The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-02-28

Idenouncing the laws, and his speech was cor
sidered the most effective that was delivered.
The three most able opposcrs Of the rcso-
lutions were George Keith Taylor, the broth
cr-in-law and friend Of Marshall Gen. Lee
and Edmund Brooke. To the first we owe
our pcntcntary system, and many other
improvements in our criminal code; he was
the most thoroughly informed man in the
House on questions Of law; an accurate pro
found, and eloquent lawyer and politician.
He defended the laws as necessary and prop
CT under the state Of affairs then existing;
asserting that Congress had the right to pun
ish offences against the law Of nations, and to
ensure domestic tranquility, by preventing
foreigners from interfering with our affairs
of State; and that this the alien law proyid-
ed for; that the common law did not punish
sufficiently the RIGHTEOUSNESS Of the press.
and that to prevent false and scandalous H.
bells from being issued was not to ahridgc its
freedom; and this, the scdition law prevent
ed. General Lee, Edmund Brooke, and
others, men Of great reputation for high ton
ed character and ability followed in SINH
lar strain
The resolutions passed, were transmitted
to the States composing the Uuion, and ex-
cited discussion and called forth opinions
wherever they went In thccnsuing session
great display Of talent was looked fer, as
Patrick Henry had left his retreat, being
elected to the legislature, and intended to adj
yocato a repeal Of the resolutions; the friends
and opponents Of the laws were very active,
and the best men Of both parties were elect
Il. 4 9 Il,
resolutions, was among them. Patrick Hen
ny died; what his influence would have been,
, it is impossible to say; had he entered the
legislature we should have seen another bat
, tie Of the giants; had he been oycrmatchcd
, and overcome by his numerous and able op-
poncnts, he would have fallen Sampson-Iikc,
dragging his enemies down with him. Rich
m0nd was again filled with a crowd anxious
to see and hear; the resolutions had caused
men to think on the powers Of the federal
government and the public mind was stir
, red up. kentucky was the only State that
. responded to the resolutions, accepting them;
/ every other one had either passed them BY
! OF condemned them. These replies called
/ forth the celebrated report Of Madison, cx-
= planning and illustrating these resolutions.
1t settled the question IN the minds OF most
men; and gave to our people the first clear
| and wcIl-undcrstood character Of the Consti-
| tuition. The opinions thus expressed and
I explained, serve as a standard by which ia
( measure the powers Of the Constitution. and
/ will ever be regarded as the most useful and
t lasting cmanation from the mind and pen Of
D Madison.
Richmond has then the honor that with
r in it the first organized system Of resistance
/ was proposed; again, that in it the federal
5 Constitution was adopted, after strict trial
and thorough examination; and now again
1 she has the honor almost alone, aud in the
e face Of Opposition enough to have shaken a
less determined people ofhaving shown how
+ that Constitution IS to be explained and car
= ricd out