"RESOLVED ...That this assembly most solemnly declares a warm attachment to the Union of the States,to maintain which it pledges all its powers;and that for this end,it is their duty to watch over and oppose every infraction of those principles which constitute the only basis of that Union,because a faithful observance of them,can alone secure its existence and the public happiness.... That the General Assembly doth particularly protest against the palpable and alarming infractions of the Constitution,in the two late cases of the "Alien and Sedition Acts" ... ;the first of which exercises a power no where delegated to the federal government ... ;and the other ...exercises in like manner,a power not delegated by the constitution,but on the contrary,expressly and positively forbidden by one of the amendments thereto...."
Why did James Madison begin the 1798 Virginia Resolution (Document 4)with this phrase: "That this assembly most solemnly declares a warm attachment to the Union of the States"?

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James Madison began the resolution by declaring his attachment to the Union of the States in order to make it clear that Virginia's opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts was not motivated by a desire to undermine or dissolve the Union. Virginia was still committed to the Union but felt it was necessary to oppose the unconstitutional acts.