State Representation Quotes
Lieber is best known because he was assigned by President Lincoln to study the then international laws of war and prepare a manual for the guidance of union troops in the Civil War. Lincoln then issued the document as a general order.
At the time few believed he would not slow down or kill all civil rights legislation as he had done throughout his career. But this is one example of a politician telling the truth on the campaign trail with few believing him. He certainly vindicated his early civil rights record once he became president.
Martin and other anti-Federalists argued against ratifying the new Constitution as they thought that it was inimical to the state’s interest. The notion of Federalism as a danger to states is clearly stated in this quotation for the debate on Constitutional ratification. Fundamentally, are Senators representatives of their states or of the Federal Government. If the former, who can the senators be recalled or impeached by the states to who the presumably owe their loyalty? This issue, like so many others, was compromised. The States would control the selection and method of selection of the Senators but could not recall or impeach. Looking back, we see this as logically inconsistent. However, looking at it as a political compromise between two legitimate points of view, it seems quite reasonable. Early America was a combination of idealism and pragmatism which has carried throughout American history.
At the time Harrison, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was a Colonel serving under Washington. The war had been somewhat successful but the country was very weak and in great danger. Most of the state leaderships had given little thought to the problems of the new nation beyond simple government of the state. Harrison’s son and great grandson would both become Presidents of the United States.
