The States then being the parties to the constitutional…
“The States then being the parties to the constitutional compact, and in their sovereign capacity, it follows of necessity, that there can be no tribunal above their authority, to decide in the last resort, whether the compact made by them be violated; and consequently that as the parties to it, they must themselves decide in the last resort, such questions as may be of sufficient magnitude to require their interposition.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The states, as sovereign parties to the Constitution, cannot be overruled by any higher tribunal; they must resolve major disputes themselves.
In simple terms: States must settle big constitutional issues on their own.
Key Takeaway
Respect state sovereignty in constitutional matters.
Themes
sovereignty
constitution
federalism
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- national crises
- constitutional amendments
- interstate disputes
- judicial review
Key Concepts
legal authority
interstate relations
Questions to Reflect On
- How should states handle disputes that exceed their capacity?
- Can a higher authority ever be justified?
A Different Perspective
State courts may lack resources or impartiality for complex cases.