Jenks's Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland [Me.]) 1799-1802, 1800-08-04

BURLEIGH.-Wo. II.

and in conjunction with his party, das been
Readily plotting its detru6tion.
10 fupport this propohtfon, fhall refort to
various iources for evidence aud argument.
!. Mr.. Jeferion's writings furniih arong
proof, that he dilikes al government which IS
capable of afording protection and fecnrity to
Nihofs who live under it. About IL or Is years
ago Mr. Jsfftrfon publifhed his " Notes on
EVrsiaa" The edition which have was pub
KhAed in London, 10 1857 AT that period it
SIS fsfhonable, Especially in this country, 10
fseorizs about government. Elevated with the
Success of our ltruggle for independence, we are
ia our own opinions, very wife. AL the ideas
which ~ere derived from Experience. were
Shoo.si at, and every chamber politician was
ABLE t. plan, and ered fyaems OF government,
.competent for all the exigencies Of large and
I rncreaihg nation. That Mr.. Jefferfon ranks
high IN this clafs Of government makers, is now
seenersliy acknowledged. In addition 70 bis
native ftock of viiionary nonlenfe, he had imbi
bed in his European Witt, large fupplies from
tbs French schoo which was then plotting the
overthrow Of their own government and tighting'
me torches Of that dreadful FIRE, which has laid
waite nearly half the civilized globe. "A few
exprefions from this book of Mr.. IsfFerGon, will
4 thew what his ideas on this fubleS were. Wri
ting on the ljlbiea Of uuiveifal federation, and
attempting to prove that one kind Of religion Is
as good as another, Mr.. Jeferlon fays--. The
4 kgiilwGts pover5 Of government extend to fuch
acts only as are injurious to othsrs. But it does
me no iniury for my neighbour to fay there are
szeztg G0Gs, or no Gcdf. Il neither picks nv
pocket nor breaks my Legs BY this paGage,
8 we a c plainly taught this leGon--Tbat morals
= are no objef for the attention., or care Of gov
eminent thar all we have 10 trouble ourfelves
u about. Is. the condua Of the individuals Of the
commu0ity-a leaon which is Taught with all
The miEchiefs which are now exhibiting, and
& which for years have been przdifed by the sbet-
tors Of the French Revolution. The doStriue
& Is thi--,hat If a man BELIEVES 10 the redirude of
narjer, aEhefn1, rape, adultry, &c. it Is Of no
importance, beeauie il neitfsr breaks our legs
rot picks our pockets and as long as oar peck
cts and legs are iafe, government is fa,isfied.
i Let us picture 70 ourfelvec community, com
poied Of fuch individuals for, lis improper
10 controai, or refrain one man, in the free ex-
ercfe Of bis opinic2s, it equally improper to
cantroul or ret am any number or men.
& I'VE will then view nation, Whole laws fuHer
& The free propagation offentiments like theft
Z vlz--That il IS juf to commit nus der, violate
female chafiry, deny thu eNltence Of God, &c.
according TO Mr. JeEerfln's ideas Of leeiti-
mate government, this is jnt and ought % be
tolerated, and no notice can be taken Of it, until
men actually do commit murder, rape, &c.
But If tits proper to preach thele doctrines,
d why is it not TO praaie them: 1t certainly is !;
unleIs it's proper 10 introduce afyfern Of lying
into community. -
However; il is fair 20 acknowledge, that Mr..
TsHerfon implies in his rezfbning, tl1as tho The
i faauments do not real mitchell, yer the pradife
4 viii not neceGarilY follow the preeept. Accor-
Il ding &c the doctrine, men have an uncontroula-
s BE right to believe, and to inculcate what NOR
a! OF religious fsntiments they pleaie; provided
8 rhsy donor praetile them. VIII not men gen.
{ orally praetife what they believe, provided they
are feeure from legal puniihment Mr.. Jefter-
fon's murderers, atheilts, sc. have nothing fur-
ther to do, then, than TO ipread their doctrines
Il until majority Of the community fhall become
81 proislyies 10 he faith, and then the laws agant
The pTaetice Of uaur der, rape, robbery, &C. will
be repealed, and the whoieforne practice intro.
/ duced in its fullea latitude
& Itrua am addyelling Ihofs who, generally,
Il n:l bclieve in the exiaence ofa God Of truth
i and inaice; the niomentous truths Of religion,
Il aud the hopes and. fears of a future life; who
are not vet prepared 10 part with their bible,
the;r rnorais or their Cod Iffo letthern leri.
caly corhaer the extent of the ientiment Of
Nj. Iefcrfon which ! am con6dering. i have
but iua touched upon it; rhe rea mutt be left
Tor the more FIBER rehs6tion of thole who are
intereaed II the fare Of their ceuatTy. Mr.
JeHenoa fcts up claim to be oIT leader, our
head, 70 al tie feat which once ooaeds1ed q
y Wilmington. have brought this partioulal
fentinlsntint view, as containing the feeds Of
+ Ihofe OPINIONS. which have tinee lpTrag up IT
VI the life and writings Of Mr.. Jsferion, taking i
81 fsg granted thar he, like all other men, will en-
xeavour as far as poifible, TO introduce intc
& pradice. his favorite ien0ments. His fen6ment
80 H.. ! nan hos al . ncnntrOnlahle rinhr Il