Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-01
THE POLITICAL TRADITIONS OF
THE FATHERS.

ing statesman once called our Union a
republic of republics. He was quick in
comprehending the system by which sepa-
rate republics, otherwise independent and
sovereign, had united in creating common
and indestructible government for all, for
purposes which were clearly defined and
which could best be accomplished by such
union. He saw that the framing Of the
system was the deliberate voluntary act of
the States and their people, done with much
deliberation, after long and earnest debate,
and done in every instance for their own
good. He saw that it was no part of
their design to erect a power to as
sumo for itself new and i'm
portant functions, but such
power only as would accomplish declared
and limited purposes, while preserving its
own existence. He recognized their design |
to make the new government elective, rep
resentative, equal, equitable, circumseribed
and limited by fundamental agreement |
to make it a republic; but he did not fail |
! to see and to note that the members Of the |
Union so made were also republics, left
free in the exercise of all powers not trans
ferred. If it appeared to the very learned !
and profound French thinker that the
States intended to make permanent gov
eminent capable of self-preservation; it was
also evident to him that the people Of the
States intended that the governments Of
their respective States shouldFn like manner
be permanent, with inherent authority
to maintain integrity, unity and
liberty, each for itself. This is the
basis of the fabric of the Amer
lean confederated system Of free States
and the material with which it is con-
structed. 1t is not, therefore, strange that
the people regard with jealousy any en-
croachment by the Federal head upon the
rights thus reserved to the States. Gov.
Parker, of New Jersey, devoted consider
able portion of his inaugural, delivered on
the 10Th of January, to discussion of the
limitations of the Federal Constitution and
the rights of the States under that instru-
ment. He said:
"The question of State rights is now of
much Importance. Since the rebellion there
is a growing disposition to ignore the politi-
cal existence of the States, to treat them as
] subordinate to the Federal Government, and
to centralize power in the President and
!, Congress. The disastrous consequences of
l the heresy OfsecessiOn have driven unrefect-
ing and preiudiced minds to the opposite ex-
treme The modern doctrine is that the States
hold their powers at the will of the nation;
that they have no inherent vitality, and are
> without authority, except in subordination
to the Federal head. This is consolidation
in its worst form, and if carried to its logi-
e cal result will change free government into
: despotism. The time has come when all
who value the institutions established
through trial and privation by the wisdom
:, Of our ancestors, and who cherish the prin-
!, ciples on which our government is reared,
!. should forget minor differences of opinion
and unite in opposing tie progress of this
, dangerous doctrine"
; Although our institutions have been sub
jected, during the past ten years, to the Sc
verest ordeal through which they have yet
!. passed, the theory of the rights
q of the States has not been con-
\ coded by any considerable portion Of the
: intelligent, thinking people Of this country.
0 Partisans may affect to believe that the
J, States have no rights which the Federal
Government is bound to respect, until they
! are placed in the position that Gov. Palmer
Of Illinois, has been by the usurpations Of
s the Federal head, when they will be as
n ready as he TO assert the right Of the States
n to manage their internal affairs. No intel.
/ ligent man, not Influenced by prejudice OF
i partisan considerations, comedies that the
Il Federal Government possesses to-day any
II other powers than those granted it by The
/ States and the people. The promptnes'
o with which Gov. Palmer protested agains
d Federal encroachment shows healthy sen
/ timent in the North, where, perhaps, W.
d should have least expected such an eXhibi
,e ton. He seems, however, to have accom-
Ie plished little more than protest, for tht
II Federal troops have never been removed
h from Chicago. They appear to have beer
le left there by Grant as a standing menace
% The entry Of the wedge has beer
IS made in Illinois: will it be tried il
# other Northern States? The Southern
States have been compelled to submit to us
(, urpations by the Federal head without pro
i: test, for the reason that the Governors o
d these States are either in league with Gran
or are only too glad to see the people of the
a South Inundated. The discussion of the
/ rights ofthe States by Gov. Parker, is, there
: fore, exceedingly well-tined, and we make
n this extract from his address:
l 1.-The foundation principle Of our politi
I cal system is the inherent sovereignty of the
2. people, always existing by right, yet to some
extent in allegiance understhe Colonial Gov.
! eminent. Upon declaring independence Of
the mother country, State Constitutions
. were formed, by which the people vested il
4 the States all necessary governmental
powers. In order to form a union
stronger than that which existed
under articles of confederation and
create a Government to hold inter-
course with foreign powers, and provide for
q the common defence, the Constitution OF
e the United States was subsequently framed
q. by delegates from the several States. That
instrument recognized State Rights in direct
u terms, and expressly provides that the
u United States shall be a Government OF
5, limited powers, reserving to the States and
the people all powers not therein granted to
the General Government. a small portion
, of the powers already vested in the States
> was taken from them and delegated to the
e Federal Government, leaving all others to
remain as before.
! "Within their legitimate sphere the sew
u eral States are as free and sovereign as is
: the United States within its sphere. They
are not subordinate, but coordinate, and
their lawful rights cannot be taken from
them by Congress or President. The re-
! served rights they hold are absolute and
not subject to the discretion Of Federal au-