Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-10-20
Virginia Resolutions OF l70s.
DRAWN UP BY JAMES MADIsoN.l

DRAWN UP By JAMES MADISON.
Those who maintain the right OF
State to withdraw from the Union, and
deny the right of the other States to de-
tcrmine, whether, in justice TO themselves
and in accordance with the terms Of com
pact, they win allow it, base the asser-
ton of that right upon the celebrated re-
solutions of $50. The last Republican
reproduces these resolutions in support of
the doctrine ofsecession. We take issue
with the Republican as to the true mean
ing and Interpretation ofthese resolutions,
and that the public may understand what
is theirtrue construction,w we publish them,
giving the Republican the benefit Of its
CAPITALS and italics, together with the
explanations Of the author, as to what is
their real meaning.
IN THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Friday, December tie 21st, 1898.
Rosoired, That the General Assembly
Of Virginia doth uncquivocally express q
firm resolution to maintain and defend the
constitution of the United States, and the
Constitution Of this State, against every
aggression, either foreign or domestic; and
that they will support the Government oil
the United States in all measures warrant
cd by the former
That this Assembly most solemn
~ declares warm attachment 10 the I'm
ion Of the States, 10 maintain which, il
pledges its powers; and that. for this end
II is their duty TO watch over and oppose
erery ATTRACTION Of hosc principles uAicA
constitute tie only basis IF flat Union,
because the faithful observance of them
can alone secure its existence and the pub.
lie happiness.
That this Assembly doth cxplc tly and
pcrcmptorily declare, that IT VIEWS THE
POWERS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AS RESULTING FROM TIE COMPACT To
WHICH THE STATES ARE PARTIES, AS LINZ
TED BY THE PLAIN SENSE AND INTENTION
OF THE INSTRUMENT CONSTITUTING THAT
COMPACT, AS NO FARTHER VALID THAN
THEYARE AUTHORIZED by THE GRANTS EMU
MERATED IN THAT COMPACT; AND THAT
IN CASE OF A DELIBERATE, PALPABLE,
AND DANGEROUS EXERCISE OF POWERS
NOT GRANTED BY THE SAID COMPACT THE
STATES WHO ARE PARTIES THERETO HAVE
THE RIGHT, AND ARE IN DUTY BOUND, TO
INrTRPosE, FOR ARREsTING TIE PROGRESS
OF THE EVIL, AND FOR MAINTAINING, WITH
IN THEIR RESPECTIVE LIMITS, TIE AUTuo-
RITES. RIGHTS, AND LIBERTIES ArPER-
TANNING TO THEM.
That the General Assembly doth also
express its deep regret that spirit has, in
sundry instances, been manifested, by the
Federal Government. to enlarge its pow
crs, by forced constructions Of the consti-
,utional charter which defines them; and
that indications have appeared of design
toexpound certain general phrases, (w hich,
having been copied from very limited
grant of powers in the former Articles Of
Confederation, were the less liable to be
misconstrued,) so as to destroy the moan.
ing and effect Of the particular cnumcra-
'ion which necessarily explains and limits
the general phrases, and so as to CONSOLE
DATE THE STATES. BY DEGREES, INTO ONE
SoyEREIGNTY-TnE OBVIOUS TENDENCY
AND INEVITABLE RESULT OF WHICH WOULD
he TO TRANSFORM THE PRESENT RErtB-
LrcAN SYSTEM or THE UNITED STATES
INFO AN ABSOLUTE, OR, At BEST, A MIXED
MoNtRcuY.
That the General Assembly doth pariic
ularly protest against the palpablc and
/ "a Il.
the two late sessions. of the Allen and Sc
dlIion Acts, passed a, the last session OF
Congress; the first Of which exercises !,
power no where delegated to the Federal
Government. and which, by uniting Leg.
isla,ive and judicial powers 10 those ofthe
Executive, subvcrts the general principles
OF tree government, as well as the particu
Ian, organization and positive provisions Of
the Federal Constitution; and the other Of
" hich Acts exercises. in like manner n
power not delegated by the Constitution
but, on the contrary, expressly and posi-
lively forbidden by one ofihc amendments
thereto--a power which, more than any
other, ought to produce universal alarm,
because il is levelled against the right OF
freely examining public charters and inca.
sures. and of free communication among
the people, thereon, which has ever beer
justly deemed the Only eiicctual guardian
every other right.
That this State having, by its Conven-
lion, which ratified the Federal Constitu-
ton, expressly declared, that among other
essential rights, "tEe liberty of conscience,
and Of the press cannot be cancelled, a.
hridged, restrained, or modified, by any
authority ofthc United States" and, from
its extreme anxiety to guard these rights
from every possible attack of soph-
istry and ambition, having with other
Statcs, recommended an amendment for
that purposc-which amendment was, in
due time, annexed to the Constitution
1T would mark reproachful inconsistency,
and CRIMINAL degeneracy, if an Indifference
were now shown to tie most palpable VIC
la'ion Ct one fthe rights thus declared
and secured; and to the establishment of
precedent which may be fatal to the other.
hat the good people Of this Common
wealth having ever felt, and continuing to
ieei, the most sincere affection for their
brethren Of the other States, the trucst
anxiety Tor establishing and perpetuating
the Union all. and the most scrupulons
fidelity to that Constitution, which is tho
pledge Of mutual friendship, and the ins,ru-
mcnt of mutual happiness-the General
Assembly doth solemnly appeal to the
like disposition in the other States, in con-
fidence tina, they viii concur with this Com
monwealih in declaring, as it does hereby
declare, that the Acts aforesaid are IN
CONSTITUTIONAL, and that the necessary
and proper measures will he taken by
each for cooperating with this State in
maintaining unimpaired the authorizes.
nights, and liberties reserved to the States
respectfully, or to the People.
That the Governor be desired TO ,rars-