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

& OF GONSl hihSHt'
Tae principle ofequality among the cit
SENS. is recognized and established by the
institution. tits an equality ofrights which
.n.nres the same protection to each indi-
,;dual, and requires that all men OF every
a,.crintion shall be amenabie to justice.
rtresults from equal governments .impar-
t;al laws, when the way to honor and pre-
fsrmens is open to every one and the pre-
tsnt;ons of no citizen are limited, except
J., the distinction of merit and capacity.
Bnt an equality of property never can exist
Until all men have the same faculties, and
ore eoua! in prudence and industry /; and e.
ven f they were perfectly similar IN these
respects, still their property would oe une-
.nslnnless providence should smile alike
mon the labors of all, and grant to every
nan IN equals share of prosperity. Inc IN
EQUALITY OF property therefore arises from
~. nature of things, and not from any de-
f.ctin the form or administration OF CO.
.yernment. All that the best government
can do, is to prevent that inequality which
frand. oppression or violence would pro-
duce. TO encourage frugalitya as tar as
Justice, and the constitution winptrmlt, to
restrain luxury and profusion and topro-
tect the lawful possessions OF every man, SO
that each may enjoy the fruits OF his labor
in perfect security.
But thougAa spirit of equality is ia
yorable to pabllc happiness, an extreme
degree of is some times injurious, and
disgraceful. This happens when manners
are exceedingly depraved,when upright ma
iiistrates are no longer respected, aad pa
rents and public instructors are treated
with rudeness and insolence, when the
child behaves proudly against the ancient,
and the base against the honorable, and
the natural and necessary distinctions IN
society are disregarded.
The terms liberty and equality. IN their
true and just import describe essential
rights in a republic, which ought to be as
siduouslv preserved and cherished; but
they are so liable to misconstruction s. have
been understood in such different senses
that presume you, gentlemen, will not
think it unworthy you, to assist our fellow
citizens in forming correct opinions con-
corning them. For if on these points they
should entertain mistaken ideas, hey might
be in danger of loosing substantial bene-
FITS, by aiming at those which are lmagln-
AIRY.
In some nations the genius and habits
Of the people Seem not TO admit OF tree
eovernmeut-they appear to be incapable
Of that Just and reasonable obedience to the
laws which is necessary In free state.
Few indeed have been wise enough to en-
ioy perfect liberty with moderation. How
Far the people ofthe United States are pos
s.ssed this wisdom must appear from the
experiment, they are now making, upon
the issue of which, every thing valuable to
us depends. You, gentlemen, have no
doubt, Will be sohcitous to contribute to its
success, by a faithful discharge OF your du-
". But all the efforts OF legislative Wis
dom will not be sufficient, without the AID
ofthose institutions, which form the man
hers and morals of the peoples and which
tend to inspire them with veneration Tor the
Supreme Being, with reverence tor just
authority, and respect for themselves.
i Inthe course of this year there viii be an
election of President and sice President OF
the United States, and it will be incum-
bent upon the legislature at the present
session, to direct the manner in wsiich cleo
tors on the part of this state shall be APP
4 pointed. But gentlemen it's unnecessary to
mention the particular subjects which now
require your notice. They will occur to
your reflection, and an persuaded that
/ You Will attend TO them with the fidelity
and zeal, which an enlightened love of
your country inspires. For myself, shall
be solicitous to deserve the confidence,
with which the people have repeatediy no.