Page:Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States (1st ed, 1833, vol II).djvu/345

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CH. XII.]
PRIVILEGES OF CONGRESS.
337
terposed by the constitution has been received with general approbation, and has been thought to have worked well during our experience under the national government.[1] Indeed, the strongly marked parties in the British parliament, and their consequent dissensions have been ascribed to the non-existence of any such restraints; and the progress of the influence of the crown, and the supposed corruptions of legislation, have been by some writers traced back to the same original blemish.[2] Whether these inferences are borne out by historical facts, is a matter, upon which different judgments may arrive at different conclusions; and a work, like the present, is not the proper place to discuss them.
  1. Mr. Rawle's remarks in his Treatise on Constitutional Law, (ch. 19,) are as full on this point, as can probably he found. See also The Federalist, No. 55; 1 Tucker's Black. Comm. App. 198, 214, 215; 2 Elliot's Debates, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282; 1 Wilson's Law Lect. 446 to 449.
  2. 1 Wilson's Law Lect. 446 to 449.

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