The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-09-08


Great Britain; which actually does enjoy IL
and perhaps feyeral other nations of Europe are
equally qualified. But IL is denied by many,
mot enlightened philosophers, indeed,) that any
nation rs now, or will ever be capable OF govern
ing itielf, permanently, by a representative de-
mocracy. tits invain to tell them that expert
ence, as upon other locations, is the fiireit teit
OF truth, and to point out to them, which, by
the bye, they cannot avoid feeling, unleiS wilful-
ly blind, our own happy Representative demo-
cracy, now /" in the full tide OF fuccefsful expe-
riment." They will anfwer as has been an
fwered three thouiand years ago, and, for aught
i know, will be aniwefed three thouiand years
hence by Professionalism fuch aitate of things
will not Taft aizvayJ. Now as the period for
verifying this prediction, like the milton of the
Jewiih Meiiiah is alzvays approaching but never
arrives, the argument mutt flop here !; for who
will attempt to diiprove prediction, which al
lows eternity for its accomplishment? Yet not
withdrawing this denial OF the pra6ticability &
permanence of representative democracies, /
fhall not reli the evidence at prefeDt before me,
! that actually reidc under fuch government.
After making theie diitinStions, j proceed to
obierve that the feventeen Rates of North Anne
rca, called the United States, enjoy the beh of
all governments, Il representative democracy
one or two in Europe, the next bef, limited
monarchy; and, that the reft of mankind,
! Nho HNS uidSE regular government, are
/ fubJected to the WORT of all-defpotiim.
1t ieems to be acknowledged by mott of thofe,
Whole opinions are entitled to any refpee, that
a representative democracy enfires greater
portion OF happineis to larger number of ndi-
viduals than the bcft contributed limited monar-
chy. But from the doubts which continue to
be entertained, fthe praGticability and perma-
nence of iuch governmentS-from the anarchy
incident to ancient republics, and the more re-
L ,rxEE.
| ing and intelligent men, the friends of human
happinefs, believe that a limited monarchy is the
belt fafeguard againf the miferies of defpotifm,
as well as the diiorders ofrepublicaniiin, which
! generally terminate in tyranny. This opinion,
however erroneous, is entertained by very re-
! fpectable portion of civilized fociety. A maio.
rty perhaps, counting numbers, are in favour
of representative democracy. Some few aban-
| doRed of God and man, with cool deliberate
vlllainy advocate the caufe of defpotifin.
Crowds follow through venality or timiditv.
| This clais, therefore, is numerous, but bafe.
1t is thus that parties ieem to be divided in eve
| ry civilized nation of the earth. At the COM
mencement OF the French revolution, it is be-
heved, that great majority of the thinking part
OF the nation were in favour of limited monar-
chy. The advocates of deipotifm were thofe
only who are Immediately intrufed in its CONT
nuance-the king the nobility, and the clergy.
Even many of thefe too, virtuous and great
men, joined either the mild monarchits, or the
rigid republicans. So that many mobiles and &C.
cleiialtics, as well as philosophers and faaious
zealots were in favor, from the beginning, of
eitabhthing representative democracy, on the
runs of the old monarchy. But, as juft menti-
oned, limited monarchy appears to have been
the with of the nation. 1t was therefore eta
6lihedby the continuing AGembly of 1889,
1874 and 1899. Happy had this been the Taft,
N A-.-l -.
Two caufes produced the deltru6tion of this
contribution, and the knocking fcenes ofvioIence
| anarchy and bloodihed which eniled. The in
hncenty and Hight Of the King aud the ipfult-
ing maniIettoes, and actual invafion Of France
! by the combined powers. 1t was evident that
Louis XVI would not be faithful 70 the conlti-
tuition, nor eXercifc the powers with which it
| bad inveted him, for the defence OF the nation.
Under the prenure of exiting circumstances it
therefore became necei1ary to depofe the king
and elect another, or, TO aboliih the Office and
al.er the contribution. Many enlightened friends
ofhberty were for the 6rt meafure: but their
adveriaries prevailed. This change was prema-
ture 1T was kind Of government for which
the French were evidently unfit. II is never po-
litic to eftabliih the hmpleft forms OF govern.
ment upon the ruins of the mott tyrannical
1t requires generation or two to clear away the
| rub5iih of prejudice and vicious habits. Some
i'SiuIS COllIlt is DclC IOI, DIS u is OOltrVed by
an elegant hiftorian, " among the many ills o.
originating from, or inherent in navcry, it rem
ders lis victims long unfit for the enjoyment
OF The very blefings they have painted after"
This tate of things therefore could not be per-
manent. Accordingly government was orga-
nlzed by the convention, upon the more COM
pick principle of checks and balances, with a
Idplendid and energetic executive. But the new
born French citizen had not as yet arrived to a
fufhcicnt maturity Of age, and liability of prin-
cple, to walk without the leading ftrings and
corrective arm of much ftronger authority than
was conferred upon, or impoied by the execu-
tive directory, and the two councils of ancients
and of five hundred. The government was e.
minently defective and loft all the conquefs
achieved by the unexampled enthuliafm, which
the national convention, and their committees
OF public fafety, infufed into the republican fol-
diery. Perhaps this is no weak argument in IA
vor of a numerous executive, in oppoEtion to
the received opinion, that TO enlure fecrecy and
diipatch, it is neceGary that the executive, ef-
pecially in times ofwarfare, fhould he compof
ed Of Jingle individual or, At Leaf a!:s!I Nun
Der. Diilentions and factions in the cabinet aud
councils, and bribery and corruption among the
miniiters and &C. slSpyoduced repeated difaf-
i|ll I, E, e: s. !; :