Page:Kentucky Resolutions of 1798.djvu/63

Rh the 24th of July, with a fellow of the nameof at their head; they got pen, ink, and paper, and to work they went, drawing up resolves to the number of ten, amongst which is the following one, which, for sentiment as well as orthography, is unequalled even in the annals of American Democracy.

"'Resolvd, that thar es sufishunt resen to beleev, and wee doe beleev, that our leebeerte es in daingur, and wee plege ourselves too echeother, and too ouer countery, that wee will defende um agenst awl unconstetushonal ataks that mey bee mede upon um.'"

It must have been a very credulous people who could be at all imposed on by such feeble efforts as constitute the class to which this belonged, but party spirit ran equally strong in both directions. George Nicholas had achieved for himself so honorable a reputation that he v/as big game to these scribblers, and was given that meed of scurility which was at that time the penalty of prominence.

In order that the best results might be reaped from the existing agitation, and that Kentucky Republicanism might make its protest in the most effective manner, it was necessary that some champion should be fixed on to marshal the forces and lead in the assault. Eminently qualified as George Nicholas was for such a task, he was now in the decline of life, out of office, and, perhaps, personally averse to so arduous an undertaking. The desired leader was found in a young and ardent friend of Nicholas, who, after a number of years of separation, had, by his recent removal to Kentucky, reknit and strengthened the old ties, and probably