maryland who support
the Radical party in Congress virtually.
though Internationally. throw their in
huence 10 favor Of negro suffrage.
Ag- SENAToa snsnMAE, of Ohio.