Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-02-14

The State of Pennsylvania, in acting
upon these amendments, is called to
perform the most important act that
can devolve upon it under the Federal
Constitution
In the performance of this duty, the
individuality ofthe State is recognized.
It's assent or its dissent is the assent
or the dissent of an integer, which is
an essential part Of the whole. One
out Of many, is the legend upon the
banner OF the Republic. Pennsylvania
is one that aids TO form the many
the equal Of each, the superior of none.
In this the three millions of people
that throng our cities and people our
valleys are but the equal Of the two
hundred thousand that form tho State
OF Rhode Island.
There are counties within our bor-
ders that exceed in size and population
the whole of Rhode Island, and yet,
for this purpose, our aggregate is one,
their aggregate is one. Population,
wealth and size entitle US to fifteen
votes where Rhode Island has one,
yet, in acting upon these amendments,
we have consented to yield our pre-.
ponderance and be her equal
Who shall be q citizos, and what
shall be our representation in Con
gress, are essential questions in these
amendments, and both are fpractical
Importance to every citizen Of the
Commonwealth, and the voice and the
vote of a Pennsylvania should weigh
equally with the voice and the vote Of
an inhabitant Of Rhode island They
possess no superior qualifications have
no higher grade Of intellect, no more
lofty attainments than we, and yet
one man there is the equal Of fifteen
here. Such a rule seems grossly un-
Just, and for its existence it is impos-
sible to assign any good reason based
upon abstract justice or right 1t can
only be based upon the peculiar cir
cumstances surrounding our political
history in the past, upon our solemn
assent that it should be so, and upon
the express terms Of the Federal Con
stitution at is so nominated in .he
bond" Pennsylvania is Sta.e, Rhode
Island is State.
The absolute equality of the several
States Of the Union is one Of the plain
est features of the fundamental law,
and any change or modification there.
of which attacks this principle is
lraught with evil and revolutionary in
character. Iquote from Curtis on the
Constitution:
According to our American theory Of govern
meni revolution and amendment both rest upon
tho doctrine that the people are the source Of all
political power, and each 0i Acin is the exercise Of
on ultimate right. But this right is exercised IN
the process Of amendment 10 prescribed form,
which preserves the continuity Of the existing gov
ernment, aoi changes only such of iis fundamental
rules as require revision without the destruction Of
any public Or private righ; TIA, may bec,me vested
under the former rule.
A large majority Of the constitutions
Of the States recognize the vitality
and force of the principle, that the
people are the source Of all political
power and require amendments 10 be
submitted to a direct vote of the peo
pie for ratification. In this respect
the Constitution of the United States
is an exception to the general rule,
the power of ratification being vested
by il in the States acting through their
Legislatures, and no Submission to the
people being by itrcquired. The peo-
pie make aud amend the Constitution
of the States The States make and
amend the Constitution of the United
States, when this mode is pursued.
In these DAYS Of the aggrandizemcnt
OF the Federal power we are apt TO
think that the action OF Congress in
proposing amendments TO the Consti-
tuition is the vital act and gives them
their main force aud efficiency. Yet
il is maintained, as the better doctrine
upon this subject, that the act of Con.
gress amounts 10 no more than the
expression, in legal form, Of their opin-
ion that such amendments are neccs.
sary. Such action is neither bill nor
resolution. Executive approval is
unnecessary, as has been judicially
decided. The authorities upon this
point are collected in :ho very recent
works of Mr.. Jameson. In the con
vention that formed the Constitution,
the original proposition was, that pro-
vision for amendment should be made
without requiring the assent of Con-
gress.
If these positions be correct, and
they can scarcely be controverted, we
learn that upon the one hand the pow
or Of the people is recognized as con
ccntrated in the States, whilst upon
the other, that in this essential act Of
reproduction or amendment, the Fed
cral Government is subordinate TO that
of the State That Congress is mere
I ly the instrument for shaping the ma
tcrial, whilst the States, by their ac-
ton, yield life and power and yigor to
the amendment
Following prccedents, and implicitly
admitting these to be cardinal truths,
the resolution upon which we are to
vote, asserts the individuality Of the
State, compeis us to act as a unit and
ignores tho people. Its language is
"That the amendment as above pro
posed and submitted is hereby ratified
and adopted by the State Of Pennsyl
vania."
What, then, is "the State Of Penn.
sylvania p Whence comes its power
what hath it granted away and what
reserved z
Our colonial history is that Of an in
! rl,i nlnr thn nnln md fntnlnr. Of ihn