“That the people have an original right to
establish, for their future government, such
principles as, in their opinion, shall most
conduce to their own happiness, is the basis, on
which the whole American fabric has been
erected.... The principles, therefore, so
established, are deemed fundamental. And
as the authority, from which they proceed, is
supreme ... they are designed to be
permanent.... The powers of the
legislature are defined, and limited; and
that those limits may not be mistaken, or
forgotten, the constitution is written.”