The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-25

When it was known that Alr. Justice
Sharswood united in the last opinion of the
Supreme Court IN which the new constitu-
ton was characterized as ssOdiohs, and the
doctrine asserted that 'tho inniienablc and
indefeasible right Of the people 70 alter, re-
form, OF abolish their government IN such
manner rs they may think proper, was cir
cumscribed by the viii OF thn Legislature,
there was general surprise The people
wese shocked that the .'Bill OF Rights
could be abolished By judicial opinion. Il
has never before been asserted chat the SUI
preme Court had any such function. TO rs
sumo jurisdiction over political questions
as the final arbiter between the sovereign
power Of the people and their agents, was
never delegated TO amy one coordinate de-
partment Of the State, Or indeed, the
national government.
These opinions are as old rs our State and
national systems We find alr Justice
sharswood, by his silence at least, consent
ing to this new dogma that the Supreme
Court can control, limit, and defy the Win Of
the sovereign poWer-the pcople-oyer Che
form Of their State government. But April
IA, 1884, at the Commissioners Hall,
Northern Liberties, in this city, George
Sharswood, Esq, delivered an Address
upon the Rights Of the Stntes, before the
Estates Rights Association of Pennsylya-
niap at public meeting Of citizens in
honor Of tile birthday Of Thomas Jeicrs0n5
fullof the true republican doctrine.
On this occasion the old Wing party was
true to the teachings Of 'thc fathefB' of
constitutional government The guests at
this meeting were Poindextor, Preston, Bic
Drfie. Duane, Duff Green, and others.
Col Condy Raguet presided; john Conrad,
Jos. Smith, Samuel klegargee, Nathaniel
Foster, George shafBwood, and Wm. Duane
were vice presidents. we give ono or two
Of the toasts at the dinner to show the
animus Of the celebration. The eighth toast
was; ssThe Kentucky and Virginia resoiu-
tions and report Of '98-00 ngninat the alien
and sedition laws. the texf-book fiol and
aoie Of the Republican party u the COM
pany The Democratic JciIersonian Socic-
ty. May its efforts to bring back the II
publican party Of Pennsylvania 10 th1
ciples Of Democracy be crowned ~
cess" Under such nuspief8 end ~
assemblage OF wings, George Ro11I
hvered the oratiou, from which Ne c1ifa.
as follows:
Every government is but an if1oncy, np.
pointed BY the people % exercise the pow
ers Of sovereignty Inherent in them. The
people surrender no part q fncif soYcf-
eighty IN forming agOvenmcnt
IF there be any leading feature ~ our
American constitutions - IS tliia, tIlai tho
people. and the people alone ncf only are
but are acknowledged % be tic only true fov-
ercigns. Our charters are rot iht SOURCES
but only the evidence ~ our Inherent
rights
But It is concluded tiat tie nafties have
appointed an arbifcr for the iinal settlement
of all constitutional Quesli0ns. aad that CHS
arl,iler is tho Supreme Court
ssBnt it is one thing - Inaihlain the Judi
ciaFy IN is proper apamcs - eooa co-oI-
6inate branch 81 thc government ~ O very
important auxiliary check npon unc0natili-
tional acts, anG anothei aed onlIltig di6ef-
ent thing % invest g with paramount ~.
thoritg, with q Supreme political power
which the Constitution never intended io
give il.
While &c Is true the above ifci relate
10 the Supreme Court 81 the Omitted taiee
they embody principles ticll feiaie
fully, and govern g. entirely, tie te Sd.
premc Court under State cons fntion
L Is IN vain nov o ei 40 fle d5tIinc
that the Supreme Coc1 e1n os1sp TIC
power Of controlling tie action of fhe sore.
reign people n1deF TIC protest. of deciding
question "a las o. equity f+ised before
bY private cifizcn ia 80 other alesiion.
especially III al issnu between Tie s0fe
rcig1 power of tAc people and their ser.
yanlt. neither LeRiI I1rure nor courts, co-or-
dinaie branches q Fogefni1c1.l can fof
moment exercise the lgiit 10 control. limit
Or deny the inbczenf iroeicesitIe f1it 81
tie aQFereien people % change fcloIln. On
abolish their form 81 gDFcfDmcnl a tie4
Bl1T think proper. such "a 1nIDfi0n