George Nicholas

“ See out resolves throughout the state; they breathe one uniform spirit of attachment to the union; and to the constitution of the United States, and our fixed purpose of defending them against any enemy: it is true, they go further and express in strong terms, that determined resolution of our souls, that we will sacrifice every thing we hold dear, before our inestimable liberties shall be torn from us, either by “foreign or domestic foes.” Are these declarations the causes of the offense taken at our conduct? Do they constitute our deadly sin? ”

“ The advocates of this bill give it great merit, because it declares, that in every prosecution founded on it, the defendant shall be at liberty, "to give in evidence, in his defence, the truth of the matter contained in the publication charged as a libel." I can never acknowledge the justice of a thief who restores to a man he has robbed, a part only of what he has taken from him; but, if I understand this bill, this clause is so far from restoring any thing, which had been before taken away; that it adds mockery to oppression. ”

“ And if the time shall really come that they are attacked, by any foreign nation, we will give the lie to those who now slander us—not by presenting "loyal and dutiful addresses"—nor by soliciting for lucrative commissions—nor by enrolling ourselves in the corps of volunteers, which from their having been unconstitutionally raised and officered, there is every reason to suppose are intended to be used for the worst of purposes—but by turning out as freemen and militia (the only natural, safe and constitutional defenders of their country) to protect and defend all that we hold most dear. ”

“ Among those principles deemed sacred in America; among those sacred rights considered as forming the bulwark of their liberty, which the government contemplates with awful reverence, and would approach only with the most cautious circumspection, there is none, of which the importance is more deeply impressed on the the public mind, than the liberty of the press. That this liberty is often carried to excess, that it has sometimes degenerated to licentiousness, is seen and lamented ”

“ If our private declarations have contradicted those which we have made in public, let it be proved; and I will then agree, that there is sufficient reason to believe that our public declarations are deceitful; but until some proof of this kind is brought, it ought to be supposed, both from our real interest and our public declarations, that we really are warmly attached both to the constitution and the union of the United States. Nothing can more justly bring discredit upon accusers of any kind, than their naming one set of persons as being guilty of the charge, at one time and place ”

“ Great, indeed must have been the change which has taken place in the sentiments of the people of America, if they cannot see a sufficient cause for our present conduct, in the belief which is strongly impressed on our minds, that our liberties, and the constitution of our country are in danger: although they may not see these things at the same point of view that we do, they certainly ought to acknowledge, that as long as we are under the influence of those impressions, that that alone will be sufficient to account for our present conduct. ”

“ It is not otherwise to be supposed that the constitution could intend to enable the representatives of the people to substitute their will to that of their constituents. It is far more rational to suppose, that the courts were designed to be an intermediate body between the people and the legislature, in order, among other things, to keep the latter within the limits assigned to their authority. The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts. A constitution is in fact, and must be, regarded by the judges as a fundamental law. ”

“ It is not at all surprising when we form such different opinions of our political situation, that our conduct also should be so materially different; but as the conduct of either, can be right only as far, as the opinion by which it is actuated shall prove to be just, we ought carefully to ascertain which of those opinions is founded on propriety. No country can be free, unless it has a constitution, limiting in a sufficient degree, the powers of those who are appointed to administer the government; and also guarding those power from abuse, as far as such a guard can be established. ”

“ If after having devoted the prime of your life to the establishment of the liberty of your country; if after having shed your blood in its defence; if after seeing yourself surrounded with children and grand children, for whose sakes you have voluntarily submitted to all the ills necessarily attendant on revolutionary wars; what will be your feelings in the declined of life, if you should see that liberty destroyed? ”

“ We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America. ”

“ So far from it's being right to abridge the freedom of speech or of the press, when it is exercised to censure the measures of government: it is the only time, when it is necessary to protect either of them. As long as the speaker or writer approves of their measures, he may not only proceed with safety, but he will be thanked and paid for it. ”

“ But I cannot believe, that the fact is, that this is the only state in the union, which judges properly of these measures, and which will discover a just abhorrence of them. If no other state in the union thinks as we do, Virginia, the ancient, the great, the powerful, the rich and the republican state of Virginia, still remains free and independent; and if she had not dared to vote against our president, from a dislike to his political sentiments; if she had not still retained her republican principles; if she had not thought and been determined to act, as we have done ”

“ I will examine a number of the acts of our government by these tests. The constitution declares that "congress shall have power to raise and support armies," an act passed by congress gives the president power "in the even of a declaration of war against the United States, or of actual invasion of their territories by a foreign power, or of imminent danger of such invasion, discovered in his opinion to exist before the next session of congress to cause to be enlisted and to call into actual service, a number of troops not exceeding 10,000; to be enlisted for a term not exceeding three years." ”

“ As commander in chief, we may safely calculate on receiving the most essential services from him, against any invading foreign enemy; but as commander in chief, we cannot derive any aid from him, against domestic tyranny, and violations of our constitution. No man doubts, if we are ever made subject to such a tyranny, but that it will be produced by violations of our constitution, by those who are invested with the powers of government: but the armies of the United States are raised by their order ”

“ If the writer's condemnation or acquital, is to depend on the political factions, and selected by an officer, under the absolute influence and control of his prosecutors and enemies; will it not put a total stop to all political writings, but those in favor of the measures of government: and how long will even the shadow of liberty remain, after the door of information, is by that means effectually barred against the body of the people? ”

“ You say "we think that no words can justify sedition under a constitution formed as a basis of government amongst a civilized people. We submit with chearfulness to laws regularly enacted by a great majority of our rulers." ”

“ A promise on the part of a representative, to obey the instructions of his constituents, is no security to them, when they differ from him as to important political principles. Instructions must go to specified objects, but after they are obeyed as to those objects, the obnoxious principle which was contained in them, may be thrown into another shape, and then the representative may consider himself, as being at liberty to follow his own inclinations. ”

“ What will it avail us, if we can preserve our independence as a nation, nay if we can even raise our country to the highest pitch of national glory, provided we at the time lose our own liberties? If France is at this time subjected at home, to the military despotism which is said to reign there ”

“ It is impossible that any well grounded fears could exist as to a few strangers in America; especially as they were liable to be restrained and punished, by the same laws which are considered as sufficient to control all other evil minded persons, although aided by wealth, and numerous acquaintances and connexions. The true way to remove all danger from emigrants, is, instead of restraining emigration, to make it as general as possible. In religion, a general toleration, prevents danger from any one sect, as all the others would unite against one, which should attempt to act improperly. ”

“ All political writings contain not only facts, but also reasoning and deductions drawn from those facts; and the object of the writer, must generally be illustrated by the reasoning and deductions drawn from the facts, and not from the facts themselves: and the libel if it is one, will consist generally, in what is contained in that reasoning and those deductions, and not in the facts. But evidence can be given only of the truth of facts, and no testimony can be brought to prove, the truth of opinions stated as arising out of those facts. ”

“ It is astonishing to hear of the immense number with you, who expect to be provided for by the government, the labor of those who do work, would not be sufficient to support those, who wish to live without it. Brought up in idleness, they know not what to betake themselves to; labor, they will not, and to beg, they are ashamed: their whole dependence is therefore placed, in receiving provision from the government. ”

“ If any man doubts that this would be the case, let him examine the infamous sedition bill passed by the senate, which destroyed the liberty of speech, as well as the freedom of the press—a bill which was altered in the house of representatives, so as to bring it into its present shape, only by a very small majority. ”

“ I ask then, what are those private views which are supposed to have influenced our conduct; and what are the personal advantages which could be expected by rational men situated as we are, which would be sufficient to compensate us for the ruin and destruction which would certainly be brought upon our country and posterity, by the adoption of such a measure? Can the wisest man amongst us foresee, if a separation should take place, what would be our political situation? ”

“ When you entrust the exercise of power to a virtuous man, you are safe; but if the man to whom the power itself is entrusted, is vicious, no security can be derived from a temporary appointment, or one during his pleasure, made by him, of an angel to exercise a part of that power, under his orders; because an Angel must obey, and because he will be exchanged for a different character, whenever measures are brought into such a state, has to require a different character to execute them. ”

“ The distinction between these two classes of aliens was not only known to, and established by law, but each class had a particular name affixed to it by law—the law denominating one of them denizens, the other naturalized citizens; and the common law had affixed such distinct and appropriate ideas to the terms denization and naturalization, that they cannot be confounded together, or mistaken for each other, in any legal transaction whatever. They were so absolutely distinct in their natures, that in England the rights they convey cannot both be given by the same power ”

“ As long as our excellent constitution shall be considered as sacred, by any department of our government, the liberties of our country are safe, and every attempt to violate them may be defeated by means of law, without force, or to malt of any kind: and the more unconstitutional an act of the legislature shall be, the easier it will be to defeat it in this way ”

“ All true patriots should unite in declaring these bills to be political monsters, and in demanding that they shall be put out of existence, as soon as it can be done constitutionally: and to prevent other bills of a similar nature, from rising out of their ashes, they should vote for no moan who will not unequivocally declare that congress have no constitutional power to pass such bills, under any possible state of things. ”

“ The only real security that can be given to the people, that their interest and principles will always be duly attended to by their representatives, must arise from their placing that trust in no man who does not possess both an interest and principles similar to their own. ”

“ What man who can exist in any other country, would remove to this, knowing that he was to be subject to such a despotism. This law is so unjust, as well as so obviously impolitic, that it furnishes the strongest presumptive evidence, that the true reasons for passing it, have not been avowed by the favorers of it. ”

“ But, since you have mentioned the Spaniards, I will inform you what our suspicions are, of the views of our government towards that nation. the war in which we are engaged with the French nation, promises no possible advantages; therefore, although the people of America may have been deceived so far as to induce them to consent to enter into the war, the blood and treasure which must necessarily be expended in its prosecution, without a chance of beneficial return of any kind; will soon make them sick of such a war, and open their eyes, as to the arts which forced them into it. ”

“ Under such a government, and in such a situation as ours, a popular military character may be of infinite service to an ambitious man, in raising an army, and in keeping every thing in order, until he supposes his power sufficient to execute his purpose, and until his schemes are ripe for execution ”

“ And that if they have, in so short a time, with the means which they then had in their power, and when they were opposed by all the constitutional barriers, been able to effect so much, that it will not now require any great effort on their part, to remove the remaining difference between the two governments; when their means of attack are increased in twentyfold degree, and when the principal constitutional barriers are already laid prostrate at their feet: unless the people of America, will rally around their constitution, for its protection. ”