But On This Head I Have Already Said What
Little I Have To Say.
New States may be admitted by Congress, but the bounds of no old
State shall be altered without the consent of such State.
Congress
shall have power to rule and dispose of the Territories and property
of the United States. The United States guarantee every State a
republican form of government; but the Constitution does not define
that form of government. An ordinary citizen of the United States,
if asked, would probably say that it included that description of
franchise which I have called universal suffrage. Such, however,
was not the meaning of those who framed the Constitution. The
ordinary citizen would probably also say that it excluded the use of
a king, though he would, I imagine, be able to give no good reason
for saying so. I take a republican government to be that in which
the care of the people is in the hands of the people. They may use
an elected president, a hereditary king, or a chief magistrate
called by any other name. But the magistrate, whatever be his name,
must be the servant of the people and not their lord. He must act
for them and at their bidding - not they at his. If he do so, he is
the chief officer of a republic - as is our Queen with us.
The United States Constitution also guarantees to each State
protection against invasion, and, if necessary, against domestic
violence - meaning, I presume, internal violence. The words domestic
violence might seem to refer solely to slave insurrections; but such
is not the meaning of the words. The free State of New York would
be entitled to the assistance of the Federal government in putting
down internal violence, if unable to quell such violence by her own
power.
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in
pursuance of it, are to be held as the supreme law of the land. The
judges of every State are to be bound thereby, let the laws or
separate constitution of such State say what they will to the
contrary. Senators and others are to be bound by oath to support
the Constitution; but no religious test shall be required as a
qualification to any office.
In the amendments to the Constitution, it is enacted that Congress
shall make no law as to the establishment of any religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; and also that it shall not
abridge the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of petition. The
government, however, as is well known, has taken upon itself to
abridge the freedom of the press. The right of the people to bear
arms shall not be infringed. Then follow various clauses intended
for the security of the people in reference to the administration of
the laws. They shall not be troubled by unreasonable searches.
They shall not be made to answer for great offenses except by
indictment of a grand jury.
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