Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-06-18
BOSTON, June $.

Agreeable to assignment the senator.
and representatives, assembled together in
the House-when his excellency the Ga.
vernon came In and delivered the folIow.
ing
SPEECH:
Gent'emenof the Senete7nd
Gentlemen Of the House ef RtaressaQ.
trees.
The obligation which we have taken
upon ourselves, TO perform the public du.
ties incumbent on US agreeabIy to the rules
and regulations of the constitution, requires
US to protect cur fellow citizens in the en-.
joyment ofrheir lives, liberty, and property
land demands Of us an exact observance
Of the principles of the constitution and
a constant adherence to those Of pietv, ius-
tice, moderation, temperance, industry, &
frugality, in the formation and execution
OF the laws necessary for the good admins.
tration Of the commonwealth.
An impartial distribution of justice to all
people, is ofthe highest importance to pre-.
serve an equality among them and ena-
bles them to enjoy that liberty which under
the protection FLAW secures their lives &
property; and to unite them more closely
together, and attach them more firmly to
the state.
A people enjoy the most perfect civil IL
berty when the government uRder which
they are placed, is of their own choice;
when they conform to the laws when are
enacted by themselves, or their representa-
tives--and when no duties are enicined,
and no restrictions imposed by those laws,
which are not conducive to the general
happiness.
It's obvious then that nothing can be
more opposite to iibety, than licentiousnes'
Wherever there is Ii berry the people are
subjects; not of men but the constitution
and laws; for liberty consists in doing only
what these permit. Itforbids US TO a ow
ourselves in any pursuits which are ln]url-
Gus to others, for if such permission were
givento US, it would also be inaulged to
them. 1t implies that within the limits
Of law and justice we may act according to
our own choice, and take such measures as
we believe are conducive to our own hap
piness. The people are free SO long as
they are under the restraint of equal and
Just laws. But their freedom is lost when
the passions Of men are unresuained, and
laws are violated with impunity. he
reign cfiustice is then over; and there is an
end of manners, liberty and virtue; to
escape from this state OF Righteousness, the
people in some countries submit to the
controul of single tyrant, because they
think it more tolerahle to have one tyrane
than a thousand. In a free state therefore
the citizens ought tobe guarded against the
attempts both of indiscreet men, who from
mistaken zeal for liberty, would introduce
anarchy and confusion and of ambitious
men, who assuming the garb OF PATRIOTISM
and employ their talents to inaame the pas.
slons ofthe people and excite their contempt
Of decency and order. !,
Upon order public happiness IS founded
without it society is in state OF violence
and to nlainrainit is to restrain injustice,
and oppression to guard the lite ana
property Of one man against ouIfaSI,
from another; to protect the simple am,
innocent from the attempts OF artlhce anu
! fraud and to produce such state OF tf'''