Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1872-01-17
CLEARFIELD, Pa, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY II, 1872


mites, bound in league OF friendship
for the surer protection of the sover-
eighty and independence Of each one.
When the treaty of peace was made
with Great Britain, in 1888, each
State was named as q sovereign and
Independent party TO the treaty. This
same treaty also shows that Congress
has no sovereign power, but it is TO
be regarded only ms the agent OF the
State sovereignties Here is what il
says: at is agreed that the Congress
shall earnestly recommend it TO the
legislatures of the respective States
TO provide for the restitution ofall the
estates, rights and properties which
have been confiscatcd, belonging to
real British subjects" This is an en-
phatie avowal that Congress was TO
have no power over the action Of the
States except merely to recommend to
their legislatures what is best and
proper TO secure the citizens Of the
States in their just rights.
In 1882, in u treaty between the
United Netherlands and the United
States of America, ,namely y, New llamp.
psbire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
and Providence Plantation, Connect.
cut New York, New Jersey, ,Pcnnsylva-
MIA, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina and
Georgia, all the States were separate.
ly named in the title Immediately
after the peace with England was dc.
clared, in 1888, a treaty was signed
between "the king Of Sweden and the
thirteen United States of America"
In 1855, followed treaty with Prus.
sia, with Morocco in 1857 with
France in l7SS, in all of which they
name the thirteen States as indcpcnd.
ent sovereignties to the treaties.
What answer but such as would be
utterly unworthy of any man Of rc-
spectacle intelligence, can be made
to these incontestablc proofs Of the
original and absolute sovereignty of
the States The opposors OF State
rights say, "that at the formation Of
the Constitution the individuality and
sovereignty of the States were merged
in the federal government" The
operations of the government for
eighty years since the adoption, and
the history of the Constitution proves
the folly and impudence of such an
argument 1t was no part of the de.
sign of the new Constitution to con.
tract the sacred domain of State SOW
ercignty, but TO delegate certain
general powers to the federal govern.
ment for the good OF tho several
States The severality of the States
is affirmed in the second sections Of
the first article of the Constitution.
1t was not the intention TO form n
new system Of government, when the
convention was called to frame tho
Constitution. 1t was not the intcn.
tion to change the character Of the
States, in relation to sovereignty, but
to "alter and amend the articles Of
confederation" The objects of the
constitutional conventions were clear
ly stated by Governor Patterson, of
the State Of New Jersey. Hear what
he says "Let us consider with what
powers we are sent here. Tho basis
of our present authority is founded on
n revision of the articles of the pres.
ent confederation, and TO alter and
amend them in part, when they may
prove defective" (Strangc words }
Here we read of man who cnquirod
what his duty to his constituents and
his country is, and said he would obey
it. How our puissant law makers
must hate the memory of such man.
Tho convention was called to give
these soveregnties new facilities,
through an enlarged and more vigor
GUS general agency, as the federal
government, and not to annihilate the
sovereignty of tho States. That's
what Governor Patterson meant
He knew that all sovereign power
was fixed and immutablc in the
States, and they did not intend TO
yield up any portion of that sovor.
eighty. Each one of the States would
have rushed to arms, If necessary, to
defend the smallest portion of its
sovereignty, All they ever proposed
TO do was to endow the federal gov
crnmont with certain powers as an
agent of their joint sovercigntcs.
Just hero an ancient landmark Of
liberty may prove instructive to those
who seem to forget all about tho early
history and the intentions Of tho men
who guided the infant steps Of the
country. In June, l776, the colonial
Legislature of Connecticut unanimous
| ly passed this preamble and resolution
WHEREAS, The King and Parliament Of Great
/ Britain, by many acts Of said Parliamcn, have
claimed aud attempted to exercise powers iucom,
patiblc with and subversvc Of the ancient and
Just constitutional rights Of this and the res o
the English colonies in America, and have refused
to listen to their many and frequent humble, de-
cent and dutiful petitions for redress Of griey'
nnccs and restoration Of snoh Of their rights aud
liberties, and turning from these with neglect and
contempt to support such claims, after series o
accumulated wrong aud injury, have proceeded t'
invade said colonies with fleets and armies, 10 de
stroy our towns, shed the blood Of our country
and are ondeayoring 10 reduce us TO an abjeet sur
render Of our national and stipulated rights, an'
subject our property to the most prccarious dtpen
dencc on their arbitrary will aud pleasure aud ou
persons TO slavery, and at length have docarc'
US out Of the Kings protection, have cngagcdior
= cigu mcrcenarlcs against US, and are evidently
and stronu0usly seeking our ruin and destruction
these aud many other transactions, too well know
to need enumeration, the painful experience an'
! effects Of which We have Suffered aud felt, max
II evident beyond the possibility of a doubt tha
We have nothing TO hope from ihe Justice, human
ity OF temperate councils Of the British King o
! bis Parliament, and that al hopes Of n rcconcilia
ton, upon just and equal terms, arc dclusory AM
vain. In this state Of extreme danger, when n
alternative is left US but absolute aud indclnt
J submission 10 such claims "a must terminate II
!. the extreme Of misery and wrochedncss, or to
tai separation from the King Of Great Britain an
rcnunciation Of all connection with thnt nation
and a successful resistance TO that force which
Y intended TO cfIcst our destruction, appealing (
+ that God who knows the secrets Of all hearts 70
: the sincerity Of former declarations Of our desir
10 preserve our ancient and constitutional rclaio
] TO that nation, and protesting soemuly ngain'
( their oppression and injustice which has draw
' Us from them and compelled us 20 such mcau
3 ~ God In his providence has put In our power 70
! Our ucepaenrv fIpf,suap aul