The National Register.
London, England, 1809-04-09 00:00:00

POLITICAL DISQUISITION.

AUMBER SIXTY-FIVE.
-64111%.
IiEFO M:

"rite eott`it ptiot) of the best things gives rise to the *oisteLL-lii7

It is a lamentable truth, that governments, practically the
best, and the most enlightened in principle, have gradually de-
generated into the vilest and most intolerable despotism. The
first abuses were, in appearance. too trifling, and their 'grada-
tion too imperceptible, to excite alarm ; but they operated pro-
gressively, until crirrnption was to widely disseminated, that re-
medies only served to irritate the evil; aild reform became
practicable. Between this period and the extinction of the last
forms of freedom., the interval was filled up with conspiracies,
proscriptions, civil %Sari,, and every Crime which the maddest
ambition, fury, general licentiousness, systematic eon=
tempt of moral obligations, and legal i mpttnity, are capable of per-
petrating. The community sank,
.at last, ex hausted,and
mentally depraved, at the feet of the worst and Must ferbcious of
Its members. Then began along and gloomy night of human mi-
it, ptivate
punishid with
Such sttidiout cruelty; that, in wading through that abtiMinable
,erind, we are doubtful which to execrate most,--the vile herd
which italifferently w itnessed, or the want who perpetrated,
the atrocity. Such is, briefly and literally, the history of every
free people in ancient, and of some in modern, times.

'What an instructive and 'lvan! example to nations possessed
Of liberal institutions ! But to this country, in particular, what
a salutary caution does it fuhish ; which., from the very form of
its governalent, and the nature of its pursuits; is itectiliarly ex.
posed to the danger and abuse* we have described. It has suf-
fered all the t:troes and horrors attending the birth of freedom;
wit was a long, a dreadful, and a sanguinary period. Let us
beware the convulsions preceding its decease !—The charactei
and spirit of the age fit mankind fur the perpetration of atroci-
ties, compared to which the former, tremendous as they were,
-would be insignificant in duration and Violence ! These produced
to healthy and vigorous (airing ; ►ehn, at he grett up, made
more. than ample amends for the pangs attending the delivery.
But the latter would leave behind a fCitid ctscuse, Whose
efttu-
via Would contaminate the air, blast every generous plant, and
render the soil capable of generating only rancid weeds and
monsters.

States, like men, have their perlod of infancy, youth, man:-
hood, and define. They arc mortal like them, and receive at.
their formation seeds of disorder, which occasion their final dis.
solution. Some hive, likewise, a sounder constitution than
others ; and, if a proper regimen and suffici•'nt exercise he eta..
iiloyed, may enjoy a protracted and vigorous existence. None
are immortal ; and, however agoniring the idea is to the mind
of the patriot, his country too must suhinit to the common fate
of sublunary thinp,--extinction 1 To her sons, if they are high-
minded, this presentiment a ill rot cause much despondency; for
it i= in their powt.t.r to render the life of the patent long, respecte;li
and glorious.
Every one. who has studied the theory of our constitution,
admires its excellercy ; hut that a great and alarming relaxation
h visible in the practical application of it 4 ittincipka. hs.4, %%e
Ful. LXI7II.

sery and degradation; during which genins, ntry
tue. astd loge of etiontey, were persecuted and