Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-18
THE ALIEN AND sEDITION TIN Esq
THE PRESENT TIME.

we extract from an article in the Rnnsylrd.
''ian the following paragraphs, illustrating, in a
very striking manner the horrible effects of that
odious enactment during the administration of
the elder Adams, known as the alien and sedi-
tion laws. After commenting on, the alien law,
the writer proceeds to present his readers with
some Of the many instances of persecution,
insult and cruelty, that arose under the sedition
law. He says:
The sedltion law was even more objection
able. Its object was to shield the government
from censures justly merited, and originated in
that philosophy which inculcated that the peo-
pie should not be permitted to find fault with
a government of their own choice, on the
ground which forbids the government itself, and
those who administer it, from being separated
in the public mind, on the principle, we sup.
pose, that "thc king can do no wrong Mr..
Adams frequently complained that the CEN
sures bestowed upon those chosen to administer
the public affairs, were bringing the govern
ment itself into disrepute, not discriminating
between the government, whose structure might
be perfect enough, and the unworthy agents
who might control it for unworthy purposes.
He attempted, by general phrase about the
its officers
1.-THE act is entitled An act for the punish.
mcnt OF certain crimes against the United
Suites The first clause of this. act. which was
termed the sedition act ordained that if any
person should unlawfully combine or oppose
any measure of the government of the United
States, or intimidate any person holding place
or Office under the same, he shall be deemed
guilty of a high misdemeanor, and, on convic.
tion be punished by a fine not exceeding five
thousand dollars, and imprisoned during a term
not less than six months and not exceeding
five years
1.-The second clause enacted that if any
person should write or publish, or cause to be
written or published, any libel against the
goreramcn of the United States, or either
house of Congress, or against the President,
he should be punished by fine not exceeding
two thousand dollars, and by Imprisonment
not exceeding two years
This was a death blow aimed at the liberty
Of the press. BY the trials which took place
under it, the federal judges, Iredell, Chase,
Peters, &c, construed every publication which
did not approve Of the measures of the govern
ment and the conduct of the executive into a
libel, and subjected the supposed offender to
| the severe penalties Of its provisions The pro.
1 7NSa'iDiio e-'iiiAst i1yOIl,,Ol vermont,
Thomas Cooper, of Pennsylvania, 1.-THE distin.
guishcd companion and friend of DR.. Priest
ley,) James Thompson Calender, of Virginia,
David buckingham, of New York, and others,
are the best commentary upon its practical ope.
rations. That they were illegally fined and
imprisoned Congress has since declared, and
restored the fines, with interest, to them or their
legal representatives, as some compensation for
the injury done them.
mr. Burke, an alien, editor Of paper call
ed the Time Piece, in the city of New York,
was driven ont Of the country and the paper
silenced. Thus was that provision of the Con-
sttution, which declares that Congress shall
pass no law 'abridging the freedom Of speech
or of the press wantonly trampled under foot.
Nor did brutality and outrage stop at this
point. Federal vindictiveness was exhibited
by federal nobs and bulles insulting and beat
ing distinguished republicans. The venerable
and brave General Sumpter, Of South Carolina,
was insulted and abused at the circus in this
city in the summer of 1898, for refusing to pull
OFF his hat and clap his hands when President
Adams entered the place. A man named