Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 edition. Excerpt: ... " is better to obey the laws under one ruler, than to conform to " the will of many. The object and end of an unlimited go" vernment, is to direct the actions of mankind to the glory of " the citizen, of the state, and of the sovereign. This glory in " such states, bursts forth in such great actions as are able, in the " very same proportion, to promote the happiness of the sub" jects, as liberty itself." Catharine insists on the necessity of a concentrated supremacy over extensive territories, and uses the arguments of our consolidating politicians, not forgetting to urge that ambition, from its love of glory, is equal to liberty. She asserts, in concurrence with history, that absolute power is necessary to govern an extensive territory. Between this conclusion, dictated by the laws of nature, and a territorial division of powers, lies our alternative. The geography of our country and the character of our people, unite to demonstrate that the ignorance and partiality of a concentrated form of government, can only be enforced by armies; and the peculiar ability of the states to resist, promises that resistance would be violent; so that a national government must either be precarious or despotic DEGREES. By dividing power between the federal and state governments, local partialities and oppressions, the common causes of revolution, are obliterated from our system. This division is contrived, not only for avoiding such domestic! evils, but also for securing the United States against foreign aggression. For the attainment of both ends, it was equally necessary to bestow certain powers on a federal government, and reserve others to the state governments. The two intentions poiot forcibly towards a genuine construction of the constitution, and the...