Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-10-22

"Supposing that we should even be oblip-
ed To take democracy with all the disad-
Vant9ges that were ever annexed to it, and
THAI no remedy could be discovered for a.
ny Of its defects, il would be stu greatly
preferable to the exclusive system OF ether
forms. Let Is take Athens with Its tpr-
bulence aRd instability; with the popular
and temperate usurpations OF Pisistratus
and Pericles with their monstrous ostra-
cism, by which with undisguised Injustice
they were accustomed periodically to ban
ish some eminent citizen without the impu-
tation Of a crime with the Imprisonment
OF Miltia5es, the exile Of Aristides and the
murder Of Phoci0n with al these errors
en- its head, il is incontrovertible that A.
thens exhibited n more illustrious and en-
yiabie spectacle than all the nlonarchies
and ariIocracies that ever existed. Who
Wou'd reject their gallant love Cfvirtue ard
Independence, because 1t was accoiai,a-lied
wish some irregularities Who wouid pass
an UnTcscrvei condemnation upon their ne
netradng Tiiad, their quick decernnent
and tteir ardent feeling, because they were
subject occasionally 20 be Incorporate and
impctuous? Sail We compare q people Of
Sucn incredible achievements, such cxoui-
site refntment, g}y without insensibility
and sp'c2Aid without intemperancc. in the
midst q whom grow up the greatest poets.
the noblest artists, the most finished orators
aud political writer's, and the most disinter-
este1 philosophers the world ever saw
Shall we compare this chosen scat Of pa
triotism, independence and generous virtue.
with the torpid and selfish realms Of me-
narchy and aTist0cracy? All is not happi-
Fess that looks tranquility. Better were
Portion q turbulence ard fuctu, ton, than
that unwh3'c sonc calm, in which ell the
best faculties of tbc human mind are turn.
ed to putrcsccHcc and poison.
lin the estimate that is usually made of
democracy, one Of tfe most Migrant sources
OF error lies in cur taking mankind such
rs monarchy and aristocracy have made
item, and from thence judging how fit thev
are 70 legislate for themselves Monarchv
and aristocracy would be no evils, if their
we're net toundermine the virtues
AID the understandings Of their subjects.
Inc th'Es most necessary is TO remove all
those restraints which hold the mind back !
from rs natural 5iFht. Implicit faith, blind |
Submission TO authority, timid fear, a dis |
tiuet of Cur powers, an intention co our own !
imp ire aRi the cool purposes we are |
l)la T. effect, these arc the chief Obstacles !
81 hufn1n improvements. Democracy poe I
-ores 20 man consciousness OF his value. |
e caches him by tie removal of authority
nd cTprcs si0n IN listen only To the dictates
Il reason, gives MIN confidence to treat an /
,thcr men as MS fellow beings, and induce
,im 20 regard them no longer as enemies
lgainst wnom t. be upon his guard buf as
brethren whom il becomes him To assist
Tile eitizen Of a dcmocratcal state, who,
ne looks upon the miserab'e oppression and
Injustice that prevails in the countries A.
round hiIa, cannot butcntertaina an inexpres.
'ible esteem Tor the advantages he ENJOYS.
md the most unaltcrable determination IT
III hazords 70 prescye them. The influence
V democracy upon the sentiments of IFS
members is altogether of the negative sort.
,ut It's consequences are inestimable. No
hing canbe more unreasonable than to ar.
,ue RON men as we now find them, to men
IS they may hereafter be made. Strict and
ccuratc reasoning, instead. Of SUFFERING ms
. be surprised that Athens did SO much.
you'd at first induce Us tc won Ter th It she
etaincd 50 nany imporfections"