" And, therefore, he concluded that he was right in the
judgment of "the whole family of man" in commencing hostilities against
us. He says, "So viewing the issue, no choice was left but to call out
the war power of the Government." That is the power to make war against
foreign nations, for the Government has no other war power. Planting
himself on this position, he commenced the devastation and bloodshed
which followed to effect our subjugation.
Nothing could be more erroneous than such views. The supposed case which
he presents is entirely unlike the real case. The Government of the
United States is like no other government. It is neither a
"constitutional republic or democracy," nor has it ever been thus
called. Neither is it a "government of the people by the same people";
but it is known and designated as "the Government of the United States."
It is an anomaly among governments. Its authority consists solely of
certain powers delegated to it, as a common agent, by an association of
sovereign and independent States. These powers are to be exercised only
for certain specified objects; and the purposes, declared in the
beginning of the deed or instrument of delegation, were "to form a more
perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide
for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."
The beginning and the end of all the powers of the Government of the
United States are to be found in that instrument of delegation.
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