Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-08-06
, FROM THE AURORA.
AekrouledreG PRINCIPLES.

Every ran OF every party will subscribe to
thase principles =
That state of society is the best in which no
man can be injured without redress
Ts7t must be an excellent siate of soc ETY. in
which moral Observation-Disclosures ths gene
raj principles of justice are observed universally
ard strissiy, and where ii is disgrsoefn TO violate
either.
Where the community is thus morally and ex.
aaly virtuous, the Trial by jury is of all others
ths most secure against injasu,ee.
In such 4 state of society il you'd be scarcely
possible 10 fini bad men-or to choose bad ms
gistratcs.
In such a state of society. shame woald
overtaks the greatest and most powerful cri.
minal.
In such a state of society the humb'est man
would feel confident security, love Of ms coun-
try and gratitude to God.
In such state CT society, no man could be
wronged with impaniry.
No man could be oppressed with impunity to
the opp,essor.
no mans industry could be torn from him un.
DIR false preIences, withour exciting universal
Indignation and conaign punishment OH tie op.
pressoy.
No man could be torn from his wife, his chill.
dren. or his honns-to satiate the malice or the
vengeance of an evil minded man or a wicked
combination Of men.
In = society truly virtuous, truly practising sc-
eording TO the pro fesson OF the christian fifth
with hope and charity-nothin. could be said or
done, or counts sancsa, contrary TO these princi.
pies.
viii any man dispute these principles!
Are they not indispu,able
Is not our form of government founded on
such principles
Have we arrived a, thar state Of perfea virtue
and exaa justice which these principles 6es.
cIibe D
IF we have not--onght we not TO aim at the
Accomplishment Of such happy STATE of viru
ous freedom, united with security and indepen
dencs.
II is said tina, our nature is depraved ans that
reformation il vain TO attempt--yet religion tells
us that reformation IS not in yain--that reforma
ton is practicable and necessary.
Eut is it said, ,hat ideas of pe,jeaitikity ere
visionary.
Yet it nusi be admitted that it is better TO pur.
sue Pc ectib:Gty though !, may be intperjsetiy at
tanned, than TO remain in ignorance, albeit ser
Willy, stupidity, or the habits of prejudice or
vice because the pursuit of the former may
produce some good aud can produce no evil ;
while 4 continuance under any of the opposite
circumsiaSces, even he nest innocent stale.
that of Ignorance. is iteif pernicions TO society,
and Eieanness. prejudice and wee. are but The
FIRST foundations OF crimes and mi,for,anes to
society
Du,le as particulars s the application of some
of our principles.
How do our laws and the praaice in what are
called cus courts Of justice, accord with these
rational, moral, and Christian principles ! hp
Ply these principles 10 the case Of Wi!iam Dick.
rSn, printer a. Lancaster.
A man Of the name Of sVeriz, who was sen,
ator declared that ovsrtuTes had been made indi
resiy to him, 1. accept alscraive Office and that
he considered this as b.ibe. for which he was
expected to give his votes. --Re,tS declared this
Ito scveral--he does not deny il to this day.
Dickson pubthed WIN, Wertz said and what
ais prosecutor knew Wsrtz did say bur Dick
son was an honest man, who in has dea inEs
bore as fair character as any man in America,
private or pubic; and he had press most scru.
pulously devoted 10 truth, and adverse TO gross
ness or deceit aud Dickson ~onld not lend his
press 70 favor those who deceived or ehened the
public--DieLson was prosecuted and ny man'gs'
meat Of ju,Ors, iapyc,s, and jKdges -Diekson
was imprisoned three months. and despoiled OF
the property acquired by his labor
Whle Weyfs who declared and continues now
10 declare what Dickson published was rue
was NOT even proseou ed nor called upon 10 re-
/lte what was ailsdss ed ~ aim constantly.
Now apply the principles above sta'sd to this
case-aud say have we arrived at such a siate
of psrfes moral government as we ogg'I' or as
tn. gospel prescribes--for lea II be kept in mind
that men who profess the gospel mus, be ruled
and judged by IL.
But let Va put another case
Many will scarcely belisvs thar there caA be
a case 50 bad in Christian soc'eiy.
Yes, there is sin worse csse--and in part nj
the u States TOO. which assumes roSe--talki
rnore---sad boasls nere--and ean's more aboui
religious psty aud steady habits of pIsty, and
chiistian niniGsrs-and zeal for reiigion--sno
gospel iovs--sa3 the love Of ORDER dian any o
shsr pan Of toe WHOA,