Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-09-13

The Kentucky aud virginia Resolutions

The KenuclSy aud Virginia Resolutions.
As publicity has recently been given to these
resolutions, together with an accompanying un-
qualified endorsement of their soundness as
political doctrine, by the "organ' of the Demo-
cracy, it may not be improper to attend, briefly,
to, first, the history of these celebrated resolu
tions, and, secondly, the doctrine promulgated
therein.
LIST, As to their history Their origin was in
a bitter partizanism Mr. jefferson, at that
time the leader as well as the ablest and frcest
of the opponents of President Adams Admin
istration, being their real author; though the
latter are generally imputed to Mr. Madison
The shielding cause of their PRONUNCIATION, was
the "Alien and Sedition" laws.
The "Alien" law, against which much is said
by those who know nothing of it, or of the
the only means of cOunteractng the influence
of French emissaries in this country. The
French Directory had many of these here fol
the only purpose of melting hostility in the
American people TO the existing administration
and government and TO acts Of seditOn. The
intent of the law was simply, that when an al
len was known to be hostile to the Government
or engaged in stirring up tumult and sedition
the President should cause the arrest OF sucl
person and remove him out of the country
That known as the "sedition" law, was inten
! ded to prevent the publication of such matte
as tended to foment sedition, and unlawful op
position TO the Government. 1t was, in word
to curb the great RIGHTEOUSNESS of the press
though too general and restrictive in its provis
ions The press had been employed by thos'
g. h slnyNVa ~ tFsNN
Of the Government, and TO incite combined re
sstance to its proper authorities.
Each law expired by its own limitation. Tht
first fulfilled its object by its mere enactment
in the departure of obnoxious aliens from th
country, and the authority which it conferred
upon the President was never exercised. Th
motive in the enactment of the second was
worthy one But, actuated by a too intense par
tzan zeal its trainers made its provisions to
sweeping The people were then extremel
Jealous of the liberty Of the press, as was righ
and proper they should be- but neglecting :
discern between liberty and 2centiousness of tn
press with their minds naamed by ambition
J leaders, pronounced speedy and general con
demnaton of the law. Several States had sim
liar enactments on their statute books. Bot
laws were approved by Washington and Patrlc
Henry, and many other eminent and good men
yet in the language of John Q. Adams, 'it ma
be admitted, without dsparagement to the nam
of Washington or Henry, or of the Congress
which passed them, that they were not good am
wholesome laws, nasmuch they wer
not suited to the temper of the people. -
A careful study of these laws, in the light Q
the times, will take from them much of thei
popular odium, and one may hesitate long be
! fore pronouncing them deserving of that gener
al Condemnation which partizanism has passe
upon them.
The astute leaders of the opposition saw, thi
in opposition to these laws, was their chance
disarm the administration of its hitherto ur
bounded popularity The principal worker i
the opposition was Mr.. jefferson, though he ID
bored secretly. The plan adopted was to gai
the cooperation and influence of the State Leg
: islatures. Mr.. Madison at Jefferson's reques
' drafted the Virginia resolutions and introduce
them into the Legislature of that State, Jeffel
son himself drafted the Kentucky resolution
and procured their introduction by his friends
These resolutions did not meet with favorabl
response by any other State, but were express
Ily diSdpproued by many. Kentucky afterward
, virtually repudiated her own action in the cas-
and all her celebrated statesmen of the Cla
and Crittenden school hold an adverse doctrine
Madison afterwards, at ripe old age, lahore
assiduously TO prove that he never favored tn
States Rights or Notification doctrines.
MENTOR