Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1805-07-12
LITTER xf.--AND LAST.

OF every candid man in the district. In
imitation of certain characters, whose
steps | am proud 70 follow, / shall now
present my constituents with my general
political creed; and they willthen de.
termine whether am an apostate OF a
republican OF unalssred principles.
With the venerable subscribers Of the
declaration Of independence, ]. hold
these truths to be seifevident, thar ali
men are created equal; that they are en-
dowed BY their Creator with certain un.
alienable rights; that amongstthese ana
life, liberty, and the pursuit Of happi-
ness. That to secure these rights go
vernments are Instituted among men,
deriving theirjusi right from the consent
ofthe governed; that whenever any form
Of government becomes destructive OF
these ends, il Is the right Of the people
to alter or abolish il, and to institute
new government" Although | have
been IRON my earliest infancy Z firm be-
lever in the Christian religion, YET de.
test the idea Of a'religion established b.
law, and cordially subscribe TO the senti-
ments expressed upon this subject, in
the declaration ofthe rights Of the people
Of this state. believe the republican
system Of government to be the best that
has ever existed in the world, and the
constitution Of the u. States 10 be the
best Of al republican systems hitherto.
believe that the immense territory and
heterogeneous population ofthe United
States cannot be preserved in 4 state Of
union under q system less energetic than
the present constitution il would. BE.
dangerous to make il more democratic,
and / hope that il viii never be necessa-
~ to make il more aristocratic. Ibelieve
that Washingson was the greatest warri-
or and probably the most correct states
man in our country,
believe Adams to be man OF int.
gritty and talents but that the general sys-
TEN of his administration was wrong
Ibrlieye that Jefferson is . man Of great
abilities, and sincere friend to a repnb-
lican form Of government, and shall
support his administration, and that of
every future president during my life,
and the constitutional authorities gene
rally, 50 far.as in my conscience shall
deem their measures calculated to pre-
serve the constitution and the rights, of
the people. ] believe we ought 20 have
no political idols, and that every man
ought 10 be at liberty TO express his sem
timents ID decent manner respect
ing the measures Of government. Ibe-
lieve that some Of the large states pos
!, sess too great degree ofinHuence II the
present moment, nd that the small
states oughtto guard their rights With
jealousyigilanee. Ibelicysth the doc.
trines preached BY certain republicans Of
distinction, that men should adhere 10
their party in defiance al, their God, and
that no regard should be paid to the pri-
waite characters ofcandidates for ofiee
are equally immoral and anti.repnblican,
and destructive Of religious aswsll as Of
correct political principles and sooner
than embrace such detestable dcgmps, i
viii abandon society, and wander - the
darkest wild of solitude. I believe that
Misrepresentation Of republican principles
in the United States IS inseparably con-
neeled with the exertioas and talents Of
wise and good men, and NOT with the
meanness Of Office hunters and the mad
ness Of enthusrasis. believe that the
American people are possessed Of suiEi-
cient wisdom and and virtue TO support
arepuhlican government, and wish for
the freedom and happiness of.mankind
universally.
Itappears to me that this cannot be
called the creed Of an aristocrat or dema-
gogue il i that Of an inaexible and
constitutional republican. Such a. il Il,
il win guide and govern my conduct in
every future moment of my life. Ishall
strive to be honest, not enthusiastic, IN
dependent not clamorors. But I shall
always be in some degree emulous Of
particular trait in the character Of Agri-
cola, a. described by Tacitus. = Scorn-
ing 20 disguise bis sentiments. be aluavs