We have before stated, that at the institution of our government there was a great fear on the part of a portion of the people of its consolidation and the extension of its granted powers over those reserved to the States and people. It was not however until the administration of John Adams, about ten years after the government had gone into operation, that the power of a State to pass judgment on the validity of the acts of the United States was suggested. Those who had elected Adams as President called themselves Federalists, and, as is natural in those controlling the government, were in favor of a liberal construction of its powers. The name federal, taking its Latin derivation, refers to a bond uniting states; that bond may be, however, that of a confederacy or of a nation. Perhaps it was a misnomer for the party in favor of a broad national construction of the Constitution. The name has come into use, however, as descriptive of our government; it is very generally called the Federal Government. The proposed uniting of states, like the British colonies in the Pacific, is spoken of as federal. Indeed there is no substantial objection to terming any sort of government made by a constitution or agreement federal. The party, at that time of our history, in opposition to the Federal, and who were in favor of a strict construction of the Constitution, called themselves by the national name of Republicans. When, however, they came into power under Jefferson, they were no longer strict constructionists. CHAPTER IV. KENTUCKY AND VIRGINIA RESOLUTIONS. During Adams’ administration peace had been endangered by the endeavor of foreigners to embroil the country in the war then raging in Europe. In 1798 the Alien Laws giving the power to the President to expel foreigners, and the Sedition Law punishing seditious acts and libellers of the government, were passed. The constitutionality of these laws may be fairly questioned. Jefferson, the leader of the party in opposition to those in power, was not a member of the convention that formed the Constitution, he was at that time serving the country in Europe. He was exceedingly disturbed by the Alien and Sedition Laws, and has generally been held as the instigator and author of the Kentucky resolutions condemning them, and asserting the right of nullification, passed by its Legislature in November, 1798.[65] The Virginia Assembly soon afterwards, late in December of that year, passed the famous resolutions so much relied upon by those claiming the right of nullification and secession. Jefferson did not find the Legislature of Virginia as compliant as that of Kentucky; and the resolves passed by Virginia differ fundamentally from those of Kentucky. [65] Two drafts of the resolutions in his handwriting were found amongst his papers and are published in his writings.