The true Democrat., 1856-06-24

JOHN CAMPBELL, s. $. P. T. Passed the House of Representatives, Nov. 10, 1798.
 Attest: THos. TODD, c. H. R. In Senate, Nov. 13, ,1799-Unanimously con- cured in.
 Attest: 3. THURsToN, c. s. Approved, November 19th 179S.
 JAMES GARRARD,
 Governor of Kentucky. By the Governor
 HARRY ToULMIN, Secy of State.
 Virginia Resolutions of 179S.
 DRAWN UP BY JAMES MADISON.
 Aa the Nryinia House of Delegates, Friday,
 December 2l, 1798.
 Resoluel, That the General Assembly of Vir- ginia doth unequivocaly express firm resou- ton 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 go- vernment of the United States in all measures warranted by the former.
 That this assembly most solemny declares warm attachment to the Union of the States, to maintain which it pledges its powers; and that for this end 1t is their duty to watch over and oppose every anfact;on of those principles acAich constitute tae only basis cf ttat Union, be- cause a faithful observance of them can alone secure its existence and the public happi- ness.
 That this assembly doth explicitly and per emptorily declare that it views the powers of the federal government as resulting from the compact to which tue States are parties, as li- mted by the plain sense and intention of the instrument constituting that compact, as no farther valid than they are authorized by the grants enumerated in that compact; and that in case of a deliberate, palpable and dangerous exercise of other powers, not granted by the said compact, the States, who are parties, there. to, have the right and are in duty bouha to ia- terpose, for arresting tue progress of Me evH and or maintaining, aoithin Meir respective Hmits, tue authorities rightS ond liberties appe,taining to uaem
 That the General Assembly doth also express its deep regret that spirit has, in sundry in- stances been manifested by the federal govern- ment to enlarge it's powers by forced construc- tons of the constitutional charter which de fines them; and that indications have appear. ed of a design to eXpound certain general phrases, (which, having been copied from the very limited grant Of powers in the former ar tcles of confederation, were the less liable to be misconstrued) so as to destroy the meaning and effect of the particular enumeration which necessarily explains and limits the general phrases, and so as to consolidate the States, by degrees, into one sovereignty, the obvious ten- dency and inevitable result of which would be to transform the present republican system of the United States into an absolute, or at best, c mired monarchy.
 That the General Assembly doth particularly Y
 
 protest against the palpabe and alarming in fractions of the constitution, in the two late cases sOf the alien and sedtion acts" passed at the last session of Congress; the first of which exercises power no where delegated 10 the federal government, and which, by uniting legislative and judicial powers to those of ex- ecutlve, subverts the general principles of free government, as well as the particular organiza- ton and positive provisions of the federal con- stitutIon; and the other of which acts exer- cises, in like manner, power not delegated by the constitution, but on the contrary, expressly and positively forbidden by one of the amend ments thereto; power which, more than any other, ought to produce universal alarm, be- cause it is levee! against the right of freely examining public characters and measures, and of free communication among the people there on, which has ever been justly deemed the I J That this State having, by its convention which ratified the federal constitution, express ly declared that, among other essential rights, the liberty of conscience and the press cannot be cancelled, abridged, restrained or modified, by any authority of the United States,'' and from Its extreme anxiety to guard these rights from every possible attack of sophistry and ambition, having, with other States recon mended an amendment for that purpose, which amendment was, in due time, annexed to the constitution, 1t would mark areproachful incon- sstency and criminal degeneracy, if an indiffe renee were TOW shown to the most palpable vii olatlon ot one ot the rights thus declared and secured; and to the establishment of prece- dent which may be fatal to the other
 That the good people of this commonwealth having ever felt, and continuing to feel, the most sincere affection for the brethren of the other States; the truest anxiety for establishing and perpetuating the union of all; and the most scrupulous fidelity to that constitution which IS the pledge of mutual friendship, and the instrument of mutual happiness, the Gene raj Assembly doth soemnly appeal to the like dispositions in the other States, in confidence that they will concur with this commonwealth in declaring as 1t does hereby declare that the acts aforesaid are UNCONSTITUTIONAL; and that the necessary and proper measures will be ta- ken by each for cooperating with this State in maintaining unimpaited the authorities, rights and liberties reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
 That the Governor be desired to transmit copy of the foregoing resolutions to the execu- tive authority of each of the other States, with request that the same may be communicated to the Legislature thereof; and that a copy be furnished to each of the senators and represen- tatives representing this State in the Congress of the United States.
 Attest, JOHN STEWART. Senate. H. BROOKE. A true copy from the original deposited in the office of the General Assembly.
 JOHN STEWART,
 Keeper of the Rolls.