The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Boston [Mass.]) 1770-1772, 1771-12-26
For III. MASSACHUSETTS SPY.


y the contribution Of the United Provinces,
has orc fhrcwd remark, which | have often
with angular pleafure applied to this coni-
muni,y. A people, Jays he, whole aequih
tons muR be flow and painful, are ever
anxious to have them well fecured BY Juit
and equal laws. And Montefquieu oblerves
tina, the nations who nhabit hard and cold
countries, have infinitely better chance to
preierye their freedom, than thofe who ieem
bIeiIcd with all the uxuriance of the haPpi-
eft climate. To thele natural advantages
fordy Join another important one, which
though it lcems to ariGe from the former, is
not 70 abfolstely dependant upon them as to
appear their necefary product that is, the
rri;gning taRs. This according to Montague
is the forceful engine which builds or over
throws all the empires of the world. In his
excellent Treatife of the Rife and Fall OF
ancient republics, he fays, Of all the hu,
man pzfiions, ambition may prove the mott
u(eful, or moft deltruCsve TO pepole.
She Dicito nrogarari ct dsnisr bic ct. | he
fondnels for admiration, and applauie, ieems
coeva with man and accompanies US from
the cradle to the grave. Every man pants
after difiinaion, and even in this world at
fee. kind of immortality, There is no
mark which 70 furely indicates the relgnng
manners ofa people at different periods, as
that quality or turn of mind, which happens
to be the rcigning object ofpublIck applaule,
for as the reiguing object ofpublick applaufe
will necenarily conRItute the leading isthion,
if the Object of applaufe be praile worthy,
the example of the great VII have due in
fluencc uponthe inferior clafcs.' dare az
firm the ARA is not to be found in hiitory
when 20 universal lenis of the true inteieit
and fccurity of the REFLECTIVE Rates in the
Britifh Empire, polleaed the bulk of the peo-
pie and the REFLECTIVE rights of Governors
and governed we're 70 thoroughly examined,
freely explained, and greedily peruied,a s in the
prelent. Hence, with the lalf, mentioned
author we may nationally conclude, that no
eHential mutation can be effected in this CO.
vernment, (unleis by the violence of cxter-
nal force while the manners Of the people
are 70 utterly unit for the change.
In the New England colonies the agrarian
law is 06inifiO constitutional the people aIe
at once lenible of perfonzi freedom, and TO-
cisl dependence. 10 this great metropolis
no individual can feel himfef ealy with the
dilaRe of the people. And let the hupld
tools of tyranny pirate what they will, there
is not part ofthe globe leis chargeable with
faction, which is really running into cabals
for the promotion Of fome private intcreh,
in cppolition to that of the publics. A com
potency in the hands Of great numbers gives
them leilu.e to inform themfelveS in hiitofy
and politics; and know my Lord Hilibo-
rough that your bones will be rotten, before
cny one can render horle-racrg and cock
fighting the PATTON Of the New. Englanders !
Another important encouragement crowns the
engaging profpeef, the evident contempt Of
riches and the temptations of riot and luxury.
The enemies of our liberty have piqued
themfeives on expoiing iome of our mott able
and aHiduous patriots, as men of no pro-
Periy,' never coniidering that fuch rigid Ro-
mans were the champions from whom they
had every thing to fear that might blaft their
expectations.
Men who can feat on roots, and command
the admiration of colony in thread-ba
.homeipun.. render poverty itfeif envied and
recommend life of honea independency be-
yond thoufand fumptuary ea;u.cs. Such
men have their favourite, their ruling paGi-
ons, as we'll as others; they have ambition,
entbuhafn and recruitment, with the hyperion
advantages Of indulging them all withthe ap-
Piaufe OF their country. One of thefe, ap-
plies himfelf 10 general hifory, and the poll