"All questions of power, arising under the constitution of the United States, whether they relate to the federal or a state government, must be considered of great importance. The federal government being formed for certain purposes, is limited in its powers, and can in no case exercise authority where the power has not been delegated. The states are sovereign; with the exception of certain powers, which have been invested in the general government, and inhibited to the states. No state can coin money, emit bills of credit, pass ex post facto laws, or laws impairing the obligation of contracts, &c. If any state violate a provision of the constitution, or be charged with such violation to the injury of private rights, the question is made before this tribunal; to whom all such questions, under the constitution, of right belong. In such a case, this court is to the state, what its own supreme court would be, where the constitutionality of a law was questioned under the constitution of the state. And within the delegation of power, the decision of this court is as final and conclusive on the state, as would be the decision of its own court in the case stated."
by:
Justice John McLean
(1785-1861) U. S. Congressman for Ohio (1813-16), U.S. Postmaster General, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1830-61), presidential candidate for the Whig and Republican parties
Source:
Craig v. Missouri, 4 Peters 410 (1830) [29 U.S. 410, 464]
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Reader comments about this quote:
Revolutionary stuff in face of today's statist theocracy.
 -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    This Obama "Health Care" idiocy is another example, of many, of just how far we have strayed from the message in this quote. These are desperate times and Obama must be defeated now.
     -- jim k, austin     
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    In short time Obama will defeat himself!
     -- cal, lewisville, tx     
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    Where does this quote say anything that relates to health care? It does not limit the powers of the Federal Government. Seems you would be more concerned about Federal taxes, which is not real law as it was not ratified by the states. Instead two quotes referencing Obama. Where does the constitution give Federal power to invade a country without provocation and send citizens from states to fight in a foreign war? Instead, Obama bashing. So sad. One other thing about money. Does the constitution actually say States cannot coin money, or that the Federal Government CAN coin money. So many diversions from the Constitution in laws passed that we now need a con-con to throw out all laws that do not pass the Constitutionality test.
     -- Juggs, Any Town     
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    Sounds like you need to spend a little quality time reading the constitution, Juggs, especially the 10th Amendment. Health care is not delegated to the federal government and Obama and the Congress are attempting to usurp that authority as have so many other Presidents and Congresses before them.
     -- Ken, Allyn, WA     
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    So where is the check against Congress and the President's unconstitutional acts? It appears all 3 branches are in the same fascist pocket now. Ever the noose grows tighter as long as we treat the Constitution like an archaic document and not the rule book for the government. The question is whether Americans are going to wake up in time before Nazism (no, not anti-semitism) takes over -- yes, nazism, nationalist socialist 'democracy', and believe me the term 'democratic' is only to get the citizens to think, 'well, at least it is a democracy' -- it ain't, it's totalitarian rule, and in this case rule by the central bankers who have tricked us into giving them the right to print money and loan it to us at interest for our survival thus indenturing us forever. They know what they are doing -- do you?!
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Majority tyranny, coupled with industrial modernization. Dred Scott v. Sanford. Majority tyranny committed by the Supreme Court. Many it seems did not want a constitution prior to the Revolution against tyrannical motives of the bank of England and like cartels because of the effect of centralizing power over " We the People ".Justice McLean siding with Mari Louise v. Marot. ( France did no condone slavery as England and other nations did and still do ). Once emancipated from slavery could never be enslaved again. Greek law of Eleutheria Liberty, manumission from slavery. In response to the ever encroaching industrial revolution our founding Fathers had hope to empower the subsistence farmer and free them from exploitation. Mercantilism, protectionism. Adam Smith, stating " Interested sophistry of industry seeking to gain advantage at the cost of the consumer. " Those pesky little individual sovereign farmers get in the way of nationalism and globalization. " So in order to accomplish their devilish plans, declared war against the South claiming to free the slaves, when in actuality it was to make way for expansion and globalization and domination of labor, goods, and consumers. This is not to say anything of copy rights and the monopoly dominating effects of federal statues v. common law copy rights. Constructive fraud committed by congress and the IRS, with the purpose of furthering nationalist socialist agendas, globally.
     -- Ronw13, Yachats Or     
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    Concerning slavery and tyranny, judgments made in high places of authority. " More a matter of taste than of law " Justice John McLean
     -- Ronw13, Yachats Or     
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