Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-08-06
STATE SOVEREIGNTY.

EDITOR c APIToLIAN-lha nave watcn-
with much interest the little con-
byersv. between the NatchitOches
Indicator and CAPIToLIAN, on the
testion of States Rights and the prin-
ples of the Democratic party, and
it'll many other long-life Democrats
ust express surprise that one who
lowed the Southern cross through
le eyentful scenes Of blood and car
age, in the inhuman war, waged by
!e Federal Government against the
outhern States, and then, after the
ose of the great conflict, during the
sriod of reconstruction, worked so
tithfully for the political redemption
I Louisiana, local self government
1d the broad fundamental princl-
les of the Democratic party, should
t this late date, renounce the main
lank upon which the party stands,
as always stood, and stigmatlze 1t
a "pernicious doctrine"
If any one, who is in doubt, or lg-
GRANT of this important question,
ill study the Constitution adopted
Y the Convention OF l7o7-which
1as called for the purpose, if posi-
lie, of forming IA more perfect I'm
,n''-the articles of ratification pass
d by the different States, from the
lose of the revolutionary struggle,
e certainly cannot come to any 9TH
conclusion titan that the States
lone are the sovereign powers, the
realtors of the Federal Union, whose
covers are delegated and extend only
0 far as expressed in the Constitution
tself. Nearly all eminent writers on
he Constitution--Mr. Story being one
f the exceptions-concur in the opln'
on or fact, that the Constitution il
compact entered into by the States
or mutual benefit and protection.
When the Convention of 1857 was
allied, some of the States hesitated
Or long time about sending dele
,ates, and little Rhode Island,
hink it was, refused to send any
delegates at all. After the Constitu
ion was framed, it was then submit
ed to the States mot the people o
he Federal GOVERNMENT for ratifica
ion. Connecticut was the first t.
atty it. The other States debated
he various articles extensively ant
he greatest contests sprung from tn
meaning of the very beginning of tn
instrument, viz: eve the people G
he United States" The House c
Delegates OF Virginia, would not agre
ratification, until it was explaine
hat this phrase did not mean tn
,eople of the United States, as a body
pne people,, but the people of tn
Itate, respectively, in their sovereig
Capacity, united under the compac
Eleven States ratified the Constitu
tion when they became convinced thu
It. did net interfere with their sovel
eighty aud deprive them of none
their rights Of local self-gOvernmen
and guarantees of Republican form
government. North Carolina was a
indepedent government for about
wear aer the ratification by the 9TH
statesand little Rhode Island a niue
LONGTIME than this and yet the
were OF interfered with. No Oh
ouesmed their right to remain o
Of thUnion. Each and every Sta
persently maintained the right
witraw from this Union, when
theindgement it was detrimental
thenterest to remain in it. 1t is
priple of law which no sane m;
wi'uestion, that where cOmpa
or'eement has been entered in
byo OF more parties, and the spi
ahtention of the agreement a
ben by one of the parties, it
is the other from the obligatiC
ahey are no longer bound by
rs the exercise of this princil
h brought about the secession
Southern States in 1860 a
and it was for the maintainar
that they resisted the coersive
,patory acts of the Federal g