n the threshold, that for all those
rights of the States which are consistent with the peace, security, and
permanence of the Union, according to the objects grandly announced in
the Preamble of the Constitution, I am the strenuous advocate, at all
times and places. Never through any word or act of mine shall those
rights be impaired; nor shall any of those other rights be called in
question by which the States are held in harmonious relations as well
with each other as with the Union. But while thus strenuous for all that
justly belongs to the States, I cannot concede to them immunities
inconsistent with that Constitution which is the supreme law of the
land; nor can I admit the impeccability of States.

From a period even anterior to the Federal Constitution there has been a
perverse pretension of State Rights, which has perpetually interfered
with the unity of our government. Throughout the Revolution this
pretension was a check upon the powers of Congress, whether in respect
to its armies or its finances; so that it was too often constrained to
content itself with the language of advice or persuasion rather than of
command. By the Declaration of Independence it was solemnly declared
that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and
independent _States_, and that, as such, they have full powers to levy
war, to contract alliances, to establish commerce, and to do all other
acts which independent _States_ may of right do." Thus by this original
charter the early colonies were changed into independent States, under
whose protection the liberties of the country were placed.

Early steps were taken to supply the deficiencies of this government,
which was effective only through the generous patriotism of the people.
In July, 1778, two years after the Declaration, Articles of
Confederation were framed, but they were not completely ratified by all
the States till March, 1781. The character of this new government, which
assumed the style of "The United States of America," will appear in the
title of these Articles, which was as follows:--"Articles of
Confederation and Perpetual Union _between the States_ of New Hampshire,
Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut,
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia." By the second article it was
declared, that "_each State retains its sovereignty_, freedom, and
independe