Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1852-11-30
VIRGINIA RESOLUTIONS OF 1898.

Resolrcd, That the General Assembly of Yir-
ginia doth unequvocally express a firm resou.
ton to maintain and defend the Constitution of
the United States, against every aggression, ell
ther foreign or domestic, and that they will sup
port the Government of the United States in all
measures warranted by The former.
That the general assembly most so'emniy de-
clare a warm attachment to the Union of the
States, TO maintain which it pledges all its pow
er; and that, for this end, 1t is their duty TO
watch over and oppose every inraCtiOn OF those
principles which constitute the only basis OF that
union, because faithful observance oEthem can
alone secure its existence and the public happl-
ness.
That this assembly doth explicitly and pe-
remptOrily declare that it views the powers OF
the federal Government, resulting from the
compact to which the States are parties, as limit
ed by the plain sense and intention of the in
strument constituting that compact, as no tar
ther valid than they are authorized by the grants
enumerated in that compact; and IN case o!
deliberate, palpaOle and dangerous exercise OF
other powers not granted by the said compact,
the States. who are parties thereto, have the
right, and are in duty bound to interpose for
arrestiDg the progress of the evil, and for main
taininp within their respective limits, the au-
thorities, rights and liberties appertainiDg to
them.
That the general assembly doth also express
its deep regret that spirit has, IN snndry IN
ta,,ytss; Ueth manIIestoI-by the fedvr al govern
;ment to enlarge its powers, by forced cOnstruc-
tions of the constitutional charter which defines
them: and the indications have appeared to ex-
pound certain general phrases, (Which, having
been copied from the very limited grant OF pow
ers in the former articles OF confederation were
the less liable to be misConstrued,) SO as to de-
stroy the meaning and effect OF the particular
enumeration which necessarily explains and lin
It's the general phrases, and SO as to consolidate
the States by degrees, into one sOveTeignty-the
obvious tendency and inevitable result OF which
would be to transform the present republican sys'
tenn the United States into absolute, or, at
abest, mixed monarchy.
That the general assembly doth particularly
protest against the palpable aud alarming inrac-
tions of the Constitution, and thetwo la;e cases
of the alien and sedition acts, passed at the
late session of Congress the first of which ex-
ercises power no where delegated tothe tede-
raj government; and which, by uniting leglsla'
tive and judicial powers to those OF executive,
su6yerts the general principles OF free govern,
ment. as we'll as the particular organization, and
spositiye provisions of the federal Constitution
and the other of which acts exercises In like
manner a mower not delegated by the Constitu-
tion; bnt, on the contrary, expressly ana posi-
stiVelv forbidden 6y one of the amendments there
TO: power, which, more than any other, ought
n nroduce universal alarm, because 1t Is level
lad AGAINST that right of freely examining public
sbaTseters and measures and oft communi-
6ation Of The people thereon. which has been
S. deemed the only efectual guardian ofeVery
31IlieS right
Tbat This State having by its convention,
y,hicl,f fled the federal Constitution. express.
AZ AZ IA. that among other essential rights,
q Tie Hbeft conscience and the press cannot
e. sanceiI "a abridged restrained or modified BY
suv auth6Eity % the United States, aud from
Is sxlFeme anxiety 10 guard these rights from
erefg 1o Isl Is Of sophistFY and ambition,
sbaQind 3ith olIieE States. recommended an
smendment fpF sbl purpose, which amendment
was. d dla lims, ANNEXED tls Constitution g