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Show 8 enforce them."10 And though the Constitution nowhere de- clares expressly that these three branches of the Government shall be separate and independent, it remains true, as a general rule, that the powers confided by the Constitution to one branch cannot be exercised by another.11 Nor is Congress "per- mitted to abdicate, or to transfer to others, the essential legis- lative functions with which it is thus vested."12 Before turning to a more detailed consideration of the rele- vant powers delegated to the Federal Government, we should point out that Congress is expressly empowered to make all laws "necessary and proper" for carrying into execution its expressly delegated powers and "all other Powers" vested by the Constitution in the Federal Government.13 Nor should we forget, in examining the constitutional powers entrusted to the Federal Government by the people, that the instrument was intended to "endure through a long lapse of ages."14 It was this charter of government which the people of the United States established in order:15 to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity * * *. Commerce Power At the outset, it should be remembered that waterways pro- vided a principal means for conducting commerce in our early history. Indeed, the need for central control of commerce among the colonies was an important factor leading to the 10 Martin v. Hunter's Lessee, 1 Wheat. 304, 329 (TJ. S. 1816). 11 Ex parte Grossman, 267 U. S. 87, 119 (1925) ; Eiloourn v. Thompson, 103 U. S. 168,191 (1880). M Panama Refining Co. v. Ryan, 293 U. S. 388, 421 (1935). For example, the Supreme Court has said that "Congress cannot transfer its legislative power to the States-by nature this is non-delegable." Knickerbocker Ice Co. v. Stewart, 253 U. S. 149,164 (1920). " U. S. Const., Art. I, § 8, cl. 18. " Martin v. Hunter's Lessee, 1 Wheat. 304, 326 (U. S. 1816). M U. S. Const., Preamble. |