The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-07-21

TeipSCtaoiiity abroad Il CONVICTION IN the pub
/ lie mind that the confederation contained fome
radical and incurabie defects, dictated the ne
cellity of adopting more energetic plan. As
foou as the enemy was vanq,iiheu'ard peace ei-
tabhihed, our fellow citizens took this interct-
ing fubleGt into ferrous confederation. The
Legislatures of the teveral fatcs appointed dele
gates for the purpole of deviiing amendments to
the exiting contribution. convention WIGS
formed ofmen renowned cor patriotiiin, .isa@ii-
zed by their fervices ard ditinguihed by their
talents much time was fpeI.t in coniuitat;on
and deiiheration the hero OF liberty preiGed
over .hcir councils. At that intereGing period
the American people held cut a glorious exam
pie 20 nations they were then engaged rs has
been taid of the firt National Convention Of
France -" In forming government Of art, the
work OF intellect reared on the inimutabc bais
OF national right and general happiness, which
fhcnld combine the cXcel!encies and exclude
g the detects of the various forms which chance
had icattcr>d over the worlc-It was high
g time that the human powers 10 long occupied
by subordinate objects and inferior arts, ihould
50 mark the commencement Of new aera in hif-
tory, by giTing birth TO the art OF improving
"government and increaiug the civil haprinefs
"oi man. 1t was time that legislators, infead of
that narrow and Gaitardly coating which ne
ever lcies fight OF uiage and precedent, ihoud,
guided BY the polarity of reafon, hazard boil
uSi NAVIGATION, ana iSSA IN uneHplorSc regions
"the treaiure of public felicity"
1t was time to reject every thing which was
only venerable for its antiquity, and that reafon
and philofophy fould triumph over prejudice
and habit. The federal contribution was form
ed, 1t was recommended to the itates, it under
went the mof fevere and critical examination
the mott tpendid talents were eXerteCi 10 prevent
Its adoption; every artiiice was uted which could
be iuggeited by the apprehenfions of danger to
our liberties The tochn or alarm was founded;
the people were warned of the dangers of inno-
walton; but this contribution was adopted it
reits on the rights of man it recognizes neither
Kings, mobiles, nor privileged orders; but was
formed by the enlightened citizens of Repub-
lie, and is now administered by their delegates.
1 his new plan of approximation and refponfb-
llty is admirably calculated to enfIre virtue and
talents III the administration under an hered-
tary ~ ftem of government, there are too few in
elements to the exertion of talents, there
are too few rewards for integrity and viz
tue. Virtue aud talents are not the uualiicati
ons which are beit adapted TO the intrigues and
Vaccinations OF princes; an cafe ard fleyib-
~ OF character is much more agreeable to them,
than that Hubborn integrity which never can
be ieduced from its allegiance to the people -
But under an elective fyftem, the people will &C.
nerdliy 1elect thoie who are the mott confpicu-
Gus Tor talents, the mott tried for their integrity
and the mott reipetted for their virtues. This
plan opens an eXteniive field fer the difplav of
genius and the exertion of intellect. Here are
the ample rewards ofvirtue every citizen in the
republic, however mean his birth, if he be honeh
and capable, IS eligible to the firtt itatons: no
enquiry is made into the antiquity of his parch-
n1ents, no credit is given him for the virtues of
his anceGors.
The acquihtion of Louifana may iuftly be reA
garded as the greateG political event which has
Rh IN hin Il
Federal Contribution. Whit the Mfinippi
conitituted the wefern boundary of the United
states, and the fertile and extenive country
whlch we have recently acquired by treaty, was
IN the poiieiiion of a rival nation, the commerce
OF the mott extcnhve and growing part of the
union was frequently eXpCfed to vexatious inter
ruptlons. The foemnity of national compa0s
i formed no fecurty to freedom of navigation, for
woeiu experience has demonstrated that the
mott foiemn treaties are but little reverenced in
the cabinets of princes. The acquifition OF this
country fscureS us againf the intrigues and anti
noes OF foreign emlfaries, protects our weftern
brethren IN great degree from the incurfons
and ravageS of the Indian tribes, guarantees the
freedom OF their commerce, and gives them a
iafe and commodious outlet to market for the
iurpluS products of their ind Iftry, renders our
union more firm and indiIoluble, opens new
fources of employment for the genius and enter
wealth and PROPERTY. Had not the United
State acquired a complete juriidetion ovsr ibis
eXteniive country, at the very iuneure that
they did, and the plan of ccionizing Loufana
had been carried into effect by France, the con-
iequences would have been fatal to our peace,
tranquility, and the exiaence of the union itfef;
the Weitern States would have been expofed to
commercial reftrictions and exactions, and might
have conceived that cccefiion from the union
would have been a fource of PROPERTY and adj
vantage. Jealoufes and antipathies would have
been excited, and the fpirit of difcontent and
animoiity would eagerly have been cheriihed by
the nations of Europe, who view with an invi-
dious eye our increalng wealth, population, &
commerce. Different members of this fourth
ing and happy republic would have been array
cd agdnit each other as rivals, and enemies.
The bloody banner Of war would have been un-
turled, and we fhould have been coDvulied by
internal conmotion-the union of the ftates
would evidently have been dinolved, and the
preient contribution, the anchor of our hopes,
the rock of our political favation would have
been fubyerted and dehroyed But harp.!y ecr
the people Of America, ali thefe calamities have
been averted by the acquiGtion of Louiiana, and
: we may yet indulge the infatuating hope Of
ieeing the refinement and happinels of golden
! age realized in the United States. When it is