Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-10-16

faSntOQSQ Into COM"ohWs" ..c -.
mation of which requires materials skllful. !.
| " prepared, and must be the work OF
time; for the causes of Dissection are ln-
fOuhaerable." H42 !,
Governments are also changed thro'
negligence. when high Offices OF state are
entrn strd to persons unfrlendly TO the con-
s,i,ution. Thus Drum germerly Hestiea,
civ in the Isle of Eubee) was subyerted
| by Heracliodorus, partizan OF democra.
Icy" Q4O !.
e Nothing uhe Stagyrite repeats) which
touches the springs of government, should
be regarded as unimportant; SINCE ny
changing the tsrm OF the smallest part tue
beauty Of the whole system may be de-
s,royed. AT Abracia the qualification en-
tit!ing to vote was small; it was lmPru-
dently reduced to nothing; and the coun-
,ry soon fell into the hands Of hoasrless
rabble," Q44)
Thus, m, fellow citizens, it is evident,
from indisputablc facts, and the united tes-
timony of authors, s wao lived remote
from our concerns, unmoved by our pas
| sions, unaffected by our Interests" that
republics are prone to degenerats into dc.
| mocraeies, and that democracy invariably
leads to loss of liberty, and unqualified
despotism.
Here let us pause. Is it our duty as clti-
| gems entrusted with our own welfare and
| the welfare of others, and while our cousi-
tuition is vet in the full tide, successful
experiment. to interrupt the issue by es-
sential alterations in its structure and eie-
ments? Ye great and lesser demagoguss :!
We who siiie yourselves organs OF he pub,
lie wil' We self created defenders OF he
poblic liberty! who undertake TO persuade
the unletterrd multitude tina. they are every
thing, and That all must bond to their will,
call upon you in the sacred names OF IL
Berty. and your country, to stay you pro-
csedipqs: 10 reflect before il be too late,
thar the moment will arrive, when these
political acts, which shall pluuse the people
efthe United States into the llcensIonsness
and horrors of democracy, will be Judged
and punished. Can you persuade yourselves
that YOU are not responsible beings! that II
is no crime in the eye Of the almighty, to
pollute the fountains of elections to con-
vert our republics into democy aces and
bring them upon the nation with all their
train of attendants, immortality, irreEgion,
prescriptions, banishmen,s. assass,natlons,
murders, despotism and tyranny.
People Of the United States, the times
call for the oolexercise OF your judgmsni.
With you it rests 20 give Permanehcy 10
our republics, or to change them into d..
mocrasies. Are you disposed TO submit
TO be directed by the ambitious comblna-
lions of few men are you disposeu 10
exercise the power vested IN you by IN
constitution, otherwise than according to
the mode il has prescribed Are you rea-
dy at the suggestion Of possible inconyeni-
ences to favor the alterations In your govern
m as? Do ye think lightly OF i@novaunons
upon ancient customs, and view as sight
circumstance the destruction OF org tried
institutions? Do ey consider respect to age
and experience as OF no consequence TO the
wellbeinp Of the state ?-Do.ye couht as
aonght religion and its professors! Are
@ye 10 be induced by the arts ct indivldu-
ais, to give your sufFrages to men OF the
less, approved merit, in preference TO men
Of talents and acknowledged virtue! Do
ys deem it of no importance to inspire
YOUR children wi,ha strong attachment to
our constitutions and institutions 1t such
be YOUR temper aud dispositions, then are
these republics on the verge OF a wild de-
nocraCv.
On the other hand if We are determined
in no instance to ovsrsteP our political
rights: if we believe that the best eonsttuS.
ed republic may be destroyed BY successive
democratical alterations, as he largest tor
tune by small and successive expences 1t
we cling to your anciene customs, and lanS
tried establishments ifye CONSIDER 1t en-
.curnbeut on you TO educate your offspring