The southern press., 1852-02-10
From the 81 Louis Times.
The Virginia aad Kentucky Resolutions.

The resolutions OF Virginia and Kentucky in
1898 and 1899, the first of which were draw n
by James Madison and the second by Thomas
Jefferson, have ever been regarded as embracing
the constitutional principles Of the Democratic
party. immediately after the PRONUNCIATION and
adoption of tho Consolation, the federal and
republican parties were organized. The con-
stitutiona creed OF the federal party was that the
Constitution WAS framed by the representatives
Of the whole people Of the United States, rs ore
social and political colnmunty-that it formed
a government, in the usual acceptation Of the
term, with inherent as well rs delegated powers
that the ultimate sovereignty was in the gov.
eminent of the United States--that treason
against the United States was against the
central government, and not against the States
as sovereign confederated bodea---that Con-
gress had the power to do every thing which II
might deem Z" for the common defence and
general welfare'--that the words necessary
aud proper" mean only appropriate means
and that in all cases of conflict between the
! general and the State governments, the Supreme
! Court was the final srbiter. In. all these posi-
tons the republican party was distinctly at issue
with them.
| The first questions which brought the central
and State authorities into conflict were those
which arose out Of the passage of the alien and
sedition laws, during the administration of the
elder Adams. This alarming assumption OF
power reused the whole country, and gave birth
10 the celebrated resolutions Of Virginia and
! Kentucky, and to the elaborate and unans vera
bic report drawn up by Mr.. Madison and adopt
ed by the Legislature Of the Old Dominion. in re.
| joinder TO the resolutions Of the federal States
We find in the Southern Literary Messenger, a
work which has continued 10 sustain for a mum.
Der Of years the highest rank in periodical liter
ature, aud which we think ought TO be more
liberllly patroniZed in this State, the following
history of the origin, passage, and ultimate in
nueBce of these invaluable paJers. Such a his
tory will be more acceptable to oar readers than
any thing we can furnish them. IL forms por.
ton Of the sixth chapter of the History Of
Richmond" very valuable and entertaining
series Of articles
Durinq the summer of 1898, Virginia and the
whole Union were agiiated, from one end to the
other, by the passage Of the alien and sedition
laws. The power assumed, and directed TO be
carried out by these laws, struck with astonish.
menl the republican party, and excited the moot
strenuous efforts to combat them. Far more
excitement prevailed than during the momentou.
| tines Of 'Ss. and stormy session of the legs-
but no terror, in Nirginia; the attention of the
whole State was directed to Richmond; men
assembled 20 see what was TO be done in the
emergency. and many prepared TO visit the
capital during the winter session, 10 attend the
deliberations Of the legislature Every court.
green, and every place Of public meeting had
/ been battle-ground between the friends and
enemies Of these measures, until the public mind
was thoroughly wrought up on the subject and
the great contest was referred 10 the assembly
where a decisive battle was expected. Soon
after the opening Of the legislature, John Tay.
lor, of Caroline, offered the celebrated resolu.
tions, well known as the Virginia resolutions OF
] '9S They were written by Madison, and, like
every thing emanaiing from his pen, were cleai
in diction, lucid and forcibIe in argument. and
temperate in manner. They had been subjected
TO the most thorough and fierce ordeal that the
rancor of party spirit, aided by strong and well
informed intelects, can devise and they have
stood the test. No point in politics Is now bet.
Ter understood and believed in, than that thest
laws were unconstitutional and unjust. no msr
now defends them, and no party would ever
adept them.
These resolutions, after declaring the warm
attachment Of Virginia TO the Union, It's value
and its origin, and her determination TO maintain
the Constitution Of the United States and oftht
State against aggression; after declaring tina,
The powers Of The government are limited TO Tho
clear construction Of the Constitution, and that
ifexercised wrongfully, the States have the right
to interpose; then go on to speak Of the i'm
proper extension Of this power evidently tend
ing 10 consolidation, and finally TO monarchy
they tIen assajl the alien and sediiion laws az
the abuse Of powers delegated, and as rraspinp
power not delegated; and finally declare that
Virginia has ratified the Constitution as a safe.
guard TO liberty, nnd chat this being impaired by
Unconstitutional laws, she calls On her sister
States TO conspr with her in this declaration,
and in underwriting TO form measures BY which
to retain unimpaired the rights and liberties re.
served to the States or 10 the people.
Parties were warmly divided on the passage
Of these resolutions. and a very animated dc.
bate onsucd. John Taylor, who brought in The
resolutions, was their most powerful advocate,
and the most bitter and unfelenting opponent of
the laws lie was man well known for his
attachment to republican principles; for the