The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-26
The FatrfnE ResoIutions.

Chicago Republican
|
The Fairfax Resolutions.
History is said to repeat itself The
| position in which the Southern States
find themselves by the action of the
dominant Radical party is somewhat
analogous to that of the Colonies in
IVA On the 18th of July, of that year,
general meeting of the freebolders
and inhabitants of the county Of Fair
fax was held at the Court House.
George Washington presided, and
| Robert Harrison was clerk of the meet
ing. The resolutions consisted Of TWEEN
ty-four, and were, in all probability,
drawn up by the celebrated George
Mason, who was one of the ulGllGi of
that day. As they are not inapplicable
to our present condition, we purpose to
give such extracts from these resolu-
tions as will prove of interest to our
readers:
l. That our ancestors, when they left
their native land and settled in America,
brought with them the civil constitution
and form Of Government of the country
they came from; and were, by the law of
udkuAo HuN nuAiOusg AubiLltA 70 III LIZ llElNl-
leges, immunities and advantages, which
have descended to US, their posterity, and
ought Of right to be as fully enjoyed"
2. "That the most important and yalua-
bic part of the British Constitution, upon
which its very existence depends, is the
fundamental principle of the peoples being
governed by no laws, to which they have
not given thear consent by representatives.
freely chosen by themselves; who are affect
ed by the laws they enact equally with their
constituents; to whom they are accountable,
and whose burthens they share; in which
consists the safety and happiness of the
community; for ifthis part Of the Constitu-
ton was taken away, or materially altered,
the Government must degenerate either
into sn absolute and despotic mon 4rchy, or
a tyrannical aristOctrcy, and the freedom of
the people be annihilatei."
5. "That the claim, 'ely assumed and
exercised by the British par lament, Of
making all such laws as they think fit, to
govern the people Of these colonies and TO
extort from US cur money without our con-
sent, is not only diametrieally contrary to
the first principles Of the Constitution, and
the original eompacts-but is totally in
compatible with the privileges Of free
people and the natural rights Of mankind,
will render our Legislatures merely IOmi-
nal and nugatOry, and is calculated to re
duce US from state of freedom and happi-
ness to slavery and misery"
6. "Thst taxation aud representation are
in their nature inseparable; that The right
of Withholding, or Of giving and granting
them our money, is the ouly effectual stcu-
rity TO a free people, against the eneroaoh-
ments of despOtisIn and tyranny; and that
whenever they yield the one, they must
quickly fall prey to the other"
z. That the powers over the people of
America, now claimed by the British House
of Commons, in whose election we have no
share, on whose determinations we can
have no influence, whose information must
always be defective, and often false, who,
in many instances, may have a separate,
and in some al opposite interest to ours, and
who are removed from those impressions OF
tenderness and compassion arising from
personal intercourse and connexions, which
soften the rigors Of the most despotic gov
eminent, must, if continued, establish the
most grievous and intolerRble species of
tyranny and oppression that ever was in
fieted upon mankind "
8. "That there is a premeditated design
and system TO introduce an arbitrary gov
ernment, TO which end the most malevolent
falsehoeds are propagated, particularly that
there is an intention in the American colo
MES to set up for independent States"
~. 4udA lAAt 5tNGI1l @2tks VI AE4ldmtnL
for raising a revenue upon the people Of
America, the creating new and dangerous
jurisdictions here the taking away our
tria.s by jury the sbrogation Of the
onarter Of Massachusetts, Bay, sre
part Of the above mentioned iniQuitOus sys-
tenn. That the inhabitants of the town Of
Boston are now suffering in the common
cause and therefore, a subscription ought
to be Immediately oIened, and proper per
sons appointed IN every county of this colo
nv to purchase provisions, and cOnsign them
TO some gentlemen of character in Boston,
to be distributed among the poorer sort Of
people there"
I5. THAT our most sincere and cordial
thanks be given to the patrons and friends
of liberty in Great Britain, for their spirited
and patriotic conduct, in support Of our
constitutional rights end privileges"
IA. "That every Little Jarring interest and
dispute, which has ever happened between
these colonies, shoul1 be buried in elnal
oblivion that all manner of luxury and
extravaganza ought Immediately to be laid
aside, as totally Inconsistent with the
threatening and gloomy prospect before US
that it is the Indispensable duty Of all gen
tlemen and men Of fortune TO set examples
of tempe ance, fortitude, irugality and in
dustry, and give every encouragement in
their power to the improvement Of arts and
manufactures in America that great care
and attention should be had 10 the cultivs-
ton Of fax, cotton and other materials for
manufactures
Il. "That during our present difficulties
and distress no slaves ought 10 be imported,
and We take this opportunity OF declaring
our most earnest wishes 10 see an entire
stop forever put to such wicked, cruel and
unnatural trade"
g
at Washington, is likewise parallel with
the examinations before the House of
Lords. In l775 Mr.. Richard Penn,
who had been Governor of Pennsylva-
MIA, on the S0th of November of that
year, was examined before the House
of Lords as follows
"Question.-Are you personally aeqTaint-
ed with many Of the members of Congress?
Answer am acquainted with almost
ell the members Of Congress.
Question.-Do you think they levy and
carry on the war for the purpose Of estab-
fishing an independent empire?
Answer think they do not carry on
The war for independeney. I never heard
them breathe sentiments Of that nature.
Question.-FOr what purpose do you be-
lieve they have taken up arms.
Answer.-ln defence Of their liberties"
In the letter Of John Adams 70 Rich
ard Henry Lee, Nov IS, I775, he says;
"a legislative, executive, and judicial
power comprehends the whole Of what
is understood by government It is by
balancing each Of these powers against
the other two, that the effort IN hu-
man nature towards tyranny can alone
be checked and restrained. and any
degree Of freedom preserved in the
Constitution Norfolk Virginian.