Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-29
From .Ae Natfsael Encouragement.

which render it an enquiry of great inn
fportance, IN what true repubiicanisn con-
sists. tits essentially necessary to deter.
mine this point before we can decide who
are genuine republicans. This decision is
OF the most momentous nature. In all
communities, but more especially in those
which are free, political strength is the re-
suit OF association and such association
wiil be powerfu, in proportion to The nun.
oers OF those united, and their identity of
sentiment OH the great poiuts for the esta.
ohshment or maintenance of which they
have united. Itisessential then To the du-
rable power of the republicans of the u.
nited States, that they should combine
numbers and coincidence orpolitical senti-
ment. Both are indispensable. Neither
will long avail without the other. Coin.
cideDcc OF sentiment, unaded by num-
bers, will be Observation-Disclosures which.
IN general, give to every citizen the same
measure of political power; and numbers,
however great, will quickly sink into i'm.
potence, or be scattered in confusion un-
less there be an unity in the objects. and
a correspondence in the means used for
obtaining them. I,owhat degree it is ne
cessary that this unity of objea and cor
respondence OF means should exist, 10 in.
|spire general confidence among those
who are associated, is problem of no ca.
sy solution; and yet every day's exp-ri.
ence calls upon political men to make il.
For how else am Ito determine whetb.r
he who differs from me on nar,;cutar
points is to be viewed as political friend
or foe.
mere are two ways in which this en-
curry may be made; either by an exami.
nation OF those points on which an agree.
ment is essential, and thence inGerrinp
,hat on other points II is not essential; or
oy ENDURING ia the FIRST instance, en- wl,a,
points It is not necessary TO agree, and
then enqsnrlng on what of the remaininp
points AN agreement is necessary. The
subject Will be probably best elucidated
oy making the latter snqpiry first.
he principles of government are usu
ally and deservedly considered as the moss
Interesting objects Of attention. They are
the great features Of discrimination wbict
distinguish the habits and condition of ore
people from those of another. if NOT in
numerabe' they are, compared with all O.
Tier human institutions of so permanent 2
character as TO decide in great, if not
The greatest degree, the destioy of natl
oDs, to lead them to happiness and glory.
or condncf them TO misery and huuliliaii.
on. a Tree government too is the source
or the greatest felicity, and despotic ro.
Vernmentthe parentofthe greatest wretch
edness- Thus far il is essential that all
political men in this country, 10 be entitled
10 confidence, should think alike and ,hus
lar those who profess themselves reoubJi-
cans do think alike.
Du. inc moment, we come to apply this
prlocIple to human actions, diversity Of
opinion is found TO spring up. The peo.
pie are universally acknowledged TO be the
source OF all power, but how they shall
exercise this power Is point variousIy de-
cided. 1T is universally agreed that " all
men are created equal; that they are en-
dowed by their creator with certain mali
enable rights that among these are life.
liberty and the pursuit Of happiness." And
yet, IN most cases, the first steps tax in
the formation Of governments and laws.
are 10 destroy this very equality; andtbe
degrees in which il is abropated will he
'o'nd 10 be as various as the constitutions
OF the respective states. For instance !,
"onid seem that, IN Representative 90.
vernmenl, the fundamental princ;nle, IN
order 10 insure equality, would be the riebt
OF every man to participate in The rboics
OF ms rulers, and yet il will be uercrivsd
on examining the several const;,n,;ons
that 1t is scarcely the same IN anv I've
states. :" any TWO
chosen, ''"'u'c -
BY CITIZENS,
IL New. Hampshire, paving taxe,
Massaehusetts--possessed Of freebold
OF 81 income, or estate worth sol.
khode-lsland--no constitutionaI o,.i;.
| 6cation. ''u''ohAi quail
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Of freehold .,
90 income, or estate worth 4ol.
view iork--possessed of freebold al
So,. or VINO pay rent Of 4os. value.
New-Jersey---worth sol.
rpe1nsylvania--who pay taxes.
Delaware do.
Maryland-- do.
Observation-Disclosures,
North Caroline, -. So.