The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-05-08

| The Prince of Wales was to have sailed for
Canada at the end of April.
RESOLUTIONS OF 'eS-'es
| A great deal is written and said about the Vir-
! gipia and Kentucky Resolutions of 49, but we
are inclined to believe that many persons who
fer Familiarity to these celebrated expositions of
political right, not fully acquainted with them,
or with the circumstances which gave rise to them.
A brief statement therefore, OF the facts, may not
be amiss, especially those of the rising generation,
whose lives commenced long after the political
agtations preceding and following the passage of
the resolutions in question. They were caused by
the Alien and Sedition laws which originated in
the popular indignation against France, for insult
| ing our ENJOYS under the administration of John
Adams. The French Directory had inflicted in
| juries upon commerce for many years, in con-
sequence of the neutral policy naugurated by
Washington, and powerfully supported afterwards
by Jefferson, in spite OF his strong ineinatlons In
favor of the French Revolution and the French
| people. ENJOYS dispatched to complain of
these INJURIES but were received with much in-
difference and bjected to SO many Sights and
insults by the French Government, that the ad-
ministration and nation at large were filled with
violent ndignation In the Spring Of 1897 &C
cordngly, the President sent in his celebrated
"War Message" which electrified Congress and
the country 1t was enthusiastically responded to,
and Congress passed laws empowering American
merchant vessels to violently resist any attempt at
search or misunderstanding large sums Of money
for national dcfence-and lastly, the Alien and
SedtiUn acts; the first of which authorized the
President to order out of the country, on heavy
penalties of disobedence, all aliens whom he
garded dangerous; and the latter declared any
attempt to defume the President or Congress, by
false and malicious libes tending to excite the
public against them, sedition, and punishable with
fine and imprisonment These laws passed tr-
umphantly by the votes of the Federal party, then
in large majority in Congress, and backed by
the nation, who were in fame at the wrongs Of
the Directory. The Republicans, headed by JEFF
ferson and Madison, vainly endeavored to resist
them. They were completely silenced by the gen
eral excitement or clanor against France, and in
favor IF the policy Of the Administration. The
consequence was that FINDING themselves of no
use" Oh the floor of Congress- the Republicans
determined to raise the issue Of the constitutions
ality of the acts, in the State This led to
the celebrated Resolutions to which We have
referred. Kentucky led off That State then
closely allied to Virginia, Of which it had been a
part; settled in great measure by Virginians
and looked to the parent stem for guidance. At
the request of some of his associates, Jefferson
drafted Il series OF resolutions, which passed the
Kentucky Legislature in the winter of 1898; and
these Immediately followed by similar resolu- |
tions in the Virginia Assembly. The latter-the !
"Resolutions of 98-'99"-were written by James
Madison, at the room No. 9, in the old Swan !
Tavern on Broad Street, in Richmond, it is said.
They were bold and determined protest against
the Alien aud Sedition laws, unrepublican and !
acknowledgements the consolidation policy,
opposed to the theory of the Constitution, and |
tending to the subuersion of the rights of the |
States-and the separate States were called up
on to resist all attempts to make them mere pro-
vinces OF great EMPIRE and defend and maintain
invioate, all their rights and privileges under the
general compact.
Such were the circumstances attending the pas |
sage of these protests against wrong; and such the
theory which they advocated, and the end which |
they were desi gned to accomplish. They became |
the corner stone of Democratic principles, and have
continued from that time to this, to represent the
views of that party upon the theory of American
COVER ment. They were strongly opposed by the
Federal party, rather, it would seem, upon a view
of the peculiar condition of the country at the
time, and the apparent necessity for strong meas
ures on the part of the Administration than upon
abstract grounds.
A very large number of opponents Of the Re |
publican or Democratic party were opposed to the
Alien and Seditcn laws as unconstitutional, but
the line then drawn close between the two
great factions that the Resolutions had ardent OPP
posers. The laws that drew them forth are now |
sttutional and indefensble. So thought tens of
thousands who still actei with the Federal OPP |
stion upon other measures.
AS exposition of the true philosophy of Ameri-
can Government, it is hard to find any flaw in the
Virginia Resolutions. They define, with mastery |
ability and clearness, the measure of power and
authority possessed by the general government,
and the separate States, under the Federal COM |
pact, and set forth theory Of government which
is undoubtedly the true one, under our constitu-
ton The necessity of such construction is at
this time more obvious than it ever was before;
and hazard the assertion, without fear, that |
niDe-enths of the South, without regard to party,
are at this moment unhestating believers in the
political philosophy Of the Resolutions of '99.-
Richmond Index.
TIE WHEAT CRoP.-Contrary to the predic- |
tions of our croaking race, the present prospects
for wheat are encouraging. Many think the crop
is backward. But some of our best farmers think |
differently. The advanced condition of other
vegetation presents the wheat in unfavorable con-
trast Hence we hope TO have bread plenty
Perhaps within the memory of the oldest inhabit- |
ant such spring the present has not been
known Vegetation with us is very far advanced |
The farmers have finished planting corn, many are |
working it for the first time and fruit-trees are