When was it published?

February 6, 1800 in Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

Editorial February 6, 1800

Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

Constitution Of The United States, General Government, The People

Q: What keywords are associated?

Federal Powers, Constitution Limitations, National Interests, Government Authority, Constitutional Defects

Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

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What is this article about?

The editorial critiques the limited powers of the U.S. federal government under the Constitution, using metaphors like Moses and Tantalus to argue that such restrictions prevent full realization of national interests. It praises the Constitution's benefits but laments if exercised powers exceed limits, emphasizing the need for constitutional sources over illegal assumptions, and asserts that without it, the U.S. would lack credit, freedom, and independence.

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OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

If the powers of the general government are so limited that they cannot embrace every object with which the essential interests of the United States are connected—the people, like Moses of old, may have a view of the promised land, but may not enter therein; or, like Tantalus, may have the waters of life flowing to their lips, but are not suffered to taste thereof.

The constitution of the United States has been highly complimented at home and abroad—and from the happy alterations in the circumstances of our country, under its auspices, the people have been led to subscribe to the opinion of its friends; but if the powers, which the government has exercised, exceed the limits prescribed, the people must most sincerely lament the restriction, and consider the constitution so far defective: for it is much better to derive such advantages from a constitutional source, than owe them to accident, or an illegal assumption of legislative power. One thing however is certain, that independent of the constitution we have no reason to suppose that the United States would at this day, have been either in credit, free or independent.

What sub-type of article is it?

Constitutional

What keywords are associated?

Federal Powers Constitution Limitations National Interests Government Authority Constitutional Defects

What entities or persons were involved?

Constitution Of The United States General Government The People

Editorial Details

Primary Topic

Limitations Of Federal Government Powers Under The Constitution

Stance / Tone

Critical Of Constitutional Restrictions, Advocating For Broader Legitimate Powers

Key Figures

Constitution Of The United States General Government The People

Key Arguments

Limited Federal Powers Prevent Embracing Essential National Interests, Akin To Moses Unable To Enter The Promised Land Or Tantalus Denied Water. The Constitution Is Praised For Positive Changes, But Exceeding Its Limits Prompts Lament Over Restrictions And Views It As Defective. Advantages Should Derive From Constitutional Sources Rather Than Accident Or Illegal Assumptions. Without The Constitution, The United States Would Not Be In Credit, Free, Or Independent.