Page:The Supreme Court in United States History vol 1.djvu/98

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A singular suggestion made by one Congressman that a law be passed "to point out some regular mode in which the Judges shall give official notice of their refusal to act under any law of Congress on the ground of unconstitutionality", would seem to have been a complete and early recognition in Congress that the Judges would continue to exercise this power.

The decision evidently caused considerable excitement not only in Congress but in the community; and while, fifteen years later, it was the Anti-Federalists who assailed this form of exercise of judicial power, the curious fact should be noted that, at this time, the Federalists were apparently the opponents and the Anti-Federalists the upholders of the Judiciary. Thus, Freneau's National Gazette, a violent opponent of Federalism, applauded the decision of the Judges