"
Rhode Island gave in her long-withheld assent to the Constitution, "in
full confidence" that certain proposed amendments would be adopted, the
first of which was expressed in these words:
"That Congress shall guarantee _to each State_ its SOVEREIGNTY,
_freedom, and independence_, and every power, jurisdiction, and
right, which is not by this Constitution expressly delegated to
the United States."
This was in May, 1790, when nearly three years had been given to
discussion and explanation of the new Government by its founders and
others, when it had been in actual operation for more than a year, and
when there was every advantage for a clear understanding of its nature
and principles. Under such circumstances, and in the "full confidence"
that this language expressed its meaning and intent, the people of Rhode
Island signified their "accession" to the "Confederate Republic" of the
States already united.
No objection was made from any quarter to the principle asserted in
these various forms; or to the amendment in which it was finally
expressed, although many thought it unnecessary, as being merely
declaratory of what would have been sufficiently obvious without
it--that the functions of the Government of the United States were
strictly limited to the exercise of such powers as were expressly
delegated, and that the people of the several States retained all
others.
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