On the record
In the vain pursuit of ends by them entirely unattainable, and which they may not legally attempt to compass, they peril the very existence of the Constitution and all the countless benefits which it has conferred.
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gutenberg.orgFranklin Pierce: “In the vain pursuit of ends by them entirely unattainable, and which they may not legally attempt to compass, they peril…”
Editor's note · Context
Pierce argues that pursuing unattainable goals can jeopardize the Constitution and its benefits.
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More from Franklin Pierce
Let us, then, with redoubled vigilance, be on our guard against yielding to the temptation of the exercise of doubtful powers, even under the pressure of the motives of conceded temporary advantage and apparent temporary expediency.
But no clause of the Constitution is found on which to rest the claim of the United States to exercise jurisdiction over the soil of a State except that conferred by the eighth section of the first article of the Constitution.
They do not admit that the sovereigns of one continent or of a particular community of states can legislate for all others.
The proposition to enter into engagements to forego a resort to privateers in case this country should be forced into war with a great naval power is not entitled to more favorable consideration than would be a proposition to agree not to…
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