Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1805-08-09

of MonafchleS. IL - tne Spirits WnlCn
constitutes the cheap defence Of nations.
Il does not reject all overtures Of peace !;
il Requires nothing but justice, and itse.
cures that, by-being alwaysready to a.
yenge injustice. II Is not q quarrelsome
spirit, which seeks opportunities ofwar |;
but il keeps in awe, such . spirit in o.
Their nations. Il inspires confidence at
home, and respect abroad. II has no
partialities, noprejudiees; but is always
erect, always digni6ed, -Itis this spi-
rit, so delicate yet so hrm in its nature,
which wins victories without combat
il is giant always in armour, whom no
threats can terribly, noforee subdue. But
| il national honour is made the slave Of,
national wealth ; and put into the livery
| Of this basest and meanest of masters, il
win always be known and treated as a
slave. There 10 an economy, which
makes q nation contemplate, without
making It rich. The moment il stops to
reckon on the expense Of. sindicating its
honour, which is always its true interest,
II ceases 10 be free. L afterwards lives
upon saHerance and takes a. favor what
il ought TO demand as right. III
The practice Of turning men from of
tice, for difference Of opinion, is hostile
to any form Of free government. To
create vacancies for the purpose ofilling
them with partisans is, to say the least,
an abuse of power; and to reduce men
to poverty, who are chargeable with no
neglect or crime is n violation of the.
common sense Of justice. To remove
men from Office distinguished by their
virtues, and their services, tends to OBJ
literste from the public mind, all sense
of respect and gratitude TO Gil their
places with men, who have little but
their political faith to recommend them.
tends 10 eonfound all moral distinsti-
ons, all sense ofmerit and demerit.
Its admitted in principle, ihatthe Ia
Tents and virtue Of a country ought TO 60.
yern it; but this.system diseourasest the
MODEST exertions ofthe one, and tends
TO suppress the best influences Of the o.
thcr---The 6rst magistrate necessarily
puts himself al the head Of a party, in
Guiding all those, who expect favor or
reward. His personal character becomes
the only question of moment to such as
are patriots BY trade. They well know
the condition upon which he viii give,
and they can receive; and as their hopes
depend on their success in making prose
elytes, they will be jealous. Such are
orators by profession who understand
every thing BY instinct, who defy allre-
futasion and confound al sense. Yet
such men are al powerful. But there
Is a class of men Of larger views, of some
talents and influence, who are stimulat-
ed by the hope Of great rewards to make
great efforts. They have little regard
to the man they support; they would
desert him with triumph, and leave him
TO perish with infamy, 70 Join one more
popular and successful. They study his
character as they would learn the use of
an instrument; they look 10 Office and
power, as the means Of profit and re-
venge. The election Of President,
then, win form the pivot on which every
thing viii turn. Il will be felt in every.
corner ofthe country, giving new Life
and new directions 10 the great mass of
corruption in il, till electiong besome
the mere apolagy ofusurpasion.
There are other evils ofa more threa-
tened nature TO be encountered, under
the disguise Of amendments to the con
stitution. Those, which have been, and
are already proposed. win leave, il Is
tobe feared little Of The original frame
or policy Of the government. The uni.
on seems to be melting away, under the
iervid influences Of the dogstar Of politi-
cal philosophy. It's powers are already
20 much weakened, as hardly to reach
or eontrnnl the great bodies in the sys-
tenn. Thetendeney seems to be towards
anarchy in the members, rathert than en-
ergy in the head Those states, which
we're always too proud to have an equal,
are about m re .ass rifne their rfs,peS. /, -,