The solution to tyranny is interposition.

Interposition as a doctrine has long legal and religious roots in American history. Interposition is a FIRST PRINCIPLE.  Interposition is the concept of that “magistrate” which is closer to the people “positions” himself between the people and the unruly magistrate which is further away from the people (i.e. a county sheriff prevents a state or federal authority from arresting a citizen).

The doctrine of interposition was advocated by Thomas Jefferson and others as a necessary aspect of federalism, whereby a state could prevent the invasion of the reserved powers of state and people by some department of the federal government. John C. Calhoun of South Carolina on the eve of the War for Southern Independence reasserted interposition in the doctrine of nullification.  Nullification and “States rights” are no more and no less than applications of interposition.

Interposition was the solution advanced by Vindiciae Contra Tyrranos.

But let us suppose, that in this our ship of state, the pilot is drunk, most of his associates are asleep, or after large and unreasonable tippling together, they regard their eminent danger in approaching a rock with idle and negligent jollity; the ship in the mean season instead of following her right course, that might serve for the best advantage of the owners’ profit, is ready rather to split herself. What should then a mater’s mate, or some other under offer do, who is vigilant and careful to perform his duty? Shall it be thought sufficient for him to pinch or punch them who are asleep, without daring in the meantime to put his helping hand to preserve the vessel which runs on a course to destruction, lest he should be thought to intermeddle with that which he has no authority nor warrant to do?...Shall he consent himself to admonish his associates of their duty, who to their utmost ability endeavour the contrary?

The lesson is simple: lesser magistrates have the duty and responsibility to protect those citizens under their charge – even to the point of armed conflict.  Individuals on the other hand may resist, but cannot take up arms.  Militias by definition consist of every able-bodied and armed man in the locale.  Militia units organized outside the purview of a local official are a violation of legitimate Law.  The lesser magistrates have the duty, the responsibility and the biblical authority to act!

May Tennessee be freed by responsible magistrates!

From Solitude,
David O Jones