Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-08-16

chosen 10 DIS much as il substituted 70
the actual government OF, the country
merely one of its originating principles
In this we so fully conceded thai we con
Sslderfdsthe arguments in support of sucl
an inseution well deserving a republican.
In the Aurora, a paper pablishedin Phi
laaelphia by Mr.. Duane, of the 18th o
Jane 1862. 1t is attempted to be proysatha
the article alluded to (Which is subsequent
y denominaled, ATTAINING but t'easonabiee
attack upon the American forms ofgovern
rnen,7) has totally mis.aken the nature 0,
our federal and state constitutions, which
are asserted to be in every respectcomplete
and perfect lemocracies, according to the
fayofite dogma of the party 10 which thai
paper is an oracle. In the National intel
ligersrr a paper published at the seat Of
goserh.ncnt, and next in authority to the
Aurora, it Is asserted that liberty does net
flow from good laws, bur good laws proceed
from liberty. WHICH, if meaning any thing
must refer liberty to that state Of nature,
wherein man is ancon6ned by any law, ro,
to thar state of civil society where mans
rights and liberties are secured by laws en-
acted by, and obligatory on that society,"
These are the opinions intended to be i'm.
planted as sacred truths in the public mind,
by those whose interest and wish appeal: TO
cenfound all the barriers of civil order, and
subvert the constitution of our country by
giving it false definition, and by forcing
the dsluded people OF the state to believe
themselves not the subjects but the masters
of the law. These ara the sentiments and
doctrines which i. is the duty Of every well
meaning ciuzen to combat and destroy.
That the goodness or badness of the
laws constitutes freedom or slavery in a
state, is a position which those who con.
tradlct have only involved themselves ia
absurdi.y by opposing; which can scarcely
be made clearer BY demonstration; which
argument only tends to perplex; and to
which the general understanding OF man.
kind immediately and inyoluntarily assents.
And the only reason Why republican is
preferable 10 any other form OF govern.
ment, is, that it gives the great promise OF
just and eqeal laws, and OF their tam ana
impartial administration.
No government, merely for its }orm, is
to be made the object of reverence or OF
attachment as no idol of certain shape
is TO be regarded a, peculiarly the symbol
of the supreme being. TO constitute the
utility of political system. as we'll as the
excellence of a religious one, we must cal
cula,e, in both cases, whether they answer
che purposes for which they were institute
ed !: whether in the one instance it pro-
duces temporal prosperity, IN the other
polnts the way to eternal happiness. Ibis
is the true criterion Of a good government:
and no doubt can be entertained that, as
the character of one nation differs from
another, so should Its government. Can
Frenchman enjoy rational liberty; or an
American tamely crouch nndsr despotlsm!
Would the spirl, of an English conssitu'
ton be productive of aught but anarchy
and confusion in the plains OF Asia! or
the institutes OF TImur suit the refined
manners of civilized Europe!
lnty, ~thSp, Wilo1 La 1''S'' >ai"'S' 49,
projects, have talked OF revolulionizing
the world TO one great scheme OF traternl-
". have only shewn themselves madmen
or fools. Nations must differ on the great
subjects of politics and religion. Una lex
Roma. una Attenis. And 10 undertake TO
establish an universal system, which is
TO subi1gate the mind and body, is as
Quixoiic as the hope of shackliug the tenn
pest; or, by commanding the waves to
stiffness, to hush the :agings of the sea.
There is little doubt that the contribution of
the United States is the bef 5 fem OF theory IN
exiRence; bot they VINO call thelrlelyesn ITS only
friends, appear leaa to undcrRand its nature.--
Their devotion has been sddrcGcd TO tie temple,
not to the divinity wAieh inhabits it. Or they
have felt any religious in!piration, it hss been
for fictitious Deity, tabled God, With all the
attributes Of blood thirty Moluch, whom they