Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-08-01
THE ADDRESS.
" Ae Legislature Boty Of France, TO The


and at this important epoch they canno,
feel indifferent 10 the nstional VIII go iond
ly and generally expressed. Scattered
over the various departments of this great
empire, they know It's wants and habits.
They know that the energy and acton, of
the power which governs, Should b.. com.
mensurate with the extent of e,ritory and
population. When dis relation, establish
ed by nature, is neglected. by the legislator,
his work must perish.
The chief blessing IF nan is tranquility
and peace and these dep-nd on perma
nent institutions. Inc sup.em power
which guarantees them, ought, therefore.
TO be secure from the cdjircc OF electton..
Every elective government is inconstant,
violent and helpless as the passions of
men; whilst hereditary power gives 10 the
social system, the force, the continuance,
endconstancy OF the designs ofnaure. An
uninterrupted succession Of authority. in
The same family viii MAINTAIN the peace
end existence of all. Ii is necessary for
the pernetual security oftheir rights, that
the authority which projects them should
be eternal. The people, who unite the
most capricious levity with the mos emf
nent qualities, must supremacy prefer sys.
TEN, which confirms their virtues, by re-
pressing their inconstanCy.
History. every where, discovers at the
head ofgreat nations, single hereditary
chief. But this high Magistracv is not
instituted but fnr general good. If it ir
weak, it falls, and if violent il DESTROYS it.
self; and in either case il merits its fate,
for it Expresses the people, or fills 10 pro
tect them In word, this ava horny which
ought TO he tutelar, ceases to be lawful.
when IT is ne national.
No doubtless, these mighty beings
were not Gods, whom general inter. st
has deied, and associated brilliant and in
accessible sHhsrcs, ut law proclaimed
from such high az hority, might have
more sp'endor, control a0d Influence But
it the grandeur Of monarchy - noe fond
edOn thc exravagant fiction which de:ude
the multitude, it Is supported by ali those
political maxims which The lessons of ad
Versity, and the voice of sages, have es,ab.
li5hcd.
Ancient Illusions have ceased but do
we need man Of our choice? Scarcely
has he numbered thirty.four years, anA
the events Of his life are more wonderful
than The fables, with which history has
surrounded the cradles of ancient dynas-
ties.
The triumph and viii nf the nation can.
not be resVted. Such extraordinary chan.
ges are not new-lt is al the noise and tn.
1nut OF thrones which fall, which arise,
and should fall again. the successive ages
ha r.
affairs. Old empires are regenerated at
sUch important eras, and the chief Of new
monarchy communicates to hem the c.
nergY ofhiA spirit, and the vigoI Of his en-.
terprizs.
We doubt not, a career of prosperity
and glory again opens for orr posterity.
The 10Th century, at its commencement,
presents TO the universe a mos, nagnif.
cent spectacle and instructive les,on. 1t
cO1secrates the principle Of hereditary
power, and opinion for the happiness Of
France; whose revolution il terminates,
and for the example of Europe, whose er.
Tors il prevents.
The human mind,troubled with the worst
OF diseases, the diseases olhcrfscfion, has
wished to create new race of men TO
form new societies and another world
But soon frightened at It's work and wsa
IIcd with its efforts, it has returned to the
track Of experience aud submits TO the au
tho-ity ofages. II is al the movement, il
recognizes its limits, the human mind is
truly enlarged--It is al the moment that
it learns to check IT'S weakness, that il lust
ly directs the exercise Of its power rhe
remembrance Of its past deviatious will az
ford useful foresight; and The fear Of
falling into its first excesses will not hurry
it 10 the contrary extreme.
We shall not witness the daily stupor
OF slavery succeeding the mad tumut Of
democracy. No, Citizen FIRST Consul, YOU
would not command but free people we
know il; and will therefore obey YOU al
ways. The departments Of government
will be balanced with wisdom; they will!
preserve every thing that will support, no.
thing that can destroy liberty. The I'm.
perial government will confirm all The
blessings Of tue Consulate and willincressc
thsm' The security Of hereditary Power
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