This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 Excerpt: ... the general words "all debts" were not intended to be taken in a sense absolutely literal. We proceed then to inquire whether, upon a sound construction of the acts, taxes imposed by a State government upon the people of a State are debts within their true meaning. In examining this question it will be proper to give ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 Excerpt: ... the general words "all debts" were not intended to be taken in a sense absolutely literal. We proceed then to inquire whether, upon a sound construction of the acts, taxes imposed by a State government upon the people of a State are debts within their true meaning. In examining this question it will be proper to give some attention to the constitution of the States and to their relations as United States. The people of the United States constitute one nation, under one government; and this government, within the scope of the powers with which it is invested, is supreme. On the other hand, the people of each Slate compose a State, having its own government, and endowed with all the functions essential to separate and independent existence. The States disunited might continue to exist. Without the States in union there could be no such political body as the United States. Both the States and the United States existed before the Constitution. The people, through that instrument, established a more perfect union, by substituting a national Government, acting, with ample power, directly upon the citizens, instead of the confederate government which acted with powers, greatly restricted, only upon the States. But in many articles of the Constitution the necessary existence of the States, and, within their proper spheres, the independent authority of the States, is distinctly recognized. To them nearly the whole charge of interior regulation is committed or left; to them and to the people all powers not expressly delegated to the national Government are reserved. The general condition was well stated by Mr. Madison, in the Federalist, thus: "The federal and State governments are in fact but different agents and trustees of the people, constituted w...
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