1。SeethecaseofHyltonv。TheUnitedStates,3dDall。171。
2。Gibbonsv。Ogden,9thWheaton,p。1,&;c。
3。See7Coke\'sRep。7。
4。7Coke\'sRep。6。
5。SeeWooddeson,vol。i。232,andmanyoftheBritishtreatiesevincethetruthofhisposition。In1783,thecessionsofTobago,EastFlorida,&;c。;thenumeroustransfersamongtheEuropeanmonarchssincetheyear1795,formstrikinginstancesofthegeneraladoptionoftheprinciple。Timeindeedissometimesallowedtothepeopletowithdrawthemselvesandtheirproperty,butageorothercausesmayrenderthisimpossible。InGreatBritainsuchtreatiesareoftenconfirmedbyactsofparliament,buttheprincipleisthesame。Theircoloniesarenotrepresentedinparliament。
6。Thewordsofthelawarethese:?
Whensoeveranycitizenofthiscommonwealthshallbydeedinwritingunderhishandandseal,executedinthepresenceofandsubscribedbythreewitnesses,andbythemortwoofthemprovedinthegeneralcourt,anydistrictcourt,orthecourtofthecountyorcorporationwhereheresides,orbyopenverbaldeclarationmadeineitherofsaidcourtstobebythementeredofrecord,declarethatherelinquishesthecharacterofacitizen,andshalldepartoutofthiscommonwealth,suchpersonshallfromthetimeofhisdeparturebeconsideredashavingexercisedhisrightofexpatriationandshallthenceforthbedeemednocitizen。\"?Passed23dDecember,1792。
7。3Dallas,133。TheauthorapprehendsthatnoprinciplecanbemoreclearthanthatastatecannotdischargeacitizenfromhisallegiancetotheUnitedstates。
8。UnitedStatesv。Williams,4Hall\'sLawJournal,401。
9。UnitedStatesv。Gillies,I
Peters120?See2Cranch,126。
DuringthelatewarPresidentMadisondirectedoneClark,acitizenoftheUnitedStateswhohadremovedtoCanada,andwasafterwardstakenwithinourlinesandsentencedtodeathbyacourtmartialasaspy?tobedeliveredtothecivilauthority,therebydisclaimingmilitarypoweroverhimasanalienenemy。
10。IsaacWilliams,whosecasehasbeennoticed,expresslyrenouncedhisallegiancetothiscountrywhenhewasnaturalizedinFrance。Intheopinionofthechiefjustice,thiscircumstancemadenodifference。
11。ThelegislatureofPennsylvaniaonthe29thofMarch,1783,expungedfromtheoath,thepartwhichrequiredarenunciationofallegiancetotheKingofGreatBritain,declaringthatitwaswhollyuseless。
12。Itisproper,however,toobserve,thatacontraryopinionhasbeengiveninthestateofNewYorkbyajudgeofgreatlearningandacuteness,Washburn\'scase,4Johnson,Ch。
106,towhichisopposedthelaterdecisionofamanofequalcharacterandtalent,ChiefJusticeTilghmaninthecaseofEdwardShortonahabeascorpus,Aug。20,1824。
13。4Wheaton,122。
14。ibid。200。
15。§;10。
16。Coke\'sInst。vol。iii。181。
17。8Ann。c。19。15Geo。3。c。53。
18。4Burrow,2417。
19。5Wheaton,151,417。
20。1Gallison,124。5Wheaton,204,206。
21。4Dallas,37。
22。InEngland,theRoyalPalace,withanextentoftwelvemilesroundit,hasapeculiarjurisdictioninregardtosomelegalcontroversies;butanysuitsbroughtintheMarshalseaorPalaceCourts,astheyarestyled,maybe,andnowgenerallyare,removedatoncetotheKing\'sBenchorCommonPleas。Forallthepurposesoflegislation,thereisnodistinctionbetweenthe\"vergeofthecourt,\"andthekingdomatlarge。
23。2Cranch,452。
WilliamRawle:AViewoftheConstitution:ChapterXCHAPTERX。OFTHERESTRICTIONSONTHEPOWERSOFCONGRESS?ANDONTHEEXECUTIVEAND
JUDICIALAUTHORITIES?RESTRICTIONSONTHEPOWERSOFSTATESANDSECURITY
TOTHERIGHTSOFINDIVIDUALS。THErestrictionsonthepowersofcongresscontainedintheoriginaltextarefew。Thegeneralprincipleonwhichitisconstructedbeingdeclaredandmanifestthroughout,itfollowsthattonopurposeinconsistentwithorextendingbeyondthatprinciple,canitspoweroflegislationbecarried。Yetitwasexpedientinsomeinstancestointroducepositiveexceptions;insome,toqualifypowersenumeratedorimplied,andinotherstosecurebyexplicitdeclarationsboththerepublicanfoundationandtheequalityofthestatesinallpointswithinthesphereofthegeneralgovernment。
Thefirstclassoftheserestrictionsrelatestocommerce。
Notaxordutyshallbelaidonarticlesexportedfromanystate。
Ithasbeenrepeatedlyobserved,thattheleadingprincipleofthewholeConstitutionisuniformityinrespecttotheseveralstates,asfarasitcanbeobtained。Thenaturalorartificialproductsofstatesaredifferent?tolayageneraldutyontheexportsofriceorcotton,ortobacco,wouldaffectonlythesouthernstates;onflourorgrain,principallythecentralstates,andonthedomesticmanufactureswouldoperatechieflyonthenorthernandeasternstatesengagedinthem-yetwithoutthisrestrictionperhapsitmighthavebeendone。
Arestrictionbothastoexportsandimportsissubsequentlyextendedtothestatesthemselves,exceptwhatmaybeabsolutelynecessarytoexecutetheirowninspectionlaws;and,topreventevasionundercolourofonlysecuringtherightofinspection,itisprovidedthatthenetproduceofalldutiesandimpostslaidbyanystateonimportsorexports,shallbefortheuseofthetreasuryoftheUnitedStates,andthatallsuchlawsshallbesubjecttotherevisionandcontrolofcongress。
Onthesameprincipleitisprovidedingeneralterms,thatnopreferenceshallbegivenbyanyregulationsofcommerceorrevenuetotheportsofonestateoverthoseofanother,norshallvesselsboundfromonestatebeobligedtoenter,clear,orpaydutiesinanother。AvesselboundtoorfromPhiladelphia,shallnotbeobligedtoenterorpaydutiesinthestateofDelawareorNewJersey。Itisnothoweverprobablethatcongress,althoughunrestrained,wouldmakesuchregulations。
Thesearealltherestrictionsimmediatelyrelatingtocommerce,butoneofsomeimportancewasomitted。Thedangerofintroducingcontagiousdiseases,hassuggestedtocommercialcountriestheproprietyofinterposingtheutmostcareinregardtotheadmissionofvesselsfromsuspectedplaces。
IntheMediterranean,whereonaccountofthefrequencyoftheplague,thepracticebegan,itwasrequiredthatsuchvesselsshouldrideatanchorfortydayswithoutintercoursewiththeshore。Hencethetermquarantinehasbeenintroduced,althoughthelimitationoftimeisvariedaccordingtocircumstances。Thestateorportatwhichthevesselimmediatelyarrivesbeingthefirstindanger,hasthegreatestinterestintakingproperprecautionsaccordingtoitssituationsandmeansofenforcingthem。ButtheutilityofsuchprecautionsescapednoticeinframingtheConstitution;andCongress,withafairconstructionofitsimpliedpowers,hasmadesuitableprovisionstoenablethestatestoprotectthehealthoftheirinhabitants,althoughbysodoing,theymay,insomedegree,beconsideredaspartakingofthepowertoregulatecommerce。
Animportantclausewithwhichthissectioncommences,ispartlyofacommercial,andpartlyofapoliticalandmoralkind。Itwasforeseen,thatthegeneralpowertoregulatecommercewouldincludeatrafficnowjustlyreprobatedbymostChristiannations,butsomeinterestsandopinionsweretoberespected,andwhilethepowertoabolishtheslavetradeentirelywasindirectlyconceded,theexerciseofittilltheyear1808,otherwisethanbylayingataxordutyoftendollarsoneachpersonimported,wasprohibited。Congressdidnotfailtoavailitselfofthepower,assoonasitbecamelawfultoexecuteit。
Therestrictionsinregardtotaxationandpublicmoneyshavealreadybeenmentioned。
Reasonswillbegivenhereafterforconsideringmanyoftherestrictions,containedintheamendmentstotheConstitution,asextendingtothestatesaswellastotheUnitedStates,butthenatureofthewritofhabeascorpusseemspeculiarlytocallforthisconstruction。Itisthegreatremedyofthecitizenorsubjectagainstarbitraryorillegalimprisonment;
itisthemodebywhichthejudicialpowerspeedilyandeffectuallyprotectsthepersonallibertyofeveryindividual,andrepelstheinjusticeofunconstitutionallawsordespoticgovernors。Aftererectingthedistinctgovernmentwhichweareconsidering,andafterdeclaringwhatshouldconstitutethesupremelawineverystateintheUnion,fearfulmindsmightentertainjealousiesofthisgreatandall-controllingpower,ifsomeprotectionagainstitsenergieswhenmisdirected,wasnotprovidedbyitself。
Thenationalcodeinwhichthewritofhabeascorpuswasoriginallyfound,isnotexpresslyordirectlyincorporatedintotheConstitution。
Ifthisprovisionbadbeenomitted,theexistingpowersunderthestategovernments,noneofwhomarewithoutit,mightbequestioned,andapersonimprisonedonamandateofthepresidentorotherofficer,undercolouroflawfulauthorityderivedfromtheUnitedStates,mightbedeniedrelief。
Butthejudicialauthority,whethervestedinastatejudge,orajudgeoftheUnitedStates,isanintegralandidentifiedcapacity;andifcongressnevermadeanyprovisionforissuingwritsofhabeascorpus,eitherthestatejudgesmustissuethem,ortheindividualbewithoutredress。
TheConstitutionseemstohavesecuredthisbenefittothecitizenbythedescriptionofthewrit,andinanunqualifiedmanneradmittingitsefficacy,whileitdeclaresthatitshallnothesuspendedunlesswhen,incaseofrebellionorinvasion,thepublicsafetyshallrequireit。Thiswritisbelievedtobeknownonlyincountriesgovernedbythecommonlaw,asitisestablishedinEngland;butinthatcountrythebenefitofitmayatanytimebewithheldbytheauthorityofparliament,whereasweseethatinthiscountryitcannotbesuspendedevenincasesofrebellionorinvasion,unlessthepublicsafetyshallrequireit。OfthisnecessitytheConstitutionprobablyintends,thatthelegislatureoftheUnitedStatesshallbethejudges。ChargedastheyarewiththepreservationoftheUnitedStatesfromboththoseevils,andsupersedingthepowersoftheseveralstatesintheprosecutionofthemeasurestheymayfinditexpedienttoadopt,itseemsnotunreasonablethatthiscontroloverthewritofhabeascorpus,whichoughtonlytobeexercisedonextraordinaryoccasions,shouldrestwiththem。Itisatanyratecertain,thatcongress,whichhasauthorizedthecourtsandjudgesoftheUnitedStatestoissuewritsofhabeascorpusincaseswithintheirjurisdiction,canalonesuspendtheirpower,andthatnostatecanpreventthosecourtsandjudgesfromexercisingtheirregularfunctions,whichare,however,confinedtocasesofimprisonmentprofessedtobeundertheauthorityoftheUnitedStates。
Butthestatecourtsandjudgespossesstherightofdeterminingonthelegalityofimprisonmentundereitherauthority。1
Nobillofattainder,norexpostfactolawshallbepassed。
Billsofattainderarethosebywhichapersonwithoutajudicialtrial,isdeclaredbythelegislaturetobeguiltyofsomeparticularcrime。Thedefinitionitselfshowstheatrocityoftheact。Suchlawsareneverpassedbutintimesofwildcommotionorarbitrarymisrule。
Expostfactolawsareoftensupposedtosignifyalllawshavingaretrospectiveoperation,butthetechnicalmeaningofthemismoreconfined。
Anexpostfactolawiswhenanactionisdeclaredtobeacrime,whichatthetimeitwasdonewasinnocent,orwhenitaggravatesacrime,anddeclaresittobegreaterthanitwaswhencommitted,orwhenitincreasesthepunishment,ordirectsthatdifferentorlessevidenceshallbesufficienttoconvicttheoffender;butifitsoftenstherigouroftheancientlaw,itisnotwithintheprohibition。2TheConstitutiondoesnotpreventcongressfrompassingretrospectivelawsincivilcases。Whythiswasomittedwhenthestatesinthesameinstrumentarerestrainedfrompassinglawsimpairingtheobligationsofcontracts,willbehereafterexplained。
Notitleofnobility,shallbegrantedbytheUnitedStates,orbyanyindividualstate。Ofthistherecouldhavebeenbutlittledanger。
Theindependentspiritofrepublicansleadsthemtocontemnthevanityofhereditarydistinctions,buttheresidueoftheclauseismoreimportant。NopersonholdinganyofficeoftrustorprofitundertheUnitedStatesshall,withouttheconsentofcongress,acceptofanypresent,emolument,office,ortitleofanykindwhatever,fromanyking,prince,orforeignstate。
Therecannotbetoomuchjealousyinrespecttoforeigninfluence。ThetreasuresofPersiaweresuccessfullydistributedinAthens;anditisnowknownthatinEnglandaprofligateprinceandmanyofhisvenalcourtierswerebribedintomeasuresinjurioustothenationbythegoldofLouisXIV。3
Asalutaryamendment,extendingtheprohibitiontoallcitizensoftheUnitedStates,anddisfranchisingthosewhoinfringeit,hasbeenadoptedbysomeofthestates;butnotyetbyasufficientnumber。Theclauseinthetextisdefectiveinnotprovidingaspecificpenaltyforabreachofit。Disfranchisement,oradeprivationofalltherightsofacitizen,seemsthemostappropriatepunishmentthatcouldbeapplied,sinceitrenderstheseductionuselesstothosewhoweretheauthorsofit,anddisgracefultothepersonseduced。
Oftheamendmentsalreadyadopted,forwhichseetheappendix,theeightfirstinorderfallwithintheclassofrestrictionsonthelegislativepower,someofwhichwouldhavebeenimplied,someareoriginal,andallarehighlyvaluable。Somearealsotobeconsideredasrestrictionsonthejudicialpower。
Theconstitutionsofsomeofthestatescontainbillsofrights;othersdonot。Adeclarationofrights,therefore,properlyfindsaplaceinthegeneralConstitution,whereitequalizesallandbindsall。
Eachstateisobliged,whileitremainsamemberoftheUnion,topreservetherepublicanformofgovernmentinallitsstrengthandpurity。Thepeopleofeachstate,bytheamendedconstitution,pledgethemselvestoeachotherforthesacredpreservationofcertaindetailedprinciples,withoutwhichtherepublicanformwouldbeimpureandweak。
Theywillnowbeviewedinsuccession。
Thefirstamendmentprohibitscongressfrompassinganylawrespectinganestablishmentofreligion,orpreventingthefreeexerciseofit。
ItwouldbedifficulttoconceiveonwhatpossibleconstructionoftheConstitutionsuchapowercouldeverbeclaimedbycongress。Thetimehaslongpassedbywhenenlightenedmeninthiscountryentertainedtheopinionthatthegeneralwelfareofanationcouldbepromotedbyreligiousintolerance,andundernootherclausecouldapretenceforitbefound。
Individualstateswhoselegislaturesarenotrestrainedbytheirownconstitutions,havebeenoccasionallyfoundtomakesomedistinctions;butwhenweadverttothosepartsoftheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates,whichsostronglyenforcetheequalityofallourcitizens,wemayreasonablydoubtwhetherthedenialofthesmallestcivicrightunderthispretencecanbereconciledtoit。InmostofthegovernmentsofEurope,someonereligioussystemenjoysapreference,enforcedwithmoreorlessseverity,accordingtocircumstances。Opinionsandmodesofworshipdifferingfromthosewhichformtheestablishedreligion,aresometimesexpresslyforbidden,sometimespunished,andinthemildestcases,onlytoleratedwithoutpatronageorencouragement。ThusahumangovernmentinterposesbetweentheCreatorandhiscreature,interceptsthedevotionofthelatter,orcondescendstopermititonlyunderpoliticalregulations。Frominjusticesogross,andimpietysomanifest,multitudessoughtanasyluminAmerica,andhencesheoughttobethehospitableandbenignreceiverofeveryvarietyofreligiousopinion。Itistrue,thatinherearlyprovincialstage,theequalityofthoserightsdoesnotseemtohavebeenuniversallyadmitted。
Thosewhoclaimedreligiousfreedomforthemselves,didnotimmediatelyperceivethatotherswerealsoentitledtoit;butthehistoryofthesternexclusionorreluctantadmissionofothersectsinseveraloftheprovinces,wouldbeanimproperdigressioninthiswork。Intracingtheannalsofsomeoftheprovinces,itispleasingtoobservethatintheveryoutset,theirenlightenedfounderspubliclyrecognisedtheperfectfreedomofconscience。
Therewasindeedsometimesaninconsistency,perhapsnotadvertedtointheocclusionofpublicofficestoallbutChristians,whichwasthecaseinPennsylvania,butitwasthenoflittlepracticalimportance。Intheconstitutionadoptedbythatstatein1776,thesameinconsistency,thoughexpressedinlanguagesomewhatdifferent,wasretained,butinherpresentconstitution,nothingabridges,nothingqualifies,nothingdefeats,thefulleffectoftheoriginaldeclaration。Boththeelectorandtheelectedareentitled,whatevertheirreligioustenetsmaybe,tothefullestenjoymentofpoliticalrights,providedinthelatterdescription,thepartypubliclydeclareshisbeliefinthebeingofaGod,andafuturestateofrewardsandpunishments。Thisqualificationisnotexpresslyrequiredofanelector,andperhapswasintroducedinrespecttothoseelected,chieflyforthepurposeofmoreparticularlyexplainingthesenseofaprecedingsection。
Itisindeedtosuchadegreedoubtfulwhetheranycanbefoundsoweakanddepravedastodisbelievethesecardinalpointsofallreligions,thatitcanscarcelybesupposedtohavebeenintroducedforanyotherpurpose。4
Justandliberalprinciplesonthissubject,throwalustreroundtheConstitutioninwhichtheyarefound,andwhiletheydignifythenation,promoteitsinternalpeaceandharmony。Nopredominantreligionoverpowersanother,thevotariesofwhicharefewandhumble;nolordlyhierarchyexcitesodiumorterror;legalpersecutionisunknown,andfreedomofdiscussion,whileittendstopromotetheknowledge,contributestoincreasethefervourofpiety。
Thefreedomofspeechandofthepressformspartofthesamearticle,andinpartrelatestothesamesubject;itembracesallmattersofreligious,moral,political,orphysicaldiscussion。Tacitus,ingloomymeditationontheimperialdespotismofRome,exclaims,\"Howrarearethosehappytimeswhenmenmaythinkwhattheypleaseandsaywhattheythink。\"Underthedenialofsuchrights,lifeisindeedoflittlevalue。Thefoundationofafreegovernmentbeginstobeunderminedwhenfreedomofspeechonpoliticalsubjectsisrestrained;itisdestroyedwhenfreedomofspeechiswhollydenied。Thepressisavehicleofthefreedomofspeech。Theartofprintingilluminatestheworld,byarapiddisseminationofwhatwouldotherwisebeslowlycommunicatedandpartiallyunderstood。Thismayeasilybeconceived,ifweweretofiguretoourselvesthetotalsuppressionofprintingforevenashorttimeinthiscountry。
Ournewspapersarenowmorenumerousthansuchpublicationsareinanequalamountofpopulationinanyotherpartoftheworld。Whereveranewsettlementisformed,andeveryyearpresentsmanysuch,aprintingpressisestablishedassoonasasufficientnumberofinhabitantsiscollected。Informationisthemoralfood,forwhichtheactiveAmericanintellecteverhungers。
Butthelibertyofspeechandofthepressmaybeabused,andsomayeveryhumaninstitution。Itisnot,however,tobesupposedthatitmaybeabusedwithimpunity。Remedieswillalwaysbefoundwhiletheprotectionofindividualrightsandthereasonablesafeguardsofsocietyitselfformpartsoftheprinciplesofourgovernment。Aprevioussuperintendencyofthepress,anarbitrarypowertodirectorprohibititspublicationsarewithheld,butthepunishmentofdangerousoroffensivepublications,whichonafairandimpartialtrialarefoundtohaveapernicioustendency,isnecessaryforthepeaceandorderofgovernmentandreligion,whicharethesolidfoundationsofcivilliberty。
Therightofthepeoplepeaceablytoassembleandpetitiongovernmentforaredressofgrievancesconcludesthearticle。
Ofthisrightintheabstracttherecannotbeadoubt。Towithholdfromtheinjured,theprivilegeofcomplaint,andtodebartherulersfromthebenefitofinformationthatmayapprizethemoftheirerrors,ismutuallyunjust。Itmay,however,beurged,thathistoryshowshowthosemeetingsandpetitionshavebeenabused,andwemaybeturnedtoanEnglishstatute,which,thoughillobserved,issaidtobestillinforce,5andwhichisunderstoodtohavebeenfoundedonthemischiefsanddisordersexperiencedfromlargeandtumultuousassemblies,presentingpetitionsfortheredressofgrievancesinthereignofCharlesI。Butbesidesthewellknownirrelevancyoftheargumentfromtheabuseofanythingagainstitsuse,wemustrememberthatbyrequiringtheassemblytobepeaceable,theusualremediesofthelawareretained,iftherightisillegallyexercised。
Theprecedingarticleexpresslyreferstothepowersofcongressalone,butsomeofthosewhichfollowaretobemoregenerallyconstrued,andconsideredasapplyingtothestatelegislaturesaswellasthatoftheUnion。Theimportantprinciplescontainedinthemarenowincorporatedbyadoptionintotheinstrumentitself;theyformpartsofthedeclaredrightsofthepeople,ofwhichneitherthestatepowersnorthoseoftheUnioncaneverdeprivethem。
Asubsequentarticledeclares,thatthepowersnotdelegatedtocongressbytheConstitution,norprohibitedbyittothestates,arereservedtothestatesrespectively,ortothepeople。Whatweareabouttoconsiderarecertainlynotdelegatedtocongress,noraretheynoticedintheprohibitionstostates;theyarethereforereservedeithertothestatesortothepeople。
Theirhighnature,theirnecessitytothegeneralsecurityandhappinesswillbedistinctlyperceived。
Inthesecondarticle,itisdeclared,thatawellregulatedMilitiaisnecessarytothesecurityofafreestate;apropositionfromwhichfewwilldissent。Althoughinactualwar,theservicesofregulartroopsareconfessedlymorevaluable;yet,whilepeaceprevails,andinthecommencementofawarbeforearegularforcecanberaised,themilitiaformthepalladiumofthecountry。Theyarereadytorepelinvasion,tosuppressinsurrection,andpreservethegoodorderandpeaceofgovernment。Thattheyshouldbewellregulated,isjudiciouslyadded。Adisorderlymilitiaisdisgracefultoitself,anddangerousnottotheenemy,buttoitsowncountry。Thedutyofthestategovernmentis,toadoptsuchregulationsaswilltendtomakegoodsoldierswiththeleastinterruptionsoftheordinaryandusefuloccupationsofcivillife。InthisalltheUnionhasastrongandvisibleinterest。
Thecorollary,fromthefirstposition,is,thattherightofthepeopletokeepandbeararmsshallnotbeinfringed。
Theprohibitionisgeneral。NoclauseintheConstitutioncouldbyanyruleofconstructionbeconceivedtogivetocongressapowertodisarmthepeople。Suchaflagitiousattemptcouldonlybemadeundersomegeneralpretencebyastatelegislature。Butifinanyblindpursuitofinordinatepower,eithershouldattemptit,thisamendmentmaybeappealedtoasarestraintonboth。
InmostofthecountriesofEurope,thisrightdoesnotseemtobedenied,althoughitisallowedmore,orlesssparingly,accordingtocircumstances。
InEngland,acountrywhichboastssomuchofitsfreedom,therightwassecuredtoProtestantsubjectsonly,ontherevolutionof1688;anditiscautiouslydescribedtobethatofbearingarmsfortheirdefence,\"suitabletotheirconditions,andasallowedbylaw。\"6Anarbitrarycodeforthepreservationofgameinthatcountryhaslongdisgracedthem。Averysmallproportionofthepeoplebeingpermittedtokillit,thoughfortheirownsubsistence;agunorotherinstrument,usedforthatpurposebyanunqualifiedperson,maybeseizedandforfeited。
Blackstone,inwhomweregretthatwecannotalwaystracetheexpandedprinciplesofrationalliberty,observeshowever,onthissubject,thatthepreventionofpopularinsurrectionsandresistancetogovernmentbydisarmingthepeople,isoftenermeantthanavowed,bythemakersofforestandgamelaws。7
Thisrightoughtnot,however,inanygovernment,tobeabusedtothedisturbanceofthepublicpeace。
Anassemblageofpersonswitharms,foranunlawfulpurpose,isanindictableoffence,andeventhecarryingofarmsabroadbyasingle,individual,attendedwithcircumstancesgivingjustreasontofearthathepurposestomakeanunlawfuluseofthem,wouldbesufficientcausetorequirehimtogivesuretyofthepeace。Ifherefusedhewouldbeliabletoimprisonments。8
Nosoldiershallintimeofpeacebequarteredinanyhousewithouttheconsentoftheowner,heretherestrictionisgeneral,norintimeofwar,butinamannertobeprescribedbylaw;andthismustbeconstruedalawoftheUnitedStateswhenthewarisgeneral,orofthestatewhenintheauthorizedexerciseoftherightofself-defenceonthesuddenemergenciesadvertedtointheConstitution,immediatestateoperationshavebecomenecessary。Intheformercase,thesoleconductofthewarisgiventothegeneralgovernment,anditoughtnottobedependenton,orcontrolledbythestategovernmentsinitsmodesofproceeding。
Inthelatter,thestate,relyingonitsownenergies,isentitledtothebenefitofthesameprinciple。Thepracticewouldbeneedlesslyburthensometothepeopleintimeofpeace,andbyagovernmenthavingimproperviews,itmightberenderedanindirectandodiousmeanofcompellingsubmissiontoimpropermeasures。Duringawar,whenitbecomesnecessarytogarrisonatown,orstationabodyoftroopsforatimeinaparticularplace,thecommoninterestwillnaturallysupersedeminorobjections。
Bythegeneraltermsoldier,wearetounderstandas,wellthemilitiainactualserviceasregulartroops。
Thefollowingarticledeclares,thattherightofthepeopletobesecureintheirhouses,papers,andeffects,againstunreasonablesearchesandseizures,shallnotbeviolated,andnowarrantsshallissuebutuponprobablecause,supportedbyoathoraffirmation,particularlydescribingtheplacetobesearched,andthepersonsorthingstobeseized。
Hereagainwefindthegeneraltermswhichprohibitallviolationsofthesepersonalrights,andofcourseextendbothtothestateandtheUnitedStates。
Thetermunreasonableisusedtoindicatethatthesanctionofalegalwarrantistobeobtained,beforesuchsearchesorseizuresaremade,butwhenuponprobablecause,supportedbyoathoraffirmation,suchawarrantisissued,notonlymayothereffects,butthepapersoftheaccusedbetakenintothecustodyofthelaw。
Thefollowingpartofthe6tharticlehasmoreimmediatereferencetothejudicialproceedingsoftheUnitedStates,andmaythereforebeconsideredasrestraintsonlyonthelegislationoftheUnitedStates。
Inallcriminalprosecutions,theaccusedshallenjoytherightofaspeedyandpublictrialbyanimpartialjuryofthestateanddistrictwhereinthecrimeshallhavebeencommitted,whichdistrictshallhavebeenpreviouslyascertainedbylaw。Forthebetterunderstandingofthisprovision,itispropertoexplainthatithadalreadybeenprovidedintheConstitution,9thatthetrialsofoffencesshouldbehadinthestatewheretheywerecommitted;
but,inorganizingthejudiciarysystem,ithadappearedtocongresspropertoformjudicialdistricts,anditwasfoundinconvenienttomakethemalwayscommensuratewiththeboundariesofstates。ThustwodistrictsbadbeenformedoutofthestateofMassachusetts,andtwooutofVirginia。10Byvirtueofthisamendment,anoffencecommittedinthatpartofMassachusettswhichlayeastwardofNewHampshirecouldonlybetriedinthedistrictofMaine。Itisawiseandmercifulmeasure。ItwouldhavebeenhighlyoppressivetocarryamailfromNorfolk,inVirginia,totakehistrialatHarrodsburginKentucky。
Anotherpartofthesixtharticleiscalculatedtosecuretotheaccusedaprotectionwhich,tothosefamiliaronlywiththehabitsofthiscountry,wouldappearsuperfluous。Theaccusedistobeinformedofthenatureandcauseoftheaccusation,tobeconfrontedwiththewitnessesagainsthim;tohavecompulsoryprocessforobtainingwitnessesinhisfavour,andtohavetheassistanceofcounselinhisdefence。
Itseemsmonstrousthatinanycountrythetestimonyonwhichapersonmightbeconvictedshouldbetakeninhisabsence。Yetitiscertain,thatinsomeplaces,thetestimonyonwhichapersonmightbeconvictedofthegreatestcrimeswasoftentakenwithouthisbeingpresent,sometimesevenwithouthisknowingwhothewitnesseswere。Theevidencethuscollectedwasembodiedintheaccusation,andhewasrequiredtodefendhimselfagainstinvisibleenemies。Thisseverityhasindeedbeenmitigatedinmoderntimes,butitisbelievedtobenotyettotallyabolished。
Apersonaccusedoughttohavealltheaidofthelawtohisdefence;
thoseonwhosetestimonyhemustrely,may,fromintimidationorcorruption,beunwillingtoassisthim。Thepublicisconsideredasalwayshavingitintheirpowertocompeltheappearanceofwitnessesagainsthim。Itisjustthatheshouldbearmedinthelikemanner。Nojudgecannowrefusetoissueprocessagainstthosewhomtheaccusedshallnominatetohim?
andtocompelthem,toenterintorecognizancetoappearandtestifyonthetrial。Circumstancesmayevenrenderitnecessarythatheshouldgofurther。Ifthereisaprobabilitythatthewitnesswillleavethestateordistrictbeforethetrialcomeson,itseemstobetherightoftheaccusedtodemandsecurityforhisappearance。
Butwithallthesehumaneprovisions,somethingmoreiswanting。Themostinnocentman,pressedbytheawfulsolemnitiesofapublicaccusationandtrial,maybeincapableofsupportinghisowncause。Hemaybeutterlyunfittocross-examinethewitnessesagainsthim,topointoutthedefectsoftheirtestimony,andtocounteractitbyproperlyintroducingandapplyinghisown。Hencetheimportance,wemightsay,theright,ofhavingtheaidofmeneducatedandaccustomedtomanagecriminaltrials,towhose,knowledgeandskillbemaysafelycommittheconductofhisdefence。Willitbebelieved,that,evenatthisday,inEngland,apersonindictedofanycapitalcrimeunlessinthecaseofhightreasonbyexpressstatuteisnotallowedthebenefitofcounsel,excepttoaddressthejudgeonaquestionoflaw?
Thoseobservationsonthefactsofthecase,which,inthehandsofableandexperiencedadvocates,mightsecuretheacquittalofaninnocentman,arewhollyprohibited。Thetremblingprisonermaymakeafruitlessefforthimself,andhefrequentlyhastheconsolationtobetold,thatthecourtishiscounsel,andwillcalltheattentionofthejurytowhatevermayoperateinhisfavour。Anemptyfiction,whichoftendeludeshimwhoreliesonit。Twobenevolenteffortshaverecentlybeenmadeinthehouseofcommonstoprocurethisrighttosuchdefendants,but,beingopposedbythewholeforceoftheministerialparty,theybothfailed。
Theprotectionoftheindividualagainstallunnecessaryseverityintheprosecutionofjustice,characterizesthegreatestpartofthefifth,andthewholeoftheeighthamendment。
Thelatterdeclares,thatexcessivebailshallnotberequired,norexcessivefinesimposed,norcruelandunusualpunishmentsinflicted。
DuringthearbitraryreignsoftheStuartsinBritain,particularlyofthetwolast,onefrequentmodeofoppressingthosewhowereobnoxioustothecourt,wastocausecriminalproceedingstobeinstitutedagainstthem,todemandbailinextravagantsums,andontheirfallingtoprocureit,tocommitthemtoprison。
Whentherevolutiontookplace,amongotherprovisionsdemandedbythepeople,andreadilyassentedtobyWilliamIII。wastheclausewhichhasbeentranscribedintothisamendment。Ifexcessivebailisdemandedbyonemagistrate,anothermaymoderateitonahabeascorpus,issuedtothekeeperoftheprisoninwhosecustodythepartyis。Thispowerisnot,however,tobeabused,byreducing,thebailbelowareasonablesum。
Insuchacase,thelattermagistratewouldhimselfbeliabletoafine,ifthecriminalshouldnotappearattheappointedtime。
Excessivefinesconstituteonemodeofinflictingcruelpunishments。
Thisrestrictionappliesequallytothelegislativeandtothejudicialauthority。Inrespecttotheformer,however,itisrathertobeconsideredinthelightofarecommendationthanasaconditiononwhichtheconstitutionalityofthelawdepends。Thejudicialauthoritywouldnotundertaketopronouncealawvoid,becausethefineitimposedappearedtothemexcessive;and,therefore,ifthelegislatureshouldcommit,andpersistin,grosserrorsinthisrespect,theultimateremedymustbesoughtamongthechecksonthelegislativepower,whichwillhereafterbebroughtintoview。
Theprohibitionofunusualpunishmentsappliesalike,underthequalificationsalreadynoticed,tothelegislativeandtothejudicialpower。
Thelawsofafreecountryseldomleavethesortofpunishmenttobeinflictedtothediscretionofthejudge,althoughthemeasureorextentofit,asforinstancethequantumofalimitedfine,orthedurationofatermofimprisonment,which,bythelawisnottobeexceeded,isoftensubmittedtohim。Thepeculiarcircumstancesofeachcase,thecontritionorgeneralgoodcharacteroftheoffender,maysuggestandjustifyamoderationofthefullextentofthepunishment。Butalawwhichsubjectsanoffendertoanysortofpunishment,isunknowntoourcivilcode。Ifthelawissilentinrespecttothemodeofpunishmentwhichissometimesthecasewhenanactisprohibitedingeneralterms,withoutsayingmore,thecourtisunderstoodtobeconfinedtotheusualmoderatepunishmentoffineandimprisonment,oroneofthem。Ifafinealoneisimposed,imprisonmentmaybeanadjunct,toenforcethepaymentofit。
Theobligationonthelegislaturenottopasslawsinflictingunusualpunishmentsmustbeconsideredassubjecttosomequalification。Theestablishedformsofpunishmentmayhaveprovedineffectualtopreventthecommissionofsomekindsofoffences。Wemayinstancethepracticeofduelling,anoffenceagainstGodandsociety,whichnolawhasyetbeenfoundsufficienttoprevent。ItwouldbenoviolationoftheConstitutionifcongress,withinthesphereoftheirseparatelegislation,couldbytheinventionofsomenewpunishment,strikingatthefalsehonourwhichleadsfollytothefield,putanendtoacustomsoinhumanandabsurd。
Atcommonlawtherearetwomodesofinstitutingprosecutions;oneofwhichisbyaninformationfiledbytheofficerwhorepresentsthepublic,onhisownjudgmentanddiscretion,which,ifunadvisedlyorcorruptlydone,maysubjecttheindividualtocauselesstroubleandexpense。Theotherisbyanindictmentwhichispreparedbythesameofficer,andsenttoagrandjury,oritmaybedonebythegrandjurythemselves。Inbothofthesecases,witnessesarecarefullyexaminedonthepartofthepublic,andtheaccusedisnotputonhistrialunlessatleasttwelvegrandjurymen,ontheiroathsoraffirmations,findthatthereissufficientcauseforit。Inthefiftharticleitisexpresslydeclared,thatnoperson,exceptincasesarisinginthelandornavalforces,orinthemilitiawheninactualserviceintimeofwarorpublicdanger,shallbeheldtoanswerforacapitalorotherwiseinfamouscrime,unlessonapresentmentorindictmentofagrandjury,andinnocaseshallhebecompelledtobeawitnessagainsthimself。
Thatnooneshallbesubjectforthesameoffence,tobetwiceputinjeopardyoflifeorlimb,whichisalsoprovided,isperhapstoonarrow?noone,afterafulltrialandafairacquittal,oughttobesubjectedtoanothertrialforthesameoffence,whetheritbegreatorsmall,andsuchindeedisthesettledruleoflaw。Thepleaofaformeracquittal,isacompletebartoeverysubsequentprosecutionforthesameoffence。
Itfollowsfromalltheantecedentprecautions,thatnoonecanbedeprivedoflife,liberty,orproperty,withoutdueprocessoflaw;andtherepetitionofthisdeclaration,isonlyvaluable,asitexhibitsthesummaryofthewhole,andtheanxietythatitshouldneverbeforgotten。
Butonepartoftheclause,connectedwiththelastmentioned,requiresmoreparticularexplanation。
Insomecountrieswhenthepublicinterestmayoccasionallyrequirethatprivatepropertyshouldbeappropriatedtopublicpurposes,thesovereignmakesuseofitwithoutceremony。Inothers,itcannotbetakenfromtheindividualonanytermswithouthisownconsent。Amiddlelineisthecorrectcourse。Aperverseandobstinateman,mightotherwiseimpedeorwhollypreventmeasuresofthemostcogentnecessityforthepublicbenefit,inwhichhisownwouldbeincluded。Thepeoplebydeclaring,thatprivatepropertyshallnotbetakenforpublicuse,withoutjustcompensation,haveagreedthatinsuchcasesandonsuchtermsitmaybetaken。Ofthenecessity,thelegislatureistheonlyjudge;itdoesnotrestwiththejudicialpowertodeterminewhetherthepublicexigencewassuchastorequireit:greatinconveniencesmightensuefromtheirassumingsucharight。Forexample,aparticularpieceofgroundmightappeartothelegislature,asuitablesiteforafortintimeofdanger,andiftheyproceededinalegalmannertovesttherighttothegroundinthepublic,itwouldnotbecompetentforthejudiciarytodecide,thatabetterspotmighthavebeenchosen,orthattherewasnonecessityforanyfort。
Inthismanner,thepropertyofanindividualmaybelegallytransferredagainsthiswilltothestate,butthelegislaturehasnopowertotransferthepropertyofA。toB。althoughitmayappearmorebeneficialtothestatethatB。shouldhaveit。11Thejustcompensationspokenof,shouldbeascertainedbyajuryimpartiallyselected,andshouldbepaidinmoney,theuniversalrepresentativeandcommonstandardofvalue。12
Amongthesejustandhumaneprovisions,weobserve,thattrialbyjuryisexpresslysecuredinallprosecutionsforoffencescommittedonland。
Thosewhichmayhavebeencommittedonthehighseas,wouldproperlyfallwithintheadmiraltyjurisdiction,andmight,consistentlywithitsnature,bedecidedwithouttheinterventionofajury。Butinconferringoncongressthepowertodefineandtopunishsuchoffences,therighttodirectthemodeoftrialisgrantedasanecessaryincident。
Offencescommittedonthehighseas,beingasalreadyobserved,13withinthecognizanceofallnations,andtheoffenderliabletoprosecutionbythepowerwhichfirstapprehendshim,hemayconsequentlybesubjectedtoamodeoftrialinwhichajuryisunknown。Reasonsofgeneralpolicymaythereforepossiblysuggestthewithholdingtheabsoluterighttotrialbyjuryinsuchcases,andhence,itisomitted,notonlyintheoriginaltextbutintheamendments。Itisproperlyconfidedtocongress,whoselegislationonthesubject,may,asgoodreasonsoccasionlyarepresented,recall,abridge,ormodifythegrant。
Inrespecttocivilcontroversies,doubtsaroseinsomeofthestateconventions,whethertheoriginaltextwassufficientlyexplicit。Itdidnot,indeed,abolishtrialbyjuryinanycase,butitwasapprehendedthatapositivedeclarationinfavourofit,incivilcontroversies,alsowasexpedient。
Hencebythe7thamendment,itisprovided,thatintrialsatcommonlaw,whenthevalueincontroversyexceedstwentydollars,therightoftrialbyjuryshallbepreserved,andnofact,triedbyajuryshallbeotherwisere-examinedinanycourtoftheUnitedStates,thanaccordingtotherulesofthecommonlaw。
Bythefirstpartofit,congressisdisabledfromevertakingitaway;
andbythesecond,neitheralawcanbepassedbythem,norapracticeadoptedbythecourts,tore-examinefactstriedbyajury,otherwisethanaccordingtowellknownandlongestablishedprinciples。
Theword\"appellate,\"appliedintheoriginalinstrumenttothejurisdictionofthesupremecourt,wasbysomedeemedambiguousandinconsistentwithtechnicalphraseology;anappealisnotthemodeofre-examiningthedecisionsofcommonlawcourts,whichcanonlybedoneonawritoferror,bywhichtherecordofaninferiorcourtisbroughtbeforethesuperiorone;andnofactscanbeinquiredinto,whichdonotappearontherecord。Newtrialsmaybegranted,ifsufficientcauseisshown,bythecourtinwhichtheverdictisgiven,or,ifthejudgmentisreversedinthecourtabove,aveniredenovo,whichisadirectiontotheinferiorcourttosummonanotherjuryisissued,itthecaserequiresit,butinnoothermannercanthefactsbere-examined。Anappealistheprocessofre-examinationincourtsofadmiraltyandchanceryjurisdictionfromwhichtrialbyjuryissystematicallyexcluded,andinrespecttowhich,noalterationisintended。
Bythisveryproperamendment,allambiguityis,removed,andalldoubtissatisfied。Thereferencetothecommonlaw,precludesthenecessityoffullerdetail。Thetrialbyjuryisforeversecuredonitsancientbasis,andcannotbemultipliedbeyondit。
HereweclosethispartofourviewoftheConstitution。Intherestrictionsonthelegislativepower,weperceivetwogreatprinciples?thesecurityofthepeople\'srights,andthepreservationofthegreatnationalsystem。
Wehavenoticedthosepartswhichnecessarilyexcludetheactionofthestatesonthesamesubject;butitwillalsobepropertoadverttothoseexpressrestrictionsonthestates,whichamounttothediminutionorrelinquishmentofsomuchofthestatesovereignty,asthepeoplethoughtitexpedienttotransfertotheUnitedStates。
Nostateshallenterintoanytreaty,alliance,orconfederation,norintoanyagreementorcompactwithanotherstate,orwithaforeignpower。Ifliterallyconstrued,thisrestrictionwouldbetotalandabsolute,andyet,asbetweenstates,somecompactscertainlymaybemade。
Thuswhenalargeriverformsaboundarybetweentwostates,acompactinregardtotheexerciseofjurisdictionontheriver,orinrespecttoitsfisheries,oritsislands,wouldbelawful。Andperhapsthetrueconstructionofthisclauseis,thatpoliticalcompactsinanyformarealoneintended。
Ifastatehasreceivedaparticularinjuryfromaforeignpower,itisnottogivewaytothenaturalimpulseofgrantinglettersofmarqueandreprisal,forthiswouldinvadeanessentialattributeofthegeneralgovernment。
Thepowertocoinmoney,emitbillsofcredit,andmakeanythingbutgoldandsilveratenderinthepaymentofdebts,islikewisewithdrawnfromthem,althoughnotwithheldfromtheUnitedStates。
Therestrictionsofpassingbillsofattainderandexpostfactolaws,andgrantingtitlesofnobility,iscommontoboth,buttheexpressprohibitionofpassinglawsimpairingtheobligationofcontractsisconfinedtotheseparatestates,anditmay,asalreadynoticed,beinquiredwhyitwasnotextendedtotheUnitedStates。Beforeananswerisgiven,anexplanationofthesenseinwhichthetermcontractisheretobeexpounded,drawnfromthehighestauthority,willbeuseful。
Bycontractswearetounderstandeveryexecutedagreement,whetherbetweenindividualsorbetweenindividualsandastate,bywhicharightisvested,andeveryexecutoryagreementwhichconfersarightofaction,orcreatesabindingobligationinrelationtosubjectsofavaluablenature,suchasmaybeassertedinacourtofjustice;butitdoesnotcomprehendthepoliticalrelationsofagovernmentanditscitizens;civilinstitutionswhichmustbeliabletochangewithcircumstances,andtobemodifiedbyordinarylegislation,thosewhichdeeplyconcernthepublic,andwhichtopreservegoodgovernment,thepublicjudgmentmustcontrol。14
Theplenitudeofpowerpossessedbyastatelegislature,towhicheverythingthatisnotreservedisgranted,andthetemptationstoanerroneousexerciseofthispowerwhichsometimesoccur,renderexpressrestrictions,ifnotabsolutelynecessary,atleastveryuseful;butthelegislatureoftheUnitedStatescanhavenosuchpower,unlessitisexpresslygrantedtothem。
Asystemofbankruptcyimpairstheobligationofcontracts,whenitreleasesthepartyfromthenecessityofperformingthem;butcongressisexpresslyinvestedwiththispowerinregardtobankruptcy。Itisanenumerated,andnotanimpliedone,andinnootherform,cantheobligationofcontractsbeimpairedbythem。Asystemofbankruptcyispracticallylimitedtotwoobjects,thereliefofhonestinsolvencyandtheequaldistributionoftheremnantsofpropertyamongthecreditors。TheUnitedStatestherefore,possessnovagueandindefinitepower,thatmaybeexercisedtotheprejudiceofindividualsamongthemselves,ortheexaltationofthepublicauthorityoverprivaterights。
Theremainingrestrictionshavealreadybeengenerallynoticed,butwillherebetranscribedtoclosethesubject。
Nostateshall,withouttheconsentofthecongress,layanyimpostsordutiesonimportsorexports,exceptwhatmaybeabsolutelynecessaryforexecutingitsinspectionlaws,andthenetproduceofalldutiesandimposts,laidbyanystateonimportsorexports,shallbefortheuseofthetreasuryoftheUnitedStates,andallsuchlawsshallbesubjecttotherevisionandcontrolofthecongress。Nostateshall,withouttheconsentofcongress,layanydutyoftonnage,keeptroopsorshipsofwarintimeofpeace,orengageinwarunlessactuallyinvaded,orinsuchimminentdangeraswillnotadmitofdelay。
1。Seeamongotherinstances,thecase。
ofCommonwealthv。Smith,beforeChiefJusticeTilghman,1809。
2。3Dallas,386。Calderv。Bull。
3。SeeDalrymple\'sMemoirs,vol。2,Mazure\'slatehistoryoftheRevolutionof1688,&;c。
4。Therearenowbuttwostatesintheunionwhoseconstitutionscontainexclusiveprovisionsinregardtoreligiousopinions。InMaryland,noonewhodoesnotbelieveintheChristianreligioncanbeadmittedtoanofficeoftrustorprofit。InNorthCarolina,thesameexclusionisextendedtoallwhodenythetruthoftheProtestantreligion。Butineveryotherrespectthanthecapacitytoboldsuchoffices,allstandonthesamefootinginbothstates。
5。1Bl。143。4Bl。147。LordMansfieldontheTrialofLordGeorgeGordon。
6。1Will。&;Mary,c。2。