Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-07-02
From the Vermont journal.
Mr.. ELLIOT
TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.
LETTER XI--ANp LAST.


fy candid man ia the district---ln imitation
Of certain characters whose steps am
psoua to follow, I shall now present my
oousssaents with my general political creed
--and they will then determine whether
am an aoostate or arepublican OF unaltered
principles.
With the venerable subscribers OF the
declaration of independence, l" hold these
truth. 20 be self-evident /; that all men are
created equal; that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienab,e,
rights; that among these are life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness. That to Sc
cure these rights, governments are lnsti--
tuted among men, deriving their Just pow.
err. from the consent ofthe governed; that
when any form OF government becomes
destructive OF these ends, ttissthc right OF
,he neople 70 alter or abolish it, and to in-
s,ituts new government" Altho' have
been from nv earliest infancy firm be-
lieyer in the Christian religion, vet 1 de-
test the idea of religion established by
law, aud cordially Subscribe 70 the sem
timents expressed upon this subject 10 the
declaration Of the rights OF the people OF
this state. | beliey. the republican sys-
tenn of government 70 be the best that
has ever existed in the world, and the
constitution of the United States TO be
the best of all republican systems hrher-
TO. I believe that the immense territory
and heterogeneous population OF the Unit
eel States cannot be preserved n state
Of union under a system less energetic than
the present constitution itwoald be dam
qerous 70 makelt more democratic, and
/ hone that it will never be necessary to
make II more aristocratic. beileVe that
Washington was the greatest warrior and
probably the most correct statesman IN
our country. believe Adams to be
man. of integrity and talents, but that the
General SYSTEM Of his administration was
wrong. I believe that Jefferson IS man
Of great abilities, and sincere friend to
a republican form of government, and
snail support his administration, and that
of every future president during my HE,
and the constitutional authorities general
ly, so far as 10 my conscience shall deem
their measures calculated to preserve the
constitution and the rights OF the people
7 believe we ought 10 have no political
idols, and that every nam ought TO De at
liberty 10 express his sentimt hts IN a de-
cent manner respecting the measures OF 60
yernment. I believe that some of the large
states possess TOO great degree OF lnfiu-
ence at the present moment, and that the
small states ought to guard their rights
with ivalous vigilance. believe that the
doctrines preached by certain republicans
of distinction, that mea should adhere TO
their party in defiance of their God, and
chat no regard should bepaid to the Prl-
yate characters of candidates for Office,
are equally immoral aud an.ire?noIican,
and destructive of religious as well as OF
correct political principles and sooner
than embrace such detestable dogmas,
will abandon society, and wander N
the darkest wild of solitude. tbelieve
that the preservation of republican priuci-
pies in the United States is inseperably
connected with the exertions and talents OF
wise aud good men, aud not with the
meanness Of office hunters and the mad
ness Of enthusiasts. | believe that the
American people are possessed of sulici.
emf wisdom and virtue to support a repub>
lican government, and | wish for the free
dom and happiness of mankind uniser.
sally.
II appears to me saat this cannot be cali
ed the creed of an aristocrat or dema-
gogue il is that of an inAexible constitu-
tional republican. Sach as it is, it will
guide and govern my conduct IN every fu-
ture moment Of mys life. shall strive to
be honest, not enthusiastic, independent,
not clanoroas. hut shall always be In
some degree enufous Of particular trait
in the character of Agricola as described
by 'Facitus. Scorning TO disguise his
sentiments, he always acted with gene