mail
Letter to the Editor for Spring 2021
By Constitution Staff
State Legislatures Must Enforce the Constitution
Prior to the Civil War, the national government said slaves were property like cattle, so if they went from a slave State into a free State, the free State would have to enforce national law to force the slave to be returned to the slave owner.
Some free States rightly refused to enforce the national Fugitive Slave Act as null and void within their State.
This doctrine of Nullification was explained by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison (“Father of the Constitution”) as follows:
“In cases...where powers are assumed which have not been delegated [to the national government], a nullification of the act [within a State's boundaries] is the rightful remedy: that every State has a natural right...to nullify of their own authority all assumption of power by other within their limits....”
In fact, Madison said States not only “have the right, [but] are in duty bound” to not enforce within their State any unconstitutional federal laws. That’s what the Ninth and Tenth Amendments to our Constitution are all about.
State laws are being passed to nullify unconstitutional actions by the national government within their State.
For instance, in Oklahoma, Senate Bill 631 will protect Oklahomans from federal gun controls in violation of the 2nd Amendment, and prohibit all cities and counties from accepting any federal money to implement federal regulations infringing on the right to keep and bear arms.
Contact your State legislators. The Constitution provides the solution to national government tyranny.
Are you joining with others to be part of the solution?
Brad Baker
Sperry, OK
Latest Commentary
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
Wednesday 31st of January 2024