The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-02-12


Thought, from ,hefe favourable circumstances, 70 81
out Of the reach OF danger. But when we fee other
Republics 3Igraccfsl,y renouIciT- the frut of their
iuiferiuys and exploits and tancly eu5mttng to the
controui of Mlrrs we ought At le.a to reflect the
'nies Of their isi and eoader OF the by which
Te .iay be guarded againt Ike degradation.
I, viii. think be s,reed that knov!edee and virtue
III TIE BODY Of the people elcntia the fuppo,
OF ;res Observation-Disclosures them we G,ould
dily iubnt any artful Ufurper. The f-a lct;lars
ot ts Stare, OF their Importance, adopted every
cxre.icat in thcr power to promote them; and 10
long p-csrve uninpaired the nititutions which
haze oeen ,rainitsed 10 us BIZ the wif!om Of
eetors, ana retain their purity of manners, and the
lsIors which they ineuicateci, may hope be
u2t from the vicitudes winch other nations have
been exIofsi.
Religious principles and insution: are neceaary TO
all Cavern nents, and Especially tc Republics. The
teachers oreligon Of Whatever denomination they arc
by their moral iniru9ions may have much influence
IN uphodns the order Of focety, and re yulang the
eoadda of the people ;-ther Offices would therefore
be Of great importance if they had higher OBJ
ieSs in vew---But all nations have e1preaed
vrrcnce for the Deity, and have united in the belief
that fonie mode of worhip necsaary obtain his
favor-Within few years, indeed experiment,
has sen made By the people oi France OF reuourcing
religion buS have iecu the .Sndeucy and ter
animation OF their fyltenl.
To nnrmerats the initi,utions ehaolbed by DURAN
eeaors might be though. uperiuons; many ot them,
ard particularly thofe whk rclatei 70 education. are
ft maintained, and we every day experience their
beneficial effects May their poaerity not on,y pre-
ferve their n!iitutioa., but practice their and
virtue.
i IS often faid that mott OF the Rcpublics which
have referred to, conquered by their more pow
cru neighbours AMI that remote ituation from
Egro6r enfares the ilsety of governments Per-
haps tiee OFFER raions not 70 correct rs we are
inclined to believe Free States are in much greater
danger from thsr own dePravity, than from external
cnsIHies The vices, ddordsrs and divions in former
RepubGcs have in I cafes occaiinned their ruin Ii
viii b. difficult 10 fird nance, where free and
ess2sdP people hve been conquered, who had not de-
Eccri.cd from mat v"tae ny which their liberty was
cn15Ea,ci. Wi.cr they are furrnunled by other ma
tdls, they conf Yer them watching to take adyan-
taTe Of their folly and weairues this reflection ops-
rates as consane check upon their diiordcry patti
II invllon is threatened and any public pirit
reains in the people they lay aide private animof-
tcs, and unite for their common defence I'm this
ne apprehension OF danger from abroad has
in nrnAercis !H.taaces prevented contention ~ home
Our d.laace from Esssse will BE fortunate circnn-
&lnce ~e can be a; peace anoag ourielves; leens
IN: probability OF foreign Hvaion, though il may en-
create the danger fron, internal fcuds.
II nc Republics wi;5n have juG mentioned the
people had iucien. virtue and pubic prit to u
ti-e t&cir efforts a5a:nt the common enemy Their
ayinbcrS aad wea';t were grea. as when they re-
flied the moa powerful princes; and if they had acted
s'i.h a"a.i-;ty and v;gouT, their defenive attitude
n glit hive iaved them from an attack But they
we've divided aud weakened by fa5tons; their falie
patriots co-opera:ed with their nvs Isrs aud their Co
vsra1ei;s i 20 much by the arms Of coq.cror
a. BY tie weigh Of th.i vice Such are the er-
techs 6. Yoclt diiorcrrs npllcable dicord in all
freq Sta'es they lead anarchy, and end in def
PoTiim There may BE- !nuch diverisy in the process,
but the reiult is nearly the fame the chief difference
u.s. that iuall States generally call in a matter from a.
broad and great nations make Tyrant fo- themleves
When political difputes are conducted with n,oder-
alton and ca7dour they innocent aud may be ueuI
But vt.I parties become eager and vehement =
when ia the heat os contentioa they lo. fight of the
public interett and endeavour n.iead the citizens
by fae approximations, they corrupt the public mo-
rails and tend directly to licentioufe and confufon
In ucn cafes there would be danger that the InoR I'M
PrncPed would be the moi fuccsisful ;--they nigh,
re!ort 70 Eeaures which their opponents might be un-
willing to adopt for honet men would dillain to
deceive the people, ard wonld never devate from roht
rouduct TO promote any caufe produce any change
N opinions or ncaiures But if men of corrupt prn-
epcs iboit thus predominant, they might chooe ra-
ther to fub,ni, DEPOT Of their own eleaion than
'' !!a.s & ;!e;7 j! ;ef;:;Fee' influence
From our iisuation we have the Of afety, in
peculiar manner ~ our Own power, inl il dcpanGs
upon ouricvcs, whcihcT people we become The
mott r-lpe& 5!iie or the moh w.-clcd--If we are IL
osea in 4fetliol Is we retain tsg. -ourf Of living
and are animated with zeal Cor Ne pablo good we
tra'l pos!s reogrces fully iucent for cur iccurty
-nI ha rife 20 me hig%et Gatc Of public honor and
hApp'a,is. But firtetnr divions and civil diCco rds
Prevail &c nau be exPofel, only to foreign in
ils hut TO thofe revengefu doneic enormities which
have been the terror and dgrace of other nations 1t
u the grea: du:y then of every citizen inGead of excl
t. variance and party hrfc which ar. the ourccs of
e"aidoA and miiery, to promote concord among the
Teope--And it will be the aim of good Government
10 Unite the citizens in the tics of.riendip ard make
The happiness ofthe Statecnnln theharmony Gifts fe
yeTai parts. Such Government will be hyperion TO
elhih considerations and partial attachments and will
imPre reiPed by the equity, and uniformity Of It's
principles; by conitant adherence to probity and
good laiyh in its mealures and by caung moral reeti
tude TO be had in honor.
You wiresdily preceive, Gentlemen, that our fafety
would be endangered by general relaxation either Of
the military or the political virtues decay of the for
mer would expole to foreign aggrsfon and by the de-
CINE OF the latter fould become an eafy prev TO
the ambitious projects Of zstefs and afpring men a.
Inong oorfeVes. The hitory of other Republics viii
ierve to lay open to OUT view the dguifes under which
tyranny may be introduced in free State In the
modern Republics of Eprobe the Gcenes which were
formerly dIpaycd in hoe Of Creeee and Po,ze have
been repeated. Dhentiou and party fprit were ex-
eted among the people, and their pafons we're arful-
lY uhamcd agsi1it the mo ableand vrtuous citizens
aud aganf thofe iniitutous and retrs;1s which wifi
do had dsv c,d 81 Oh. Il