Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 15.pdf/264

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A Century of Federal Judicature. petual/ and when these articles were found to be inadequate to the exigencies of the country, the constitution was ordained 'to form a more perfect Union.' It is difficult to convey the idea of indissolnblp union more clearly than by these words. What can be

by Hampton L. Carson.

indissoluble if a perpetual union made more perfect is not? But the perpetuity and indissolubility of the Union by no means implies the loss of distinct and individual existence, or of the right of self-government by the States. Under the Articles of Confederation each State retained its sovereignty, freedom

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and independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right not expressly delegated to the United States. Under the Constitution, though the powers of the .State were much restricted, still all powers not delegated to the United States nor prohibited to the States,

Covrttsy of P. W. Zitfltr an* Company.

are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people, and we have already had occasion to remark at this term that the people of each State compose a State having its own government and endowed with all the func tions essential to separate and independent existence, and that without the States in