first opportunity to make a stand. Opposition to even these violent
measures was however ineffectual in the Federal legislature; and the
Republican leaders determined to resort to the State arenas for the
decisive struggle.

It commenced in Kentucky, and resulted there in the adoption of a series
of resolutions, which were followed, in December, 1798, by similar
resolves of the Virginia Assembly. The latter, now known as "the
resolutions of 1798-'9," were drawn up by James Madison, not then a
member. They declared the determination of the Assembly to defend the
Constitution of the United States, but to resist all attempts to enlarge
the authority of the federal compact by forced constructions of general
clauses, as tending to consolidation, the destruction of the liberties
of the States, and finally to a monarchy.

In case of a "deliberate, palpable, and dangerous" exercise of powers
not clearly granted to the General Government, the States had a right to
interpose; and as the passing of the alien and sedition laws was such an
infraction of right, the assembly protested against those laws. The
seventh resolution called upon the other States to join with the State
of Virginia 'in declaring, as it does hereby declare, that the acts
aforesaid are unconstitutional, and that the necessary and proper
measures will be taken by each for co-operating with this State in
maintaining unimpaired the authorities, rights and liberties reserved to
the States respectively, or to the people.'

The resolutions passed the House by a vote of 100 to 63, and were duly
communicated to the several States of the Union. They met with little
favor, especially in the Northern States. Massachusetts and New England
generally remonstrated against them, and declared the obnoxious laws
both constitutional and expedient. This drew forth, in the winter of
1799-1800, Madison's "Report" in defence of his resolutions. This
elaborate paper subjected the resolves to an exhaustive analysis and
defended them with masterly vigor. It is the most famous of his
political writings and will rank with the greatest state papers written
in America.

Although the resolutions met with an unfavorable reception throughout
the States, they exerted a powerful influence on public opinion.
Virginia had shown how deeply in earnest she was by directing the
establishment of two arsenals, and an armory sufficiently large to store
10,000 muskets and other arms; but a wholesome ch