The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-01-19

The question of the relation OF the
states to the Federal Government is
he cardinal question Jt our coh9ttj1-
ional system. At every turn Oh our
national development We haVe been
brought face to face with lL, ana no
definition either of statesmen or ol
judges has ever Quoted or decided 1t.
1t cannot. indeed. be settled icy the
opinion of any one generation. be-
cause it is a question ct growth. and
every successive stage of our p0itlg@l
and economic development gives ii ID
new aspect. makes it q new question.
The general lines of definition which,
were TO run between the powers
granted to Congress II the powers
reserved to the State the makers of
the Constitution were able 10 draw
with their characteristic foresight AND
luCidity; but the subject-mattar of
hat definition is constantly ch
ing. for it is the life OF the nation it
self. Our activities change alike their
scope and their character with every
generation. The cid measures OF the
Constitution are every day to be a#.a}
with new grain as the varying crop
of circumstances comes to ma.NEitr.
1t is clear enough that the general
commercial, financial. economic .a-
tereStS of the country We're meant Ln
be brought under the regulation of
the Federal Government. which acts
for all; and it is equally clear THAI
what are the general commerce
financial, economic interests Of TIN
country is a question of fact, t. s
determined by circumstances W...r
change under our very eyes, ana tt.l
Case by case. We are inevitably drawn
on to include under the established
definitions of the law matters new and
unforeseen which seem il. their mas.
nitude to give to the powers Of l.eu.
Sress a sweep and Vigor certafnu.
conceived possible bv earl.
generations of statesmen, samrff~aa
almost revolutionary even in orr oar
eyes. TIE subject-matter If this
troublesome definition is the lfsEaG
body Of affairs.
1t is difficult to discuss s.. critical
and fundamental a question csrn1s
and without party heat OF bias vrer.
1t has come once more. as il mis-
now, to an acute stage. Just ha,.--
it lies at the heart of our fonerHt.
tlOnal system, to decide II vYonory
to alter the whole structure and ui..
ration of our governments. for 100. dr.
for evil, and one would wish nevsr ru
see the passion of party toneh if t
diStOrt it. A SOLDERING sens. - st..
snonsibility should fan anon Owe.
one who handles it. Na tnan "a
argue it this wa-er~~Lat Lac-Ilar
516T7nfTgc. Desire to brfT7 III n
partial truth to light nuA auch
a case be the first dictate ii true
craftsmanship and of trut hi ism
Every man should seek t Al OF IL
and to speak of it in til ne spiri.
Of the founders of the goveuTn ut.
Almost every great ineer1i erisi
in our affairs has turnet pom the
question of stale and Fede / rights
To take but two instances, was tn
central sub5ect-matter of e grca'
controversy over tariff IEislatie
which led to attempted NJ jficauor
and of the still greater co troNe"sF
over the extension of slave which
to the War Between I'll st .s.
and these two controversies q III "
than any others in our histo 70 t"-
fermine the scope and cha Tel g.
the Federal government.
The principle Of the di -tol o"
powers between State and a'..a
governments is a very simple eEa Naea
stated in its most general te.- IL
is that the Legislature Of til aJs
shall have control of al the -fal
suh7ect-matter of law. of
rights of every kind, of lOca' ter-
ests and of everything that
concerns their people IS co 1-
ties-free choice with regafa 5l
matters of local regulation .e-
Velopment, and that Con@ro aaH
nave control only of such na ae
concern the peace and the ~" roc
OF the country as a whole. 4h-
moments of the tariff of 1924 f"a
to the tariff system which s
was so rapidly building uE il
went much beyond the Sin mo
legitimate object of prov. "0@
Federal Government with @s
in such a way as to stimulate 5H
90 much disturbing the n
Velopment of the country ano t-'
mistakably intended to guido
termine the whole trend Ot
tens economic evolution, pI
the industries of one SectioH
country to those of another ." #
StoWal of protection and er
ment n SO d%epriVing the 81 al
Self-gONeTning communities OF
economic choice in the dew "
OF thClr resources. Congress
IN its course: nEllificatlon la
even an effectual protest az
power of a government of Wh'
eral Jackson was the head
CAan 40