Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1803-08-08
THE GOVERNMENT sor THE uElI1p,
STATES NOT a DEMOCRACY.
NJ 1

1T FCduC{S VI lfiS 1lGiss ~ "sS. = -
to recolleet, that on the s9tn
of June, We adeerted TO publication Y
the Aurora ofthe 18th uitimo, IN which =
was asserted that " the Constitutions OF
the United States are complete and per-
feGt Democracies y which opinion we
en9eavoured, even in OPPOSITION TO Mr.. ID
ane, to disprove. On July !, we began
to publish, in a letter from a correspondent
some opinions in support Of our former as
ser.ions, on the essential qualities OF a de-
mocracy. To that letter we beg the rea-
der to refer; and we hope that, against
MIR. DIS arguments, drawn from WalSsr's
Critieal Proaoxuemg Diaonay, from the
Barou Montts9atea, and fyom BIS 0Foa
zoare boase Of avisdom, he will ind such
authorities as viii convince hin, that, for
once, the Aurora and those who hold the
same doctrines respecting our governments,
must, at least be mistaken.
Thoughts on the essential qualities of de-
mocraey; recommended to the serious
consideration of the sober and thlRking
part of the community.
For The Aati- Democrat.
The deepest thinker Of all antiquity,
after examining and comparing the theory
and practice of upwards of two hundred
commonwealth, the justly celebrated A.
riistotle, whom the great Locke acknow
lodged a mater il politics" speaking Of
the different kinds Of government, observes
Of the republic, that it is /" prone to dege-
ueyate into demoeraey."x Doctor Frank
In, our counuyman, who was certainly
read il human nature, held on this point
the same opinion as the Stagirite.-Being
asked by lady Of Philadelp bia remarka-
bic for wit and good sense, on the DISCO
luton of the convention which framed the
constitution. Well doctor what have
we got :" C A republic, MADAM, # you
can keep it," And why not keep II"
reioined the Lady. Because" replied
the Doctor, 6 the people on tasting tbs
dish, are always disposed to eat more OF
it than does them good"
Sixteen years have not elapsed since this
prophetic answer of the Doctor, and what
do we behold! Men openly and volunta-
rily assuming the name of Drmoeraf, and
loudly proclairning "fbe constitution Of
The United States is,a Democracy, fbe Asrs,
,iean goveyumeafs are IN evey rfsfekf
completely and ps,fxaJ Demoeraeies, "
and those who will not 50 consider them.
6 fools, dssbiea5le kaGves, or impos.e,s."
Such is tie dogma and language OF the
Aurora.t That II is in the contemplate
on of some men TO convert our constitute
ons, into dcnocracies, may be fairly assum-
ed that progress has already been made
in this work, certain recent acts too PLAIN
" indicate that it is meant to be perse-
vered in, can scarcely be doubted.
6 In order to introduce this form of
pollty, demagogues think they can never
TOO much strengthen the popular party
children descended from the intermarrla,
ges of citizens and strangers, all sorts OF
materials, however impure, are considered
as proper aliment for such a government.
Above all, demagogues must never cease
to convince the people, that under their
favorite democracy, they will be at liberty
to live as they list. This will procure for
them the assistance Of the majority; for
the greater part of mankind will always be
better pleased to live licentlously, than tc
submit to the restraints of salutary dlsci-
pllne.'f
Do you perceive any resemblance III
this account of the PRACTICES OF 9ema-
gogues in remote ages, and which in A.
lbens, according to Xeuophou, I" placed
the bad citizens in better situation than
the good" to what is IN practice in the
United States ? Ought we to fatter our
selves, that practices which have been at