The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-06-20
SPEECH,
Gentlemen oftbe Senate ard

- L l. T. L II:
Gentlemen oftbe Senate ard
Gentlemen oftbe Hoyje Of Rep,e/entatipes,
The obligation which we have taken upon
ourfelves, to perform the public duties incum-
bent on US agreeably to the rules and regulate
ons the Contribution, requires us, to protect
our fellow citizens in the enjoyment of their
lives, liberty and property; and demands of lis
~ exact obtervance OF the principles of the Con-
ititutlon, and confant adherence to thofe of
piety, juitice, moderation, temperance, induitry
and trugality, in the formation and execution
of the Laws neceiIary for the good adminiitra
ton ofthe Commonwealth.
An impartial dftribution of iuftce to all the
PeobIe, is Of the higheft importance to preferve
an equality among them and enable them to
| ENJOY that liberty, which under the protection
OF law iecures their lives and property : and to
unite them more cofely together, and attach
them more firmly to the State.
"A people enjoy the mott perfect civil liberty
wren the government, under which they are
placed, is of their own choice; when they con-
form to laws which are enacted by themfi hes
or their Representatives, ard when no duties
are enioined, and no refriefions impofed by
thofe laws, which are not conducive to the ge-
neral happinefs-
! 1t is obvious then, that nothing is more oppo-
lite to liberty, than Observation-Disclosures
there is liberty, the people are fubie6ts, not of
men but of the Contribution and Laws for Ii
berty coniifts in doing only what thefe permit.
II forbids us to allow ourfelves in any purluits
which are injurious to Others, for if fuch permit
hon was given to US. that within the limits Of
law and juftice we may act according to our
own choice, and take fuch meafiIres, as we be-
lieVe are conducive to our own Happiness. The
people therefore are free, 10 long as they are m
DER the reftraint of equal and iuft laws: But
their freedom is loft, when the pafIions of men
are unreftrained, and the laws are violated with
inPunlty. The reign of juftice is then over, and
enere is an end OF manners, liberty, and virtue.
o efcaPe from this fate of licentioufnefs, the
people in fome countries, fubmit to the contro,.l
OF iinSle tyrant, becaufe they think it more
toleraoie to have one tyrant than thoufapd.
III Hee otate, therefore, the citizens ought to
be guarded againft the attempts both of indiC.
Greet men, who, from miftaken zeal for liberty
would introduce anarchy and confufion: and OF
ambitious men, who alIume the garb of patri
otilm, and employ their talents to inflarne the
Paiilons OF the people, and excite their contempt
OF decency and order.
upon order, the public happiness is founded
without 1t, fociety is fate OF violence: and to
MAINTAIN 1t, is to refrain iniultice and oppref.
non to guard the life and property of one man
s8ainit outrage from another; to protect the
nrnple and innocent from the attempts OF arti-
nee ana fraud, and to produce fuch fate of
tranquility, that the mott defence.efs among the
people may be fate, under the protection of 90 |
vernment. o. |
q. Inc principle of equality among the citizens, |
10 recognized and eftabliihed by the Confituti |
on. 1t is an equality of rights which enfiIres
inc lame protection to each Individual, and re-
CURES that all men of every defcription ihaIl be
to juftice. 1t reiuts from equal 90
vernment and impartial laws, when the wayto
honour and Prefcrment is open to every one
ana the Pretentions Of no citizen are limited e,-
cept by the dittinction of merit and capacity.
put d" equality OF property never can exit, UNI
I'll all men have the fame faculties, and are e.
quail IN prudence ard induftry and even ifthev
were perfectly milar in thefe refpcs, fill their
properly would be unequal, uDefs Providence
'houlu imile alike upon the labours of all, and
grant 10 every man an equal flare of profper,-
W ne inequality OF property therefore aIifes
rom the nature of things and not from any de-
ect IN the form or administration of government.
all that the bStt government can do, is to pre-
'ent that inequality which fraud, oppreliion or
'ioiebce would produce TO encourage fruga-
n.y. and as far "a juitice and the Coniti. ution
WI, permit to refrain luxury and profufon
'lu 10 protect the lawful poileflions of every
nan, 70 that each may enjoy the fruits of his Ia.
pour In perfect fecurity.
But though fpirit of equality is favourable
o public happineis, an extreme degree oft is s
omctimes injurious and diGraceful. This hap {
'Gns' when manners arc exceedingly depraved. (
vAen upright magiftrates arc no longer refpect. :
q, and parents aud public initructors gre tre,t-
q with rudencfS and Influence, when the cL;ld
ehaVss proudly againli the ancient, and the b,G,I
galnr the honourdble, and the natural ard ne
eaary dIlllnetions in fociety are degraded.
ne terms L1BERTY AND EQUALITY. in
herr true and juf import defcribe eGential
lights in Republic, which ought to be aiIidu-
my Preicryed and cherihed; but they are 70
able TO miisonfruaion, and have been undsr,
GOD IN f'ch different fentes, that prefume Won.
Gentlemen, will not think it unworthy of Won
aiiit our feliow-citizens in forming corrcff a.
iuIons concerning them. For If ON tbefe pointsl
hey ihouid entertain mitaken ideas, they NIGH
{ IN osueer OF ioo6ng iubRantial bcnsfts, by
Im!ns at thoie which are inaginary. 6