第5章
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  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。

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