Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-11

vested in the Federal Govern nment rela.
tive 70 security from foreign danger, for
regulating intercourse with foreign
nations and for maintaining harmony
and proper intercourse among tho
States. To these are added powers
concerning certain miscellaneous objects
OF general utility, such a. the grant of
patents and copyrights 10 inventors and
authors exclusive legislation over the
District OF Columbia and the forts.
magazines, arsenals, dock yards and
public buildings Of the United States
the power 70 declare the punishment of
treason the admission OF new States
the control OF the Territories and the
protection of the States against invasion
and domestic violence. Another class
Of provisions in favor OF the Federal
authority consists Of restrictions. some
absolute and Others qualified, upon the
powers OF the several States. The States
are prohibited from making treaties,
from granting letters OF marque and re-.
prisals. from coming money, emitting
bills Of credit or making anything ex.
cept gold or silver coin a legal tender,
from passing bills of attainder, er port
fdcto laws or laws impairing the obliga.
ton Of contracts, and from granting
titles OF nobility. Without the consent
OF Congress, no State can levy imposts
or duties on imports or exports, except
what may be absolutely necessary for
executing It's inspection laws nor can
II lay any duty on tonnage, keep troops
or ships OF war In times Of peace, enter
INTO any compact with another State or
with foreign Power, or er age in war
unless 10 repel invasion. This specific
enumeration Il thus minutely given
here because all other government
powers Of every kind whatever belong
under our American polity TO the sey.
eral States. The tenth amendment 10
the Federal Constitution declares that
the powers not delegated TO the Unit.
ed States 10y the Constitution, .ior pro.
hibited 10y it 10 the States, are reserved
TO the States respectively, or to the peo.
pie"
This great mass Of reserved powers
Constitutes C what is meant by the resid-
uery sovereignty Of tie States. The
phrase j. a faYorite one with the best
constitutional jurisconsults. State soy.
reigriy includes the right OF eminent
domain and the power Of life and death,
both OF which are acknowledged Attri.
butes Of supreme authority. While
the functions of the general Govern.
ment are few and definite, the powers
OF the state Government are vast in
extent and multitudinods IN their OBJ
Iects. They ! We. in fact, no limit
subject 20 the restrictions above noted
save IN that INSURE ndered Ycsid5clm Of
individual liberty the protection Of
which Il the one purpose Of free gov.
eminent. II Is the States that admin.
ister, through the machinery of their
municipal codeE-ihat grand common
Law of England which investigates and
runishes offences against public justice.
which maintains and regulates civil
privileges, and which secures the abso-
lutte and inalienable rights of the peo-
pie. II j. the States which redress our
grievances which guarantee the rights
Of person and property; which make
operative the franchises Of habeas co.
pus and trial by jury, and which c7ery-
where surround Us in our daily ayoca.
tions with an overresching and all per.
vading atmosphere Of protection"