M'Culloch v. Maryland · ¶15

If any one proposition could command the universal assent of mankind, we might expect it would be this — rthat the government of the Union, though limited in its powers, is supreine within its sphere of action. This would seem to result necessarily from. its nature. It is the government of all; its powers 'are delegated by all* it represents all, and acts for all. Though any one State may be willing to con-. trol its operations, no State is willing to allow others, to control them. The nation, on those subjects on, which it can áct, must necessarily bind its component, parts. But this question is not left to mere reason i the people have, in express terms, decided it, bysaying, <£ this constitution, and the laws of the United States, which shall be made in pursuance thereof,” “ shall be the supremé law of the land,” and by re-..., 1, „,,, J ' qu'irmg that the members of the State…

U. S. Reports, bound volume
U. S. Reports, volume 17, at 316 (Library of Congress) · transcription: Caselaw Access Project
Passage preview. Read in context for the complete text, notes and references.