 | Redoedo (39)
10/13/2003 |  John Adams has been scorned by history for signing into law the Alien and Sedition Acts. Although Adams himself never publically advocated the laws, he did sign them. The legislation was supposedly created as a means of preventing the aiding and abetting of France within the United States, and of obstructing American foreign policy. In reality, however, the laws were designed to influence politics and ensure the Federalist control of the federal government. Three of the laws were aimed at immigrants, most of whom tended to vote against Federalist candidates. The Alien Act, the only one of the four acts to pass with bipartisan support, allowed for the detention of enemy aliens in time of war without trial or counsel. Adams himself signed the legislation in the wake of the possibility of war with France, and not because of its political effects. While the laws themselves were designed to influence politics, Adams signed them to ensure U.S. domestic security in the event of a war. Contrary to popular belief, these laws only applied to alien immigrants, not U.S. citizens. So, Adams should be commended, in fact, because he DID NOT sign the laws for political gain. He signed them because he thought that they were good for the country, and at that time, when war with France was in fact a possibility, the Alien and Sedition Acts were necessary. So, although they were designed for political gain, Adams signed the acts into law for the sake of domestic security. Like his predacessor, Adams faced domestic rebellion over taxes. Farmers in eastern Pennsylvania rioted and attacked federal tax collectors in an incident later referred to as Fries's Rebellion. Several of their leaders were arrested and sentenced to death for treason. However, on the eve of the election of 1800, Adams pardoned all of the prisoners. Adams's action with regards to this rebellion was bold and justified, as the tax that the farmers were rebelling against was necessary to ensure U.S. national security in the event of a war with France. Much like Adams's signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts, his intervention in the Tax Rebellion, although unpopular, was necessary to ensure U.S. national security. Indeed, that is Adams's legacy- making unpopular choices that in the end cost him his Presidency. Making tough, unpopular decisions is key to being President of the United States.
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