Gibbons v. Ogden · ¶99

In attempts to construe the constitution, I have never found much benefit resulting from the inquiry, whether the whole, or any part of it, is tobe construed strictly, or literally. The simple, classical, precise, yet comprehensive language, in which it is couched, leaves, at most, but very little.latitude for construction; and when its intent and meaning is discovered, nothing remains but to execute the will of those who made it, in the best manner to effect the purposes intended. The great and paramount purpose, was to unite this mass of wealth and power, for the protection of the humblest individual; his rights, civil and political, his interests and prosperity, are the sole end; the rest are nothing but the means But the principal of those means, one so essential as to approach nearer the characteristics of an end, was the independence and harmony of the States, that they may the…

U. S. Reports, bound volume
U. S. Reports, volume 22, at 1 (Library of Congress) · transcription: Caselaw Access Project
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