The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-02-07

Speech Of the Hon. Geo. q. Pen
! dletcn. !,
~ ! - Ill
THE POWERS OF rHR FEDHRAL coasf1rurIos
- AND THE RIGHTS OF THE STATES.
Ei2t is4@t y -. - 1@ eis934sN
The subjoined remarks were made by the
Hon. George H. Pendleton, Of Ohio attic
celebration on the 9Th Of January, at Col
bus:
Mr.. President You ask me to speak to
a sentiment in honor of the Constitution.
/ know the views and hopes andaspiratl!oanss
and efforts of these gentlemen, but u I!
should look out into the country-bey ono
the limits of this hall, beyond the circles o!
opinions which we have heard tonight, !
should scarcely know whether ought TO
speak of it in admiring praise, as an exist
ing, active, efficient benefcence, or use the
terms of sad eulogy, fitted for the side OF a
new made grave, wherein lies prostrate q
lifeless form slain by the hands Of pretend
led friends. But, thank God! the principles
of the Constitution caninever die! 1t may
be neglected and violated; its application,
may be suspended. Presidents and Con-
gressmen may prove faithless to, it the
people may become degenerate and unable
or unwilling to maintain it as their organic
law; yet its principles, embodied in writ.
ten forms shall remain for the use Of all
good men hereafter, illustrated by the his
tory of 70 years, during which time these
States enjoyed domestic tranquility, and
their people enjoyed 'the blessings OF liber-
ty." Like the words Of the Almighty, they
shall not return void Like the faintest
sound. whose utterances causes the osclla-
ton of the atmosphere to the utmost limits
of space and affects it's action and position
lin all time, SO these principles, once having
been in action, shall with their influences.
reach the nations throughout the ages.
What gave novelty and value to the
Federal constitutions TWAS not the guar ia :
antics Of personal liberty, nor yet the PROM
billions OF invasion of individual rights
These had been declared with equal clear
ness and vigor five centuries before in the
great charter at Runnymede, and transmit
ted from 'isire to SON. they had been en-
grated upon the Colonia! Governments
and were the recognized muniments Of Am
erican liberty. fa KS
1t was the nice adjustment Of the rela,
tions of the State aud Federal Government
| by which they both became coordinate and
essential parts Of one harmonious system
1t was the nice adjustment Of the powers
Iof the State and Federal Governments, b,
which was left-I do not say given-to the
States the exclusive guardianship of theil
domestic affairs, and of the interests o.
their citizens, and was granted to the Fed
eral Government the exclusive control o
their international and interstate rela
tions. Esl
Twas the parsimonious economy of tht
powers of the States with which the Fede
raj Government was endowed. It was thu
paucity of subjects and of powers with
drawn from the States and committed t.
the Federal Government. It was the few
ness of ends to be attained and Of means
wherewith to attain them, intrusted to thi
Federal Government. 1t was the recogni
ton of the idea Of Confederation the ap
probation of thevalue of local selfgovern
ment. 1t was the recognition that tn
States were the creators and their power
were inherent, and that the Federal Gov
4 eminent was the creature and its power
were delegated. 1t was the defnation 0
4 Federal authority and of State rights con
itained in those clauses Of the Constitution
which declare that the Constitution and tn
laws passed in pursuance thereof are su
preme, and that all powers not delegated +
Congress, nor prohibited to the States. b
the Constitution-nark the words-ar
4 Preserved. ere r.. ,,ts 4. "a 80
i 1t was this which made Union possibl
by reconciling Union with liberty, whic
endued the Government with all needfl
vigor, and invested it with all the power
necessary for either peace or war, witbol
committing to it either the interests
communities or the rights of individuals.
This spirit animated those who held al
thority for quarter Of q century after til
, second Administration, and with rare e,
ceptions, until lately, have held it ev'
since And just in proportion as the Fee
eral Government has been held strictly
this idea Of its original formation, has
secured domestic tranquility and the sbles
| |ings of liberty" Az
1t must be 80. Reason aud history alil
mot only the history of our own brief lii
, but also the history Of dead and living. ell
, pires, teach us that consolidation is despo
. ism--that confederation is the only hope
i liberty. ssiaf1 tt
The tendency Of our day is towards co
, solidation, and there is from this tenden'
|, more danger to the Constitution, to ii
!, cause OF republican government, to the te
!. ritorial unity of the States, than from {
q the ordinances of secession, or from all II
! aimed hosts Of the Confederates. Ibele
. there is more danger in the single propo;
ton, broached not long since in Washin
ton, and more lately in this city, thattl
Southern States shall be denied represent
: ton, nay, that their very Statehood sh.
q lie denied them until they shall assent
changes id the Constitution, than from
other causes together. 3s II 81
'f1 Congress has been in session scarce
e ten days, and we have already propositio
so to amend the Constitution as to depri