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PUBLTSIIED BY KNAPP it JEWETT, EVERY TUESDAY M0RN1NG, NEARLY OPPOSITE THE HANK, AT $2 A YEAIl, OR $1,60 IN ADVAKCE. VOffi. V. KO. 27. MONTPELIER, (VT.) APRIlTi 30, 5SJC6. L 1 13 li U T Y O F T II E l'RES S. I''rom tlio National Iiutllijjcnccr. PKOPOSED BEPOIIT BY Mlt IIALL, OF VT. On Inccndiary l'ublicullons. IIouso of Ilcprcscntutives, April C, 1830. Mcssrs Gales fc Scatun : ln comp 1 iancc with tho wriltcn requofrt of sevcral luembcrs of tlio llouao, wliicli tlio minority of llio Coin uiitteo on tlio Post Onicu aiul Post Roads do tiot I'ccl at libcrty to ilcclinc, 1 scnd you, fur publication in tlio Inlclligcncer, n copy of tlio Bcport oflbrcd in their bchalf to tho Ilouse, on llio 2fllh nliimu. on llio subicct nf " inccn diary piiblicatiuns." Altlioii"li it rctainsils o riginal fnrm of n Itoport, i! is of courso to bo dccmed litit nn individual argument, divostcd of all oflicinl charactcr. The rcnuest of oiir rcspected Iriends is tlio more roadily cornpheu uitli, from tlic circumstanco that, on n qucs tioii decply involWng, ns tho minority belicvc tliH clocf, llio ficcdoin of tln; pross, no nrgu mciit dl uiying tho powcr of Congros.. ovcr tho eubject liaa lnthcrlu bccn givcn to the Public. Vcry rcspccthilly, Your obcdient scrvant, 11ILANP IIALL. Tlio minority Dl'tlio Coimnittco on tlio Post Ollicu ani) Post Uoddj, to whom wns roforrcd Ihat i,irt of the Prcsitlcnl'a M.-snaa which rc latos to "Iho circulation in thc Soiilncril Statcs, llirongh tlie mail, o( iiicondiary publicationR,'' r.ot luung bccn ablo to concur witli thu com. I'littoe in any niodu ol legislation on tho sub jcct, repccifully ask leatu to submit thcir iows to llio Ilouse. In considoring tlio imporlant snbjectsubmit tcd to tlic coinmitleo, the minority liavc not iindertakcn to ascertaiii what reincdics mny bo nlliirdcd by Slato legislation for tlic evils com pl.uncd oi'in tlic mcssnge, or tn inakcany par ticular oxain'malion of tlie charactcr and tcn dency of tho publications against which tho legislation of this Govcrnmcnt is recoinmciul :d. Taking it lor grantcd thal, in the opinion vj Congress, llio publications spccilied in tho inessago liavo tho dangoioiis tendenry Btatcd by tho Prpxident, thcy procccd, at oncc, tn in quiro into tho dutics and powcrs of this Gov ornmcnt in rcgard to thcir inail circulation. Suppomg the interpoaition of no constilu lional obstaclc, cilhcr of four modos of lcgis lation might bo adopted by Congress, to rc Ktrain tlio mail circulation of thcsu publica tions. 1. Ofiicers mlglit bc ajr poin tcd by tho Go vcrnmcnt to inspcct and liconao all publica tions bcforc thcy should bc allowcd admission into tlic mail, with powcr to includc tliosc of Bitcli charactcr as Congrcss might dcsignalc. 2. Congross might adopt tho lcgUlation of tlio !st.itc3 as tlic hasis ot its legislalion ; and provido that it sliould bc an nfl'cncc against tho Unitcd Statcs for any pcrson to tend through tho mail into any Statc any publication tho circulation nf nhicli was prohibitcd by tho laws of such Statc. 3. Conrcss, rcUining tlic Statc laws as tlic basis o' iit logisl.ition, iii'tght conlinc tho pcn ulliea of its laws to tho olliccro of tlic Goneral Govcmiuent, and provido for tlic punishmcnt of such postmaatcrs and othcr pcrsona cm ploycd by tho Post Ollico Dcpartmcnt as fhuulJ, lcnowinghj, transiuil lhroiigh tho mail uuy publications prohibitcd hy tho laws of tlic Statc into which they wcro dircctcd. 1. Congrcss tniglit inako it an oll'cncc n gainst tlic 'Jnitcd Statcsforany pcrjou toscnd through the mail, into nny of tlic slavcliolding Statc?, any publications which Congrcss might spccify, as havina a tcudc.icy to o.xcito llio blavcs to insurrcclion. The minority arc not awarc that any othcr dircct modcs of IcgHation bj Congrcss havo bccn buggeitcd, and, lor the prosonl, w.tiving llio question of Ihcir constitutionality, thcy will procccd to cxaminc llio naturo and charactcr of cach in its ordcr. TiioyirjJ modc, lliat of tlic cslablishmcnt of n censnrsliip ovcr all publications, for wliicli Ihc bcnclit of a mail circulation was dcpired, must ncccssarily opcrato witli cxtrcmo harsh nccs. It is nbvious thal publications could not bo liccnscd from an cxamination nf thcir titlcs, forthoso might be no indnx lo Ihcir contcnls ; nml pulitical ncwspapcrs or litcrary magaziinis, mostly lillcd uith othcr ina'tcr.", might contain bricf articles obnoxioua to tho law, rondcnng ihcir lirculation iuadinissiblc. In ordcr to tnakc thu law cfl'cctuul, a ccnfor iiiiut bo ap. pointcd in the vicinity of cvcry printing press, whosc duty it would bc to cxuiiuno cvcry iium- bcr of cvcry pcriodical, and cvcry rdition of ull ollicr publications, lor wliicli n mail circu latiuu was sought, and ccrtify thcir fitncss for tucli circulalion to tho postma3ters j or llio postmastcrH tbcmsclvce uuut bo crrctcd into ccnsors, witli powcr to brcak Ihc cnvclopcs ol ull pacKagcs ucpositcu in thcir rcspcclivc olli ccs, to iiaminc Ihcir contcnls, and cilhcr rc ccivc c transmil llicm. or enpprtss ihcir circu lation, as ibcir jud"mcuts phould dclcriiiiuo llicm tn Do in coiiipliancc willi, or u vmlation ol, llio law. uno ol tho oouous lcgnl clli-cti ol tliis modc of lc"islalinn would bo to trans fcr the puwcr ofdelcruiininga pnbliRhcr's richt to circulatc, from a jury of lus pccrs to tlic Biimmary Uiscrclion ol nny ono ol iiuiriy tliou eand iiiuividuala. Thu incdiiiiu of mail ciicu- laiion has bcrnmo fo uscful nud imporlant In lliu prcsa of llio couulry, und would bo so Iranimcllcd and obslructid by tho nri'vious submission nf all m.tttcrs to bn Iraiismillc.l to tho Iribunal of a licenccr, thal this siiccics ol consorsliip could bo tcarci ly lcss c.iccpliinnble nml opprrssivo th.in a ccnsorflnp lliul pliould cxtcnd tn llit icstraint of Ihu nctual printing ol publications. On thu wliolo. a law ofthis dc- tctiption would bo in biicli dircct nppoidfioii to nll Iho prcconcc'ncd opinions nf llio Prnplo ol iiiis coiiiurv, so iuiiiorrcni to tluir notioiis ol llio principlcs nf civil libcrty, and so utlrily -flruclivo of tho frci'doni of tho pross, llial tlic iindiTsigiicd will nnt pcrniit thcmsclvcs prri oiiiily lo npprchcnil that, iinilcr any posaihle circiiniHtanci's, euch a law can cvcrlind n pl.icc on our matuln book. Tl.cy, llu rufrpro, disinisn. tliis brancli of tlio subjcct, uillioul finllier couir rncntK. Tho ttcontl modo nf lcgirlalinn, that of pro'' lubiling tlie circulatioii by ruiiil of such publi cnlions as ihc. 8latca sliall nrohihiL hnini I'nun. hd nn thu principlca sct I'nnli in the roporl of. lliu I'oaimaiiic'r Uiiiii'ral, and liaing iilrn, a U undcrftnod, rcccivcd loiuilcnanoci from olli. or rcpfctublu kiuicci', rcijuirti n morc llmr, ougli cxainjuulioii, . . It i3 argucd by tho Postmastcr Goneral, that ns Congrcss, by the fourlli scclion of Ihu fourlh articlo ol the Constitution, is bound to protcct tho Statcs, "on application of the Lu gislature, or tlic Uxcciitivu (when tho Logisla tutc canuot bc convcncd,) from domcstic vio lciicc," Congrcss is conecqiicnlly bound to withhold llio tiso ol il mails lor tlic circula tion of such publications as tcnd to cxcitc violcncc in tho Statcs. Tlic constilulioiial qucslion involvcd in tliis argmncnt will bo cx ainincd licreuftcr ; our first objcct bcing to as ccrtain tlic cxtcnt of tliis obligation on the Gcncral Govcrnmcnt, supposing onc to cxist, and to inijuiru into tho manncr in wliicli it is to bo camcd into cfl'ccl. Tho patticular casn wliicli inducuil llio argument ot Iho r ostinas tor Gcncral ie, tlio circulation of publicntiuns which nrc nlleged to havo a tcndcncy to excitc tho slavcs to insurrcctioit ; but liis languago is gi'ncral, npplying to all publications wliicli any Statc may conccitc tcnd to instigato rcvolts froih its nuthotitlcR. If ono State has a right to call on Congrcss to cnact lawa to prcycnt tlio cflict of a mail circulation of publications within its liinits, any othcr Statc has tlio samc right; and if thcjudgmcnt of ono Slato is to bo rcccivcd as evidcnco of tho cvil tcndcncy of parlicular publications, tlio judgmcnt of cvcry othcr Statc must havo tho samc torcc, and im poso tlic pame obligation on Congrcss. A statuc, thercforc, foundcd on tliis principlc, would provido that it sliould be an offcnce n gainst the Uniled Statesfor nny pmon to seud through the niail into any Stile any publication the circulalion of Khleh mtghl bt prohibited by the Iuks of such Slate. A stalutu of Ihis dcscription would not only punish the citizcn of Massachusetts bcforc tho lcdcral court in lus Statc, for sending publica. tions by mail on tho subjcct of slavery into Georgia, but would also punish tlic citizcn of Georgia, bcforc tho fedcral court in liis Statc, for scndmg a publication on any fcubjcct into Massachusetts, that subjcct, whatevcr it might bc, having previously comc under the intcrdict of tlio law of Mussacliusctts. Nor would it limi: tho cxtent of thc opcration of tliis stalutc to providc that the law af tlic Statc prohibiting thc circulation of publications should not be fti compatible icith the Constitution and the laws ofthc Unitcd States. For it is to bo obscrvcd that, allhough the Constitution of tlio United Slates prohibits Congress from inaking any law "abridging the l'rccdom of spcccb, or of llio press," yct it contains no such prohibition on Ihc States. Upon thc subjcct ot tho press the legislation ofthc Statcs is only limitcd by thcir Statc Constitutions, and thoso Constitu tions are subjcct to no control by tho Gcncral Govcrnmcnt so long as thcy rcmain "republi can in form." It is beliovcd that tho Consti tutions of inost if not all, ol' thu Statcs con tain somc rcstrictions on tlio power of thcir Lcgislaturcs ovcr thc press, but, without such rcstrictions, thc powcr woulu uo luu anu coin plete, cvento'tho cstablisbmcnt of a ccnsor ship. It ia not ucrccivcd lliat such a powcr, alanning as might bo its cxcrcisc, would bo an infnrigcnient of tlio Constitution of thu Unitcd Statcs, or lliat iho Govcrnmcnt ot tho Union could cxcrt ovcr it any lcgal supcrvis ion. Tlio Constitutions which now contain rcstrictions are liablo to amcndincnt ar.d may be rcmodcllcd to answcr any objccts which thc pcoplo of any Slato may, for tho timo be ing, dcsiro to accomplish. A law, thercforc, mado in confuruiitv with ihc principlcs assuin- cd by llio Postmastcr Gcncral, would bo lim itcd in its opcration only by tho will of thc Pcople of any onc Statc, scrving to dcterinino what publications it should bo criminal for tlie citizcns of cvcry othcr Statc to scnd into that Htale hy mail. in rciation to puoiicauoiis on tho subjcct of slavery, ono Stato might cnact that it should bo unlawful to circulatc such publications ouly as had a inanifcst tcnilency to cxcitc tho slavcs lo insurrcclion ; anothcr, with tlio samo dcclarcd objccts in vicw, might extend thc prohibition to nll publications on Iho subjcct of blavcry j a third might conlinc its piohibilions to imwspapurs and sniall pcii odicals: a fourlli might cxcludc tho larger rc- vicws and painphlcts ; and a fiflh mightcxccpt from ils prohibition the annual mcssngcsof'tlio Govcrnors ofthc sevcral Statcs, and spccchcs in Congr.'bi, whilua sixlh migbi includu thcm. But llio opcration of the law would cxicnd to all scnliments und opinions which any Stato might ilceni ot dangcrous icnucncy. uno Rtutu might proliibit thu disscininatiun of Ihc Catholic doctrino ; anothcr, lliat of llio Pro tcstaut j one that of onc political fcntimcnt, und iinother tlutt of its opposito ; nud, undcr n luw ol tliis dcscriplion, tho cxtraordinary spcc tnblo might bo cxhibited of two district courts of tho Unilcd Statcs sitting on thn saine dny in two dilfbront States, ono cngagcd in pas sing scntencu on an individual convictrd undcr tho btalutc for fending by mail a publication iidvncuting onc opiniun, and tho ollicr pasfcing scntencu on anoliicr individual, convictcd un dcr Iho saiini (.1811110, for transmilting a public ation ol tho dircclly opposito opiuiou ; Ihu ono publication lning, porlmpp, n Batibhictor.v and coiiclusivo rcfutnlion of tho ductiincs of lliu othcr. Somo uf llio cascs cnumcratcd may bo nf improbtible occurrcnco j but thcy all lall within tho logitimalu kcopc of a statuto found cd on a Ftipposi'd oblisation in Oongrrs3 to lnnliibit thu mail circul.ttinn of publiciitioin. olK iisivc lo thu Slates, and aro ull ciifcb for uiui li, undcr hiich u slululr, u punisnuicnt inust bo inflictcd wlicncvcr thcy sliould liap pcn, This law would posscss anothcr anomnlous charactcr, for which tho minority havo poiighl in vnin for nn cxninple. It would rtfcr to Ihc laws of a fnrnin jurisdiclion for thu defiiiilion nf Iho ciimo for which it providcd n punish nient j lo laws wliicli never had bccn, nnd nc nr could lu.1, lc"ally prouiuluntcd lo tho iiccii- scd, II is n lcgal maxiin, " Ignoranli nun rx cusat lcgtm,'' thnt ignoranco o"f tho law is no cxctM-c lo tho ofl'i'ndcr. but Ihis maxiiii i fnundrd on tho piinciplc lliat Iho laws urc on rciord, opcn lo inepcction, and havo nlsd l"-cn pubhalud uilhiu thu juiisdiction unili.T which Jho oflcnco if coinmitlcd. No picbuuiption can ariso of llio lcgal promulgulion of ihc laws of n fori i"n Govi rnini'iit. and vct llio of- lcudcr, hy this Mnlutc, nonld bc piiuislicd for Ihcir violnlion, llu who would tcck lo avoid Iho pcnultirs of such u slutiilc. ni'iil. iu point nf fuct, not only nbtain a knnwlid!;o of tho CnTKtjfuiioii nnd Iiiwh of liis oivn Stnic, nnd of Uiu unltcu btulu, hut aio ol thu Corinth tiom and lam of cvcrv ollicr Stnlo in thc U- nion CuiiMitulionn and laws hIiicIi, logitlicr, would form a codc, from tlio fatlioming of which cvcn n Uolto or n llnrgravo might wcll ehrinlt, in Fomo dcgrco of dcspair. Surely, wlioiivcr, undcr thn barbarous codo of our Saxon anccstors, had sought Ihe judgmcnt of ri.l : l.: r i it.: i .ii.i-.i i juu in uin mvor, uy waiitmg ouuuioiocu uuu barcfootcd amid burning ploughsbarcs, would bo callrd upon to cncountcr n no lcss dangcr ous ordcal, in (reading tho lcgal labyrinlhs fonncd by llio provisions ofthis etatutc. But, wilhout dwclling longcr on tlio practi cal opcration of a statuto foundcd on tho prin ciplcs of tlio rcport ofthc Postmastcr Gcncral, tlie minorinly will procccd to inquire wlictber Congrcss, by making Sla'o lcgilation tlie ba sis of its uwn, would draw lo ilselj any con- stitutiotial powcr to rcstrnin tho mail circula tion of " inccndiary publications." Such con stitutionnl powcr is uotsupposed, by llio argu ment of tho Postmastcr Gcncral, as the mi nority uiidcrstand it, (o bo n gcncral power iu Congrcss ovcr (hc mail circulation of such j pulilicatioUi, but lo ba n limitcd powcr, dc pcnding on, and llowing from, ihe circuni- etancc lliat tlic publications, in llio opinion of tho Statcs, tcnd to cxcito insurrcclion. And thc prccisc qucstion now to bo considcrcd is, wlicthcr, supposing Congrcss to posscss no gcncral powcr to rcsttain the mail circulation of thcsc publicalions, thc powcr can hc dcris tdfrom the fact of their bcing offcnsivc to the Slales. It is not dcnied by tho majority that mcasurcs of thc Statcs for prevcntiug insur rcction sliould be cxamincd by thc Guncial Govcrnmcnt with rcspcct, and that this Gov crnmcnt, sofar as its ilelegaled powers will ad 7iiil, should co-opcralc with llio Statcs in tho cxccution of all thcir propcr and ncccssary lawa for lliat purposo. But tho argument of tlio Postmoster Gcncral is in favor of a deriv- atiae powcr, and supposcs a new substanlivc authonly in Congrcbs to aiisc from all allcgi.d oliligation to co-opcralo wilh tnu olates iu car rying thcir laws into rli'cct. It supposcs thc cxistcnce of somo powcr in thc Constitution, which has bccn liilhorlo dormaiit, and which, if wakcd into aclivity, nnd writtcuout at lcngtli ainong its articles, would rcad soniclhing alicr this manncr: "Whercas it ia intcndcd by this Constitution to bind Congrcss to co-operato with thc Statcs in thc mcasurcs they may a dopt for prcventing rcsistancu to Statc author i'y ; and whcrca3 it may soinetiines happen that Congrcss cnnnot rcndcr such Icgislatitc co-opcralion, by rcason that no dclegatcd pow cr is found in this inslruincnt cnabling Con grcss to do so, or by rcason that the legisla tion rcquircd by lliu Statcs is of a charactcr cx prcssly forbiddcn by somo of tlie proliibitorv clauscs ofthis Constitution : 1'iow, thcrcl'orc, it is hcrcby orduintd and dielaicd, that all Stato laws intcndcd to prevcnt rcsislance to Slnte nullionty shall bc tukcn and dtcrncd ns confcrring tho aforcsaid nccessary poncr on Congrcss; and Ihc snid Slato laws shall nlso bave tho cfl'ccl lo roplcal, ro tanto,M Iho pro hibitory clauscs ol' tlio Coiisliliition wbii h ininht iccm to stand in tlie way of 'ihc iilore- saul congreSsional lcgislaiion." 11 Imisi i)C uiiiiaicjiL inui iiuiuiuu biiuriui t. . .1.... . .1 .. tho tiowcr licrc statcil would Du uilfcnuiul 1 , i i .1. ..-:.. f.. ' to coiucr tlic rcip.iirun ituiuuuij un wu- j gr!bs. No nrgtimcnt in fiivor ofthis powcr can be drnwn liom any supposcil piinciplca of intcriiiitiontil luw. J'or tiltliotigli tlie Gcncral Govfrnmutit. in ic&ncct to lorcign i nntions, is ncccssarily Milijectto the pcncinl rnlcs which tlio inornl s-cnsc of lnankiiul may liavo iu Kome muasurc picscribt'd to rcgulate tlic intcrootirtu lictwcun iiidcpuii- dcnt l owcrs. yct, in rcgaru 10 ine rciiiiiona liutwccn tlic GuncinlGovcnitiicntaiul thosu of tlic Statcs, tlie uncortain rnles of the na tinnal code aro nbrogatcil and kiipcrsedcil uv nn iiistrumcut ot uovurnincnt. in wliicli those relutions nro cxprcssly poinlcd otit and (lcllncd. Wlicthcr sucli itcrivntivu powcr oxistaor not, cun only la uctcriniiicd liy that iiistrinncnt. Tlic powcr can coinu from no otlier sonrcc than tlie Constitution; its cxistciicc cun he tned liy no othcr cvi- dencc. Tlic minority liavc no hcsitniiun in sajing tfmt, in thcir opinion, no such powcr is'dclogntcd liy that instriinicnt ; nnd thcv liavo ns little in dcclariut' tl.ut no kiicli powcr ougut to bc dclofjatcil. llic pioln Liiion of ofrcn.sive ptiblicntious ia but one ninong tlie tnnny mcans which n Statc mny uso to prcvent instirrcction. w jiat ilangcrs would uribu I'roin tlio c.xcrciso of u powcr of co-ipcration, riding ahovc thc prohihitoiy clauscs of thu Constitution in othcr caus thtiii thosu ot the circulation ol ofleusivu publications, it is not now iicccs.sary to in quire; tlinugh tliose of an aluriuiug char actcr might iradily lic nmtcd. Evcn undcr this brnncli ofthc powcr, tlic tleiivitivu an thority btijiposcd would cuablu u Stntu cimi liiucd with Cougre&ito suhvertbomo ol'lln: most vnlucil provisions ol'tliu Coiisiituiioii ; iiuil couplcd with tlie oliligutiou iinilei which it is allcgcd to tiribc, by plucing Con grcbs nnd tlio wholu l'coplu of thu l.'nionnt llio mcrcy ol'tho Statc nlonc, would rcndcr tho Constitiition of little aluc. Of tho ij'itiguious niituro oflhis tiiiiuipliant powcr iu Slato luwti, bonictliiiig niay bo sccn by rccurriug to wliut hns alrcady bccn baid of thn c.Mcnt of tlio suipuacd oliligutiou, lioiu which llio powcr ol Coucrcssi is sought to bo ilciluccil uu obligatioii which iiiighi compcl Congrcbs lo piohibit thu mail circu lation of all publiaitious on any mliject, wlicthcr mornl, physicnl, ruligious, or polit ical; und wliicli, ut tlio option of n single Statc, would imposu on Congrcss tho liu iniliHting nnd stv'idal nct nf uidiug by its lcgisliition in lmudnging thc cycs of cvcry litf ninti iu such Stutu iiL'aiust thu light of nny nrgunient it might dcsiro lo addrces thcm in fhvor of its own just nowcis of govcriuuciit, or ngnin-t uuy iiiiiuwl'ul ns-b-uiuptinn of powcr by biicb Slatc. lliul tlio projcct of Ihc Miiiiito now undcr cous'ulcru liun bccn llio law of tho lauil in 18;!'.', it would litiv c bccn nntircly iu tho powcr of tho J.cgiiiluturo of South 'Camliiin, by pru bibiling tlio ciiciiliiiiou of iho I'l cbidcnl's I'louluuiiition, to Imvo mndu tho 1'icsidcnt b'uuEulf, nud cvcrv iudividiiul iu thu uatiou, liablo to puuislimt'iit I cforo tho courtHof lliu L'nitrd Nntcf, lurdui'ctiiig to nn uiliab ilnut uftluit Statc, inui placiug iu tho inull, n Miiglo copy ol'thnt ilocuincui. show tho oxtMcuoo ol'tliU (ililigntiotij that ariiclo of tlio Constitution is cilcil, wliiclj providcs that Congress, undcr rcr tain circiinistanccs, shall lirotect tlio Stntoi from "(loincstic violcnco." It is to bc ob scrvcd, thnt such protcction can only bc givcn on spcciul "iipplicntion of llio Lngis latiirc, or, whcn Iho Lcgislaturo caiinot bo convcncd, of thc Exccutivo of tho Statc," and that thcn it is to bo of an cxcctitive, not u legislntivc clmrnctcr. It is ouly whcn rcsistatice to Stute attthoriiy bccomes sufii cicntly ularining to induco the Stutc Gov crnmcnt to npprchcnd tho incflicicney ol iis own menns to supprcss it, tnnt it mny dcmuud of tlio Gcncml Govcrnmcnt to fur uish from its policc, its urmy. its navy, or m.litnf, u sufnVicnt forcu to vindicuic tho suprcinncy of Slato nutliority; nml such reqtiisition, by the tcrms and spirit of (he Constitution, must bo obcycd. Instead nf provinga Icgislattvc obligatiou on Congrcss, 1 it Kcmns to thu minority that tho langungc af this vcry nrticlo is almost, if not quitc 1 onclusive, to show that thu I'rnincrs of tho ( Constitution intcndcd to cxclado from Con . grcss thc powcr to nid Stnte legislation by , legislation ol its own. un nny othcr sup position, liow can thcir cxtrcmo caution bo accouutcd for, of making tlio nid of tlic Gcncral Govcrnmcnt of pitroly nn cxccu tivu charactcr ; of pnsiponing Mtcb nid un til actual violcncc has occurrcd, nnd thcn not sufl'cring it to bc givcn until n formnl and dircct application has beun mndc, firt, by tlio Statc l.egisluture, if practicnlilo ; if not, thcn from the Exccutivc ? Could thc fratncrs of tliis Cotibtitution liavo siipposod that n previous Jeisntivo oliligation cxis ted? Or rathcr, if thcy had mtendcd to imposc uuy such obligation, would it not, likc thc exccutivc obligulion, havo bccn cx prcsscd, and (heterms and conditions of its oxcciitiou liccn equally wcll guardcd and 1 dcfincd ? But ono unswcr cun bo civcii to ' tlie.se qucstinns. Thu powcr of lcgislalivc uid was designcd to bc cxcludcd. Our previous notions of this branch of coiiMitutional luw are not crroncous. A Stato canuot call on Congrcss to mnkc luws for thc innilinicnt of ofl'cnccs ugainst Statc uuthority, as for (hc punh-htnent of laiccny, arson, robbcry, or rcs'tcnce to State proccss or laws. It is not iu tlic powcr of Congrcbs toexalt ofl'cnccs agaitiFt thc Slates into ofTcnccs ngainst the Gcncral Govcniincnl. The jurisdiclion of tho Gcn oral Govcrnmcnt is coufined to ofl'cnccs agaitibt its own nutliority, aud canuot by any )iroccss of mybtification, bc cxtcndcd to'olicnces nguiiibtj tho nutliority of tho Statcs. And if Congress canuot within tlie limits of a particular State convcrt ofl'cnccs against that Stato into ofl'cnces agaiiibt thc Unitcd Statc., equally uuconstitutionul would bc thc cxercise of this powcr of transmutntion on acts committcd uithout llie Stnto jiii ioiliotinn. Altbnii(b Congrc&s may prcscribc, nml has prcscribcd, tlic modc hy which thu nrts ot thu Lcgislaturo of nuo Slatu mny be provcd in tlic courts of a sistrr Smtc, yct Congrcss posscsscs no powcr lo iniiko "thc law.s of ono Suito lln; rulo of ni'tiou iu anothcr, und to imposc within that othcr u puuibhmcnt for thcir violction. Whcn Congrcss has original coiiftitutioiuil nutliority ovcr a subjcct, it may doubilos odojit Stato legislation as the bubis of its own. A provision iu tho stut ule of August 7, 17c0, declaring that all pilots bliall continue to be rcgulatcil by tho laws of the rcspective Statcs in which thcy may bc, "uiifi. Jurlher Itgislative provision shn'll It mndc hu Congress," is an cxuniplu of this kiud ot legislation. But Congrcss iu such casc, instead of adopting, may, in its discrctiou, omit to iccognizo tlic Slato law, und supurscdu it by fnll and complctc lecislation ovcr the vthole subjcct. 'Thu ronclusion thcn to which wo aro (bawn is, that if Congrcss 1ms coniaitutionnl powcr to lcgnlnto lor ine supprcssiou oi thu mail circulation of such pulilicatiotis as may bu ofl'ctisivo to tlie Statcs, CotigrcbS may cxcrcisu that powcr to thc fullcst cx tcnt, and can dcr'nc no constittitional aiJ from any rcfcrenco to Stato laws. If Con "rcss may pas-s tha uct undcr ronsiilcrulion, nllowing the States for it to judge of thu clmrncter of thc publications to bc prohib itcd, Congrcss may omit todclcgato powcr, aud cxcrciso it itsclf. Congrcss may, und should, aceording lo nll the principlcs of lui'Mntion licrctolbre obscrvcd, tully dcfmc, c.cl itsclf, tho crimc for which lliu iniiiiHliiiicnt is to bo inflictcd. As bcfore bhown, Congis would, by this Mntiilu, coiillllll to ine Hcveiiu nuuts uiu uii.i n piosrrihing in thcir discrctioii, any and all publications, on any und nll publications, on uuy nnd ull subjccis. If thc btatuto undcr considcniiimi would bu constiiutionnl, it wiiiiTTT bc I'liiinllv M) wcro it u nnrt of its provisions, that no publications on the sub-1 jt'Ct of slnvcry, nune ndvocating thn rcli-j gious bc.licl of tho Anninians, thc t,uivm ists, or tlicL'nitariuns, nuuu inaiiituining llio doctiincs of nullincniioii, nnd noue im pugiiing thu principlcs nf thc Achuiuistrn liou, or tlie couduct of ils olliccrs, should liavullio advnnlugo of a mail circu ution ; for all tlic.bc. und an indcliuitu vuricty of otlier publicatimis uru within tbu scopo of 1 tho povvcrs comniittcd to thu Stato Lcgis-! iiiiiif'4 liv ilui nriivisioiiH of this IH't. - ' Wlicthcr" Cougrt'bs hus the consiituiioiial ' jiowcr lo piisssiich uu uct will bo uxuinnicd iicri'iiftur. Tho minor'uy will now pnicned to notico tli.' third iropohCil modo of lcgisliuton, which conliiics its penaltics to the olliccrs ol'thu (Jeui'rnl GovKiunicnt, nnd providcs for tbu punihbuicnt of pobtmnbtciH nud oth cr pcitons cniploycd by thu Post Ollico ncpniliucut for 'knomngly 'trmisinitting through tho tuuils any publications pm bibilcd by iho laws of tho Statcs lo which thcy nr dircctcd. 'i'lio cnnbtilulioiiul powcr which is clnim cd iu Cnugrcts to niako ihis law, icsis upon llio samo basis with that which wo liavo juet bccn coiuidiriiig. Aduiitl'mg ihu Congrcss hns no constittttionnl nutliority to judge of (be tcndeucy of iiublications, it assumcB n powcr in Congrcss to nct upon nml carry into cfl'ccl thu judgmcnt which may bo furmcd of thcm by thu States. Tlmt no such power cxists has becn ulrcady bhown, nud tlionrguincnt will not be tigain rcnentod. But ccrtaiu acts of Congrcss, which hnve bccn sujiposcd to l'orni prccc dents for this speciesof Legislation, rcquirc to bo nnticcd. It will be rcmcmbcrcd that tho qucstion is not now whctbcr Congrcss posscsscs tho Constittitional power to maku thia law; but wlicthcr such powcr cau bo dcrived from thc Stato laws, or, in othcr word., wlicthcr thc Stato laws, per sc, im poso ati obligation or conter n powcr on Congicss, to punish its ofiicers Ibr vjolatiii thcm. T'lij; tninority adtnit lliat if Congrcss ; o-"scss original constitutiotial powcr ovcr lliu subjcct, it niay so punish ils ofiicers. Tho fricmlsj ofthis meusuru.conccdiiig tliat no such original constitutional powcr ovcr "inccndiary publications" uxists, seek to derivo it from the nutliority of Statc logis lution. lu favor of ihis uenvative powcr, tlic nei of (hc 2dth of l',cbruaty, 180:J, on titlcd " an act to prcvent thu importatimi of ccrtnin pcrsonsinto ccrtaiu Slates, wliiiie,bj the laws thcrcolj thcir ndmission is prohib itcd," has bcon biipposcd to be a preccdent. This act, on cxuiuinatiu!i, will bc found to havu no bcaring ou thc qucstion of dcriva tivo power. It was jiasscd in virttic of uu original Constitutional autborily in Con grcts ovcr tlic subjcct on which it ojicratcd. The act, it will be obscrvcd, was pasifcd iu lSCH, aud providcd for tlic piiiiishiuciit, nnt spccially ofthc ofiicers of Govcrnmcnt, but of all persons ulio sl-i uld bo conccrncd iu thu impoitation of blnvcs into nny Slato which had pioliibitcd, or sliould proliibit, thcir impoitation. It did not rcfcr (o thu Stato laws for a dcscription of thc oflcnco, but fully delincd it. Now for tlie constitu tional ground ou which this nct restcd. Tlic Ulb scc(iou of thu 1st articlu ofthc cousti tuti n, so far as is mutcrial to ihisqucbtion, is ns fbllows: "The migrnlion or 'mipnrta tion of such pcrsons, as uuy of tlie Statcs now uxisting shall think propcr to itdmit, shnll not be prohihitcd by Congrcss prior to thc ycar onu thousand eight bundrcd nnd ciglit." This nrticlo wus a lempornry und limitcd rcstriction on tho gcncral pow er of Congrcss, ''to rcgulato commercc." Without it, Congrcss might have inimcdi alcly prohibitcd tliu iniportation of slavcs into nll tho stntcs ; hut, witli it, Congrcss could not until thu ycar 1603, proliibit thcir importntirm into nny of tho Slales that should think prnper to mlinit thcm. On thc powcr of Congrcss to piohibit thcir im poitation inlo such Statcs as should noilldnk pioper lo admit thcm, tliis articlu of tlie con stitution itnposcd no rcstriction. Previous lo the ycar Jfc'08, sevcral ol'tliu Statcs ha ing prohibitcd thc admission of slavcs, Ihc original nutliority of Congrcss oer tho btibjcct, undcr llie power "lo rcguhtto coni mcicu," caniu into I'ull opcration so far us it rcspcctcd thosu Statcs, aud undcr tlmt powcr tho act undcr considcrntion wns jiasscd. It is, thercforc, apparcnt tlmt this nct is no precedent for llio dorivativu pow cr contcuded for, but is only nn example of thu cxercise of original coustitulinual nu tliority. Thc nct of Fobruury 25, 170U, ciititlcd, "An nct rcspcctingquaiantinc und hcallb I.iwf," rests also on (be bame consti (iKionul basis. That nct, iu bubstancc, ru cognizcs thc validity ofthc quuroutiue aud hculth laws of (hu Statcs, and dirccls the rcvcmtc und vthcr qfjiccrs ofthe Kavcrnmcnl lo co-opcratc lu'.'t thc Slate uuthorities in tlmr eiecution. llicse laws nct upon a subjcct on which thu powcrs of tho Gcn cral Govcrnnieiit nnd those of the State Govciumcnts wcre pcculiarly liablo to pro ilucc conflicting legislation. ' Tlic Gcncral Govcrmnent hns tlic c.Nclusivo powcr to "rcgulato couuncrcc with forcign nntions aud among the Statcs." llcalth rcgulations, biiing niattcrs of intcrnal policc, bclong on ly lo thc Statcs. The laws which might bo pusscd by thc two uuthorities, undcr thcsc two powcrs, would froqucntly opcrato on pruci.soly tho samc (biiig. Tlic samc cargo of goods which was thc subjcct of coin nicrcc, might also contniii the sceds ofdis casc. In ordcr to proniote the objccts of couuncrcc, congrcss might dcsirc tlmt, im mcdiatcly on tliu arrival of tho cargo, it should bo landcd nnd put ou salc ut thc usual placc for carryiiig un tho busincss of inurchamlisc. Tho Slntc, to prcvent tlic (liinger of iufcciion, might wisb to proliibit tbu himling of thc cargo within ils port of dcttinntion for a period of t'unc. llcru wcie (wo opposito indepcudcnt powcrs, cach cxcrcising an nrknowledgcd constitutional nutlioiitv. nnd thcir lcaislntion coining di rcclly iu conllicl. What wns to bo donu ? Congrcss dcidarcd tlmti( would so cxcrciso its powcr nf regiilnting coinnicrco ns not to intcrfi ic with llio rcasonabk bcalth laws of ihe Slates. Tho tcrm rtusonable is uscd lii'cuusc lliu nct prcscribcs ccrtnin boun (lurics, bcyond which Congirss would nnt MiflW bciilih laws to opcrutc. This m t is undoubtcdly, n prcci ilcnt to show n coin mcndiiblo dispo-iiion in tlio Generul Gov crniiicut to prcvent its powcrs from con-1 flicting wilh llioso of tho Stntcs. Ilut it is no preccdent lo provo thnt Congrcss can ' derivo nny constitutional powcr from tliu i Stato Inws, or tlmt it can cooporalo in thcir j cxccution liy any spccii sof legislation pro hibitcd to Congrcss by thc cunstitiitimi. I It is n( most, an cxamplo ol llio yoiuui.uy torbcarauco ot Congicss to uxcrcisc, iu u manui'r not forbiddcn, one of its ncldinwl edgcd powciv. It is ulso to bo rcuiaikcd, iu rcgard to (liis law, tlmt it imposrs no pouiilty nn tho olliceis of govcriuuciit b.r ucglccliug to co-opcrato iu thocxccutinu of tho hculth laws. A pcrson nppt.intcd to oflico undcr tlio Geiiortd Govciuuicnl, ia not ihcrcby rclcafcd from liis obligniiun lo thn Stato in whii'b hc may bc. In likc manuur ns bcforo liis nppoinimeutk bu is bound to obny tho laws of such Sta(c, and aid iu their cxccution, so far as thcy nro not inconsistcnt with tho jiaramount lawa of iho Gcncrnl Govcrnment. Tho dircctions iu this statutc, thougli they pointcd out to tlio ofliccr a propcr courso of action, did not pluco him undcr nny aihl.tional lcgal obligation, or imposo on him any new penul liubility. Thc di rcctions wuro properly givcn iu this fih plauco, bccatise thcy relntcd to n point of duty, about which, from tho npparcntly conflicting powcrs ofthe two Govcrnmciits, the ofliccr wus grcatly liable to dnuht ; nnd bccause thcy rcfcrrcd to n Stato law, in tho excciitinn of which tho aid of such ofliccr was likely to provc peculiarly uscful nnd ellicicnt. In so far ns Congrcss, by this nct, might bo considcrcd ns making tho hculth laws lcgitimate regulations of com mercc, Congrcss might doubtlcss havc pro vided a punislimcnt for thcir violation. But so fur ns thcy rcmniucd ironcrly licaltli laws, tlic punishmcnt could only bc inflic tcd by thc Statcs. Thc omission of Con grcss to provide n puuibhmcnt is evidcnco that thcy wcro dccmed ns still continuing to bc purely hcalth laws, nud subjcct only to State punislimciit. Tho samc rulo mast apply to "inrcndiury publications." So fhr as tboir circulation may bo constitution ally rcstjictcd by Congrcss under i(s post oflico powcr, so far may Congress cxtcnd its pcnal banctions ; but, wbercvcr its delc gated powcrs ceasc, thcre must Congrcss ccaso to act. Wo are thcn thrown back on thu qiiftstinn ol whataiithority Congress posscsscs over "inccndiary publicatioiiE," by tbu grants of powcr containcd in tho Constitution, undcr the rcstrictions on tlic nxeroisc of tliosc powcrs found iu that in struincnt? -a qucstion which will bc prcs ently bMimiued. On grounds of cxpediency, this modo of legislation, having Statc legislation for its Im-iis, is liublo to thc samc objections with ihc last. It Iiiis othcrs wliicli are pcculinrly its own; but which, from tho lcngtli to which this discussion hns alrcady bccn drawn, will not ve noticcd in dctnil. Tho minori ty will barely obscrvc, that this modc of legislation, tiiough in Jorm it tncrely pro vidcs a punishmcnt for transiniuiiig publi calions, is, in snbstance an actual mamial rcslrainl on circulation a rcstraint com jnittcd to the discrctiou of tcn thousand indepcudcnt liccnscrs, whosc powcrs, though absolutcly dcspotic nnd irrcTcrsiblc, arc ncithcr limitcd by auy ccrtaiu boutuln ries, or rcgulatcd by nny definitc rule. This modeof legislation is,tlicrcforc, obnox ious to at lcastall thc oljeclions thnt would bcjong to a plain, opcn, rcgulatcd ccnsor ship. To bc conchtded ucxl mck. From thc Concord Frccman. liENI'NCIATION OF FKEKMASOX BY. Wo cut tlie followiug ariiclo from the Boston Advocatc ofthc 12ih inctant. Wo wish nll tho ndhcreiits nf the Mnsonic In stilution wcro postesscd of suflicient mor al cournge nnd indcpcndcncc of mind, to bhake ofl' (bc fottcrs of an institutioti, ns dangcrous in its politicnl tcndcncy, ns it is conupt nnd dcceitful iu its boastcd morali ty aud cbarity. Mr. Fditor About tcn ycars ago I joined thu Musonic Society. Duriiig tlio opposi tioi which hns sin'co bccn madc to that Society, 1 liavo becn prcvcnted Irom par ticulnrly c.vniiiiiiing frccmnsonry, as I soinc limcs fcl( it my duty to do, partly from a prcjudico thnt tbcro was un extrnvagant and wickcd cxcitcincut againsi i( nnd pnrt ly tlirough fenr ihni I should find its la tcnt principlcs btich ns a cbristian could not npprovo, nnd hcnco bo undcr obligations to nbmidou it. I havc nlso bcen cncouiagcd in this ncg lcct of cxamination from the considcration, that somc niinistcrs and othcr profcssors of religion, siill coutinue thcir conncxion with tho institution. Froin a rccent anxious and prnyerful in vestigntion of Frecmasonry, I have no hcsitutioii in snying, tha( I considcr its prc tensions to bo "of scripturo nrigiu, wbolly unfounded nud falsc ; I lliiul; it hns oaths nnd obligaliotif contrnry to the laws ofGod und man , und tliu riglits of consciciicc, aud thcreforo null nnd void, nnd hcnco I I'ccl noditlicultv in disowning thcm. IWnny ot' its titlcs are sui'Ii us should bo givcn to no mnu, nnd cspccially to no such pcrsons us oftcu hotd thu ulliccs of thu lodgc. 1 tbink it givcs its mcmbcrs improicr libcrly to conccal crimcs of tho fraternity whcn lcss than tnurdcrnml trcuson. Thc nnme of Jcsus Cbrist, tiiough tho Biblo infbtms us tliero is salvation in no othcr, I find, is iwcludeil from its praycrs aud furmiilns, nnd tcxis ( f scripturo nro qtioicd, wilh alti'rations, and intcrpolations, to suit tliis deisticnl nnd intldel fcaturo of thu iustitutiou. Foniu of iho miwcles and sarrod nuincs mcntinncd iu tho bcripturcs, sccm to bo prol'nncly icl'crrcd to nnd trilied wilh, iu llio (bnlish nndinsipid litcs of thu society; nnd tho ccrcniony of tukiiigbrciid and wino liy ungodly turmlicra nf tho lodgc, nppcnrs lo niu littlo lcss than n mockcry of tho coiuniunion ol'tliu ynints. For thcsc iiuil othcr rrnsous, which might bu meiitioncd, I cnmcstly wish thnt my fricnds, cspccinlly llio profi-fsnrs of pic cty, who havo not yct loll Frccmneonry, would dispassionntcly ic-cxuminn its pccu liar ininciples, and I bopu Ihcy will bc ir dui'cd to do ns hns dono tho siibseribcr, abiindnii thcir couurxion with nn irstitii tlou of bo cxccpiionablo a clmrnctcr. JOUN STOW. Souih Ucailing, Ajiril Cth, IS30'.