The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-09-22
Volume l2-Number l8

the entire appreciation of this Assem-
bly,. They therefore decidedly re
fuse to concur with the Legislature
of Virginia in promoting any of the
objects attempted, in the aforesaid
resolutions" ft
The Legislature of New Hamp-
shire, on the 10th of, June, 1709,
unanimously expressed "firm reso-
luton 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 government of the United States
in all measures warranted by the
tormer." ..... fnu.f.s
That the State Legislatures are not
the proper tribunals to determine the
constitutionallty of the laws OF tho
general government; that the duty of
such decision is properly and exclu-
sively coniided to the judicial depart
ment.
That 1t the Legislature or New
Hampshire, for mere speculative pur.
poses, were to express IN opinion on
the acts of the general government,
commonly called "the Alien and
Sedition Bills" that opinion would
Tunreservedly he, that those acts are
constitutional, and in the present,
critical situation of our country
highly expedient. oD 500
That the constitutionality and ex.
pediency of the actsafore said have
been very ably advocated and clear.
ly demonstrated by many citizens OF
the United States, and especially by
the minority of the General Assem-
bly, of Virginia. The Legislature Of
New Hampshire, therefore, deem it
unnecessary, by any train of argu-
ments, to attempt further illustration
of the propositions, the truth OF
which, it is confidently believed, at
this day is very generally received
and acknowledged. --' 'u' 10
The Legislature Of Vermont, on
the 39th of October 1899, Resolved,
; That the General Assembly Of Yer
mont do highly disapprove of the
resolutions of the General Assembly
of the State of Virginia, rs being un-
constitutional in their nature, and
dangerous in their tendency. 1t be
longs not to the State Legislatures
to decide on the constitntionality OF
tho laws made by the General gov
ernment; this power being exclusive.
ly vested in the judiciary courts OF
the Union" ....
= 1t will be seen that these famous
f RESOLUTIONS Of 1I9S' contain tho
! gem of the heresies Of nulliication
and secession. They were sent forth
at time of great popular excite
, nent, and under the auspices OF the
names of Jefferson and Madison -
Now these men, and especially 1lr.
Madison, could have been brought
to lend the influence Of their names
and authority to the propagation OF
the doctrines set forth in these Res
, olutions, Is now matter OF Just sur
prise. They both lived to- give n
practical reverse to the doctrine OF
these resolves, and owed il TO their
exalted characters to make formal
retraction Of them, which, however,
q we believe they failed to do. Tho
f attempted notification OF 1882, and
the calamitous attempt at secession
lin 1861, are the bitter fruits of that
d, omission. The effort to gaivahizc
those doctrines, in the last four years,
can be excused only on the ground
Of political insanity. The expert
ment is only excusable on the ground
that the monstrosity of the doctrines
divest them of the power to infict
further injury, and yet in the year of
grace, 1865, they are the chart, sheet,
anchor, compass and rudder Of the
, Ohio Democracy. .' -''.