The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-06-06
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ALBANY, june ., 1870.

- ssssAH - - NV - 80 -
Editor Democrats
Ia 80 editoril of the Orcjoaian Of
The 3dth nit. will be found tho follow
ing "'rhc bAkcr City Democrat de-
mands to know Of the Orcgonian for
what purpose the Constitution was
made by tho s,atea.' The editor Of
the OreJonian answers thus: alt
would bc n Pertinent inquiry il it wcro,
true that the Constitution 'cas mnde by
the States. But the opening words Of
the preamble to the instrument itself
are these we, tho people Of the
United Shtes, in order to form more
perfect union, &c. do ordain and estab-
lish this Constitution The Conatitn-
ton therefore was not made 10y the
States and for the Stntcs, but 10y the
people and for the people Of The United
States
The mode mud manner Of framing
and adopting the Constitution of the
United States is matter Of history fR.
milar TO all intelligent citizeua except
such radicals ns have been brought up
under the tuition Of teachers of the
Oreyonioa school. The Oreyonia,. doc'
not and dare not give that history
well knowing that it would tend to snI
the foundation of itS pet theory that
"the people Of the United States" il
contrudistinction to the people Of th'
screrai States, united. made and ratified
our federal Constitution. Whilst i
may be- true that the preamble Ia 1
statute or constitution may bc usefi
TO aid in ita Interpretation, it ccrtainl,
cannot br taken nB conclusive of AM
powers therein granted or reserved.
the preamble to our federal Conhliiu
tion wns cleft oil entirely, or never ha,
beru adopted, the Constitution woul'
h.. miIl iust what it in the Consiitu
tiOn ior the United States of America
! Not ao il you a'risc from il the attestn
sior appended thereto. rs the attest
ntiun that gives validity aud anthorit
~ any ani all public acts nni the act
Of public oiIicrra.
Now lr. Us read the authenlicatio
Of that glorious old document and sc
it 'wo the people" or any people.
are named nt all
Done in Convention hy the uuan
mons consent Of the States present, th
seventeenth day of September, in III
, year Of our Lord one thousand seye
hundred aui eighty seven. ani or til
Independence of the United States {
America lhc twelfth. IN wilnc'
whrreo; Nc lave hc.enu,o sul,sciibe
our names. Signed Geo. Waalingtoi
rrcaiicn;, and Deputy from Virginia,
followed bg tho names Of the dcleeat,
from twelve S;ater. namins the Stat
each represented.
, / think. Mr.. Editor, that the decd .
g s,lcmnly executed on that occasion /
= The States as above set out, and wi
r messed by the distinguished names a
( pended thereto. Is worth thnusar
. prcainhics when looked into TO dc.c
r mine who the contracting parties wer
9 The 7th Article Of the 'Constituti,
;, snys: The ratification of the Convc
g. tions OF nine States shall bc suilieicI
! Tor the establishment of this Constit
ton between the States 50 ratiiying Il
same" 1t viii be noticed that in IL
ratification Article the people" are n
named, but the States are mentiono
: VIII the Oreyosliass editor now g
=, tighten it's bcnightcl readers for SURE
, he wrote that editorial tor sucil as
II what ''the people" Of the United Stat
Il were expected to do by, with or for su
~ States rs might stand out and refuse
o. ratiiy that Constitution : Could t
Il nine States under and 10y virtue of t
g. Constitution cocrce and bring into t
go Union those that refused their asseu
r. Mr.. Editor, beg pardon of the e
ry tor of the Beir.ck Democrat for Il
little Interference in his fight
cr ETTE.