Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-09-05


On this question, great diversity Of opinion per
vaded all rsnks and all parties. Indeed many
statesmen Of the most enlightened minds, and
most devoted patriotism, differed freely and hon.
estly relative to the action Of the government. !
So much for General Hariison's views in relation
to our concerns with France He then agreed
with Washington, Henry, Marshall, Morris. and
John Jay; and he had the patriotic pleasure to
witness those who then denounced the policy
which that distinguished patriot approved and sup
ported-alterward acknowledge and advocate
the same doctrines. If tho approval by Gen.
Harrison of the administration OF Mr.. Adams as
regards the settlement Of our difficulties with
France, makes him supporter Of all the measuers
recommended by that officer, why is it that the
same sentiment Of opposition entertained by
Washington Henry, Jay, and others, should not
make them also the supporters of all the obonox
ous measueTs Of the elder Adams?
viii now turn to the alien and sedition law,
about which so much has been said The history
Of the country untolds the fact that the adopon Of
these measures gave rise to the highest exctenents
land contributed more thar any other. to chalk oui
the old party lines. Virginia. always faithful to
the laws and constitutions was the first TO aunpunce
TO tie world her determined opposition to those laws
In her legislature, in 1893 the elouuenre and in
QUESTION, TO oppose such nngrunt violation Of the
constitution. In Kentucky the same determined
spirit of resistance had also taken ground. In
| 1900, the same degree Of excitement pervnded the
whole COMMUNICATIONS wore few neurals in the
| contests then going on. 1t is well recolected by
the historian, that in 1890, on the floor Of Con-
gress. an effort made BY Cen Robert Guodloe
Harper, then q prominent mud distinguished repre-
sentative from the state Of South Carolina, to con
time in force the alien and scditiOn laws This
effort infUncd the minds of those who believed
that the re-enactment of these obnoxious laws
would subyert the sovereignty of the States. Ma
thew Lyon, Of Vermont, Judge Cooper, of Penn
syIvana, and James Thompson Calender. of Vir-
ginia were all tried and convicted in the Federal
Courts for violating Those laws. It is also fact
well known, that the conviction of Calender took
place in $500, and he was fined five hundred dol
lars and sentenced to Imprisonment On the 4,h
of March, 1901, Mr.. Jefferson assembled to the
throne Of power. He hsd drawn up the celebrated
Kentucky resolutions in 1893, and had taken
very prominent part in enlsavoring TO overthrow
these laws. His mind had partaken largely of the
excitement then OveIrunning the country One Of
his first executive acts was to command the Mar
Sha at Richmond 10 refund the fine imposed by the
Federal Court, and release Calender from impris-
onment, upon the ground that the laws were I'M
constitutional, and therefore not binding any in
dividual. What followed In one month thereaf-
ter, he appointed William H. Harrison to negotiate
with the Indians in the Northwestern Territory,
and clothed him with larger discretionary powers
than any man ever did receive from any executive
Now, is it reasonable to suppose, that if William
H. Harrison had countenanced aud supported these
laws, or had been one of the black cockade FEDERAL
lists he would have selected him to have dis
charged the important duties devoving upon ne
gotiator with The Indian tribes, and arming him
with mass of important powers! lie could not
nave been ignorant OF the fact if it we're so. 10