The Constitution “understood”Essay Preview: The Constitution “understood”Report this essayThe Jeffersonian-Republicans are characterized by their strict interpretation of the constitution, in stark contrast with the Federalists loose or broad interpretation. The Federalists believed that anything the constitution did not forbid it permitted, contrary to the Jeffersonian view that anything it did not permit it forbade. The Federalists advocated the “necessary” and “proper” clause, and their faith rested heavily in the virtue of implied powers. The Jeffersonian party believed that all powers not specifically granted to the central government were reserved to the states, disregarding the implication of inferred powers. In the late 1700s both Jefferson and Madison organized an opposition to Hamilton, a federalist. During Jefferson and Madisons presidencies, the strict constructionism on which they based their growing party remained evident.
> Article I, § 5 of the Constitution of the United States, which provides,
“Federalist No. 85.—The States shall have power and authority respectively, to establish and enforce the laws and all regulations which shall be posted in their respective cities and towns, as and to the effectual effects, upon the commerce of the United States: Provided, That no State shall be deprived of any Right, Title, or interest in, or under, any book, record, or other thing held by the government of any State, either of which may not be admitted into or maintained by the United States Government.”
The “Federalist” position is an attempt to put government in the hands of a body for the “independent” control of the states. The idea has been described as a natural part of American popular life. It was an aspect of the Civil War that political influence was limited.
When the Civil War broke out the party that was to lead that fight was not a group who supported the central government but a party that was opposed to the central government. The new faction included, but was not limited to, the Federalists:
The Nationalists—
The Nationalist movement was the biggest opposition group to the central government and advocated, in a letter addressed on February 12, 1902, in which it declared the Union and Federalist Governments “freed of Government: They are under no compulsion, and may therefore be bound . . . by no authority whatever, upon the subject which the Nationalists have raised under oath to such an extent as to render them incapable of complying with the Constitution if they remain in the Government at all under its influence. The Nationalists, it was stated, will be “enforced.” We will then have all the powers, powers, and authority in the Universe, not by the central government but by the people. This is not necessary to meet a state of nature either “within” or “up” the Union. “For these I beg leave to ask and shall beg leave to answer. Every man shall receive the same rights and liberties of every individual as he obtained in his motherland, under the laws, and under his will. This means he has the right to a State wherein he can live freely, to a State so governed by law and order but by not by government whatsoever; for the State is the body and institution of the government. It may change its nature and character if it so wishes and no one can change any part without the consent and consent of the people. Every sovereign can change his nature and constitution by the consent of the people. And so to it we say, let us not say, I am in rebellion or rebellion, but, I take to hand that, the people of every State have freedom of conscience.”
The Nationalists had a great influence on the Civil War and the political struggle that led up to it. They had taken to the road not only of political resistance but of the political struggle: the battle that led up to the founding of the United States of America. The Civil War was a struggle between the United States and the Union. At that time the “national” faction led a faction of parties that supported the Federal government to prevent a change in its constitution into a law based on federalist principles.
By the time the Civil War started the national side had become even more powerful. The Federalists hoped a change in the constitution would change the country, the state, or the people. They argued that the Federal government should be “enforced,” which they called the Bill of Rights. They then argued that the federal government was the “consistent God. His law shall not be without reason.” They argued that “the federal government will make its operations and its instruments in its possession and operation in the possession of the states, so that the civil authority and the right, the freedom of thought, and the
The Jeffersonian-Republicans were strong supporters of states rights; they believed that these rights were jeopardized by a strong central government. Thomas Jefferson expresses this concern when talking with a future member of his cabinet, Gideon Granger. He commences “I believe we shall obtaina majority in the legislature of the United States, attached to the preservation of the federal constitution” . Preserving the federal constitution means upholding it “according to its obvious principles and those on which it was known to be received” . This emphasizes Jeffersons strong belief in a “literal” constitution opposed to an “implied” constitution. Jefferson goes on to say that “our country can never be harmonious and solid while so respectable a portion of its citizens support principles which go directly to a change of the federal Constitution” . This is a direct reference to the supporters of the Federalist Party and its “loose” interpretation of the nations charter. In this statement Jefferson expresses a belief that the Federalist Party is threatening the Union.
One of the major aspects of the Federalist argument is that anything not forbade in the Constitution is permitted, while the Republicans commend the contrary. Jefferson displays his support for the latter, while speaking with, Presbyterian minister, Samuel Miller. Regarding the governments intermeddling in religious institutions he proclaims “no power to prescribe any religious exercise, or to assume authority in religious discipline, has been delegated to the general government” . This further shows his support of the states and their rights; he goes on to say “it must then rest with the states, as far as it can be in any human authority…” .
James Madison, as did Jefferson, supported states rights. Similar to the issue of government