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Letter to Editor
August 29, 1798
Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
In August 1798, 'A Republican' argues in a letter to the Centinel that the sedition law is constitutional, as it restrains evil and promotes national welfare, aligning with the Constitution's goals to prevent disunion and factionalism.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
For the Centinel.
Were any one to say our constitution was designed to destroy itself, the absurdity would be manifest, yet calling our sedition law unconstitutional, appears to amount to that. No inconvenience will result from that law, to prudent men who value national welfare and it is no part of the constitution to accommodate its internal enemies; although it must protect them if their conduct be inoffensive.
True liberty, secured by government, consists in a total restraint from evil, and an entire freedom to do good.
The people of America agreed in what mode their sovereignty should be exercised, their will expressed and their force applied. Vesting in congress such powers as had ineffectually been entrusted to the several members of the confederacy; and also power "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution, the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officers thereof."
These other powers cannot but relate to the intent of that social compact, to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity."
Nothing therefore appears more constitutional, than an act of the supreme power, expressing the will of the people, against disunion, faction, national imbecility, and licentiousness; for, against these evils, the constitution was created; and were they prevalent, they would surely destroy it.
A REPUBLICAN.
August 1798.
Were any one to say our constitution was designed to destroy itself, the absurdity would be manifest, yet calling our sedition law unconstitutional, appears to amount to that. No inconvenience will result from that law, to prudent men who value national welfare and it is no part of the constitution to accommodate its internal enemies; although it must protect them if their conduct be inoffensive.
True liberty, secured by government, consists in a total restraint from evil, and an entire freedom to do good.
The people of America agreed in what mode their sovereignty should be exercised, their will expressed and their force applied. Vesting in congress such powers as had ineffectually been entrusted to the several members of the confederacy; and also power "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution, the foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officers thereof."
These other powers cannot but relate to the intent of that social compact, to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity."
Nothing therefore appears more constitutional, than an act of the supreme power, expressing the will of the people, against disunion, faction, national imbecility, and licentiousness; for, against these evils, the constitution was created; and were they prevalent, they would surely destroy it.
A REPUBLICAN.
August 1798.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
What themes does it cover?
Constitutional Rights
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Sedition Law
Constitutionality
National Welfare
True Liberty
Necessary And Proper
Disunion
Faction
What entities or persons were involved?
A Republican.
For The Centinel.
Letter to Editor Details
Author
A Republican.
Recipient
For The Centinel.
Main Argument
the sedition law is constitutional because it restrains evil, protects national welfare, and fulfills the constitution's purposes by countering disunion, faction, and licentiousness that could destroy the government.
Notable Details
Quotes The Constitution's Necessary And Proper Clause
References Preamble Goals: Form A More Perfect Union, Establish Justice, Etc.
Defines True Liberty As Restraint From Evil And Freedom To Do Good