2-14-1867: “Such a bill makes a mockery of free institutions. . . . It annihilates the right of free assemblage. It silences the lips of free speech. It infringes the right of the people to bear arms. . . . it makes war upon the Constitution . . . It invades the sacred constitutional rights of the citizen. It is treason enveloped in the forms of law...."

Alexandria Gazette, “Such a bill makes a mockery of free institutions. . . . It annihilates the right of free assemblage. It silences the lips of free speech. It infringes the right of the people to bear arms. . . . it makes war upon the Constitution . . . It invades the sacred constitutional rights of the citizen. It is treason enveloped in the forms of law. It is rebellion wearing the garb of legitimate power. It is usurpation assuming the sanctity of constitutional enactment.”, Feb. 14, 1867