p.

30

which he has made with another. Nor does it make any
difference, whether the state acts by an ordinary legislature
or by a convention, for, in both cases, the state is the same
party. A change of representation no more alters the
identity of the party to a contract, than a man changing his
coat makes him another man.

It is not unusual for a state, in granting charters, to
reserve the right of repealing the act--a reservation which
shows that legislatures have always considered a grant with-
out such reservation as not repealable. Indeed all the prin-
ciples of justice and right, in regard to the contracts of
individuals with each other, are applicable to grants and
contracts of states.

The citizen or citizens who accept a charter, with a
clause of reservation as above stated, accept the grant on the
condition specified, and no injury is done by the legislature
in taking back the grant.

The doctrine that there can be no vested rights sub-
verts the foundations of society ; and a country, adopting and
acting on that doctrine, would soon be depopulated, or com-
pelled to submit to be governed by a military force.

Many of our public evils have evidently proceeded
from false opinions propagated by some of the founders of
our government. Their ideas of a free government were
not always correct. Mr. Jefferson, and many other distin-
guished men, believed, that men can govern themselves
without a master ; meaning, probably, without a king. True,
but they cannot govern themselves without a controlling
power, a force of some kind or other that shall be sufficient
to keep them in subjection. If the citizens of a state will