The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-21

mistaken. The question of state SOW |
ereignty, distinctively considered, had no
more to do with originating the war than
originating the man in the moon. 1t was
what the Calhoun school of politicians
claimed as " state right 1.-THE right of
any state that pleased to resume her dele
gated sovereignty.
The extinguishment of Washington's |
=" heresy" is one thing, that of Calhoun's |
another. BY extinguishing the former the
states would be annihilated and the Union
gone; by extinguishing the latter the
states are preserved and the Union
remains intact. What as state? 1t is
certainly nothing less than common
wealth, in which the supreme Tor sovereign
power is vested in the whole body of the
people. If there be no such thing as
state sovereignty, how happened it that the
idea of "treason" against the State got into
the new constitution of Virginia? Sub
scriber," if we mistake not, had something
to do with that instrument, if not, some
one bearing his name had. And how hap
pened it that the State was dubbed ma
ton" in the same instrument? And, still
more remarkably, how happened it that
the Governor was therein made the COM
mander-in-chief of the land and naval
forces of the State, with power to repel
invasion, Suppress instruction, and con-
duct all intercourse with other and foreign
states? All these are sovereign attributes
and powers. Treason" is crime that
strikes directly against sovereignty" not
against estate rights" Virginia, as well
as every other state, provides for the pun
ishment Of this high breach Of allegiance
and fidelity to its sovereign power. But
the word s'nation," as used in the new
constitution, is undoubtedly slip Of the
pen; but most unfortunate one for
"Subscriber," in his ant-republican theo
ry Of government.
The right of {" eminent domain also
implies an attribute Of sovereignty. All
photographers and publicists SO define it..
The Federal government has at no time,
| !
power, assumed to control this right within
the limits of state. Congress has re-
peatedy sought and obtained this badge Of
sovereignty from the states. 1t sought it
of the acknowledgement states during the
war, and has sought it in several instances
since and, in every instance, it has asked
for the transfer by state Of its
''sopereignty, jurisdiction, and eminent do
main" in the land conveyed to the Federal
government. Not a lighthouse, military
, post, or naval station, has been erected
within the limits of state by the Federal
government without this grant of sove-
J reignty, first had and obtained. So the
power Of adjusting state boundaries
and of making municipal or positive
law, implies a supreme authority ii
the state to these ends; especially
: such positive law as that which
;, Furnishes treason and denounces the dealt
:, penalty against offending subjects.
Subscriber" is butting his heat
!, against the strongest bulwarks of republi
: ca.ism in the Federal government, whel
= he asserts that the people of the Unitet
e States may, in their sovereign power
II change, modify, or abolish state govern
4 ment. The war wrought no such absurt
y and preposterous change as that in gu
!, system of government. If it did, our nev
;, constitution of Virginia is usurpation
"a and ought to be abolished at once, for
!. places the whole land and naval forces
. of the State in the hands OF the Governor
! to repel any invasion by the people of tn
II other states for such purpose.
i We must beg pardon of our readers 70
d devoting this amount OF space to 'sSub
S scriber's" communication. So many ques
= tons flung into mans face at once, Nigh
d justify him in brushing them aside wi,
If one dash of the pen. But we preferred t
% answer the main points civilly, and let tn
Of rest answer themselves.