Thomas Jefferson On The Constitutionality Of Big Government

Posted: 7/31/2014

Thomas Jefferson wrote an opinion titled “Jefferson's Opinion on the Constitutionality of a National Bank : 1791”. His opinion should be taught in every high school throughout the land.

To quote from his opinion (emphasis added):

1. “I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: That " all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States or to the people." [XIIth amendment.] To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition.”
2. “The incorporation of a bank, and the powers assumed by this bill, have not, in my opinion, been delegated to the United States, by the Constitution.”
   [Does this mean that e.g. the Federal Reserve or central bank of the U.S. is unconstitutional according to Thomas Jefferson?]
3. “It must be added, however, that unless the President's mind on a view of everything which is urged for and against this bill, is tolerably clear that it is unauthorized by the Constitution; if the pro and the con hang so even as to balance his judgment, a just respect for the wisdom of the legislature would naturally decide the balance in favor of their opinion. It is chiefly for cases where they are clearly misled by error, ambition, or interest, that the Constitution has placed a check in the negative of the President.”

Excerpt From The Official White House Biography Of Jefferson

You find his White House biography here.

“Attacking Federalist policies, he opposed a strong centralized Government and championed the rights of states.” (emphasis added)