ments. It follows, that the amendment to the general contstitution, respecting the freedom of religion, speaking and
writing, or any other part of it, cannot be so construed, as
to bestow upon government a power inconsistent with its elementary principle. Such a mode of reasoning, would only be
a repetition of the idea of cutting off a king's head, by virtue of his authority; and if a stagnation of free discussion
will as effectually kill the moral being, national sovereignty, as a stagnation of blood would the physical being called
a king, then sedition laws are as favourable to national
sovereignty, as the decapitation of kings to monarchy. The
circulation of rational ideas by free discussion, is as much
a vital principle of the one, as the circulation of the blood of
kings is of the other.
There is a strong resemblance in some measures taken against each other, by contrary political principles. The head of Charles was assailed by the axe, under his authority, under protestations of loyalty to monarchy, and under the pretext of reforming abuses. National sovereignty, the head of our policy, has also been assailed even by opposite parties, acting under its authority, under protestations of loyalty to this sovereignty, and under the pretext of preventing sedition. It is wiser to strike at the head than at an inferior member, when a revolution is contemplated. A proposition to put out one of Charles's eyes, or to change the ratio of representation here, would probably have excited greater opposition than more deadly measures. By striking at a vital part, success ends the war. As republicanism aimed at the vital part of monarchy when she struck Charles's head, monarchy aims at the vital part of republicanism, by striking at free discussion. Deadly enemies strike at mortal parts.
If the third amendment to the federal constitution, was not intended to destroy the elementary principle of our policy, an effort to place that policy beyond the reach of the imperfection of language, and the sophisms of construction, is the only remaining intention, which can with
