Joseph StoryJoseph Story, (1779-1845) US Supreme Court Justice

Joseph Story Quote

“Another not unimportant consideration is, that the powers of the general government will be, and indeed must be, principally employed upon external objects, such as war, peace, negotiations with foreign powers, and foreign commerce. In its internal operations it can touch but few objects, except to introduce regulations beneficial to the commerce, intercourse, and other relations, between the states, and to lay taxes for the common good. The powers of the states, on the other hand, extend to all objects, which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, and liberties, and property of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the state.”

Joseph StoryJoseph Story
~ Joseph Story

Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

I like it - a good should be

E Archer, NYC

"Another not unimportant consideration" indeed ! This is in fact the very crux of understanding the difference between the noble sovereign citizen (secured in his/her natural born rights and the responsibility that comes with Liberty) and the second class citizen, ward of the state, in a permanent state of dependency and bankruptcy, servicing a perpetual debt, prosperity being measured by how much debt you can pass off before the music stops. The federal government was never supposed to have a 'claim' on any state citizen -- no claim to a portion of their labors or their property. What a concept!

SCSURFR, La Mirada

The problem has expanded beyond the federal government and the states have liberally taken a role in this. We seem to have forgotten the parts "left to the people" that has been trampled upon.

jim k, Austin

I especially like the last sentence in the quote.

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