The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-10-27

II Is truc that, anfcC6uent TO the 18TH bru-
marie, The Rate was falling into difIoiution, and
that abfolute power dragged it fromthe borders
OF the abyfs: but what are we to infer from
that! What all the world knows; that politi-
cal bodies are fubjeet to maladies which can be
cured but by violent means that momentary
dictatorship is fometimes requilite to fave liber-
ty. The Romans, who were 70 jealous of it,
were however fen6ble of the necefIity of that
fupreme power at intervals. But, bccaufe vi
client remedy has faved 6ck perfon, are we to
admniter to him every day violent remedy?
Fabius, Cincinnatus, Camillus, have each fuc-
ceffively faved the Roman liberty by abfolute
power; hut it was by ftrippne tbemfclves ut
that power as foon as they could; by retenti-
on of the power they would have deitroyed IL
berty. CIfar was the firt VINO wanted TO re-
tan it and he fell victim to it but liberty was
auuibilated for ever. Thus all that has been
f,id to this day upon abiolute power, proves
oniythe neceinty of a momentary dictatorlhip
in the critis of Rate, but not of permanent
and iTnmoveable power.
Il is not by the nature Of the government that the
great republics AL in liability is becaufe they
unprovded for teinpeas il is invariably the cxalta
ton that preides at their Establishment. There is
hu. one that cIetfci the work of organized phofo-
ply during the cal and that republic tubiiits full of
,yitdom and vrour Tbs phenomenon ia 2cyef tie
U.;.si states of ar. rice, sv5g p,yolty GaiIy
cra5 r.rei toe zvorfo eouvaee tie old fbnt ,-r
81. esie.a6iy aba under tie r:y~e IF K5erty and
Sa!!y. Yes, dare to lay down the principle that,
sr!ulA we can eitabh order of things, without
an fear from the influence of factions, as the frt
eonul was able DO, etpeciay after thu peace A.
rlier, and he fill do it ies difficult from
a republic without anarchy than to erea monarchy
without defpotifm. For how can conceive limi-
.ation without iluion, IN government OF which the
chief has all the executive powers in his hands, and all
she place. and Offices to beGow? They have fpoken
Of inAittions which laid be proper to produce
that effect bur before the re-eablhment Of
chy was propofed, ihoud not have been previouf-
" affured, and have fhown to thofe who have to
vote upon the queaion, that fuci nfitutions in
the order of pofibles that they Of thoe
tlrhyEcical abfraaions which are inceIently APP
preaching the contrary fyftem Hitherto nothing
has been invented to temper the hpreme power
BIZ, what are called the intermediate or privledged
bodies. Is it then nobility that they
when they fpeai of nttutons but is the remedy
vorfe than the evil for the abfolute power deprves
us but of liberty, Whit the ntitution of prvedged
orders takes away both liberty and equality; and f at
fra the great digntes only perional it is well
known that they always nifh the grand fefs for
rlerly, by becoming hereditary.
To thefe general principles, will add fome parti-
cular obfervations. Let furpofe that all French
men will give their afient TO the meafure propoed :;
would it be proof OF their free Wilt What reialts
from the regifcrs where each is compelled to Egn lis
name bis inliV;tnai vote Who is the that is
no, convinced of the influence of the presding authori-
sy in fuch cafes From all parts of France they fay
eurit forth the dere for the reetabhmcnt of here
ditary monarchy; but not authorized
yard IS fabrication opinion hitherto aimoff exclu-
Gvely concentered among the public funoionaries
when we know the inconvenencies be encountered
by manifessing contrary opinion when know
that the E6-rty IF TIE Pr Is anabatedt Jeb d-rce
~. l.
complaint tie mgf ro[pet2ta Gsd nroa.yat-p
Indeed there ihould he necefity for balancing
.ne choice of an hereditary Chief it necefiary to
have one. It would be aburd TO draw parallel be-
tween the Fir Conial and the Pretenders of fani-
ly iuitly defped, and Whole vindtve and fan,uina-
ry difposo-,s are but too well known. The recall of
the honis of Bourbon would be renewing the fightful
isenes Of the revolution. and procrirtion would in
Elibly extend tfeH both the property and perlons
of the grea eft part of the citizens. But the excuion
of that dynahy does not render new dynaay necef-
AIRY. May we then hope that creating new dynaity
would haifen the happy epoch of general peace
Would not that rather be new obftacle to it Are
we alfred that the other great powers of Europe
viii adhere to this title And if they do adj
here, take up arms to force them TO it Or
after having reduced rhe title OF Coniu below that of
an Emperor, will the Corfu content himfef with
that title for the fake of foreign powers whih he is
Emperor only of the French And fhall we for
vain title expofe the fecuri,y and PROPERTY of the
whole nation
1t teems therefore, to be infinitely doubtful whe-
ther the new order Of things offer more liability
san TIM preent hate. There is for government but
Que means TO coniodate itief it is be jut that
with them favour does no. exceed the fervces render
ed; that there may be guarantee againit depreda-
len & impoGtions. Far be from any particular
applications any critiqne on thecondut of govern
meut; it is againa arbitrary power itielf I am
speaking and not againt thofc in whole hands that
power may relide.
Was then liberty fhown TO man merely to con-
vince him that ne can never enjoy it Was it meet
family offered to his view as a fruit to which he cam
not ffretch out his hand without being truck with
death Fhus who gives that liberty as pref
fng want, hould have intended to as itep-
mother No, will not content regard as Gnl-
PIE Hutton this beneaiop 70 universally preferred to
all Others and without which all others are nothing
My heart tells me that liberty is polibie, that the
regime of it is eafy and fable than any arbitra-
ry government; any oGgarchy.
Nevertheless, repeat it, always ready 70 IA
crfce nv 6eareh affections - the interefts of my
country, / nall content myfclf with having once
more made rebound the accents Of free mind
and my refpe6t for the law viii be the more fe-
cured, rs it is the fruit ofloug misfortunes, and
for that reafon which TO day imperiouny COM
mandS US to unite in our body againt the i'm
plicabe enemy Of us all Of that. enemy who is
is alwas ready to forent among us difcords, and
IN whom all ip,-ifiu,tc. r,,r,yited he