That the people have an original right to establish, for their future government, such principles as, in their opinion, shall most conduce to their own happiness, is the basis, on which the whole American fabric has been erected…. The principles, therefore, so established, are deemed fundamental. And as the authority, from which they proceed, is supreme … they are designed to be permanent…. The powers of the legislature are defined, and limited; and that those limits may not be mistaken, or forgotten, the constitution is written.
