The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-03-24
Do,:lsstic.
FROM TIKI NATIONAL INrELLIGhscER.
THE CONSPIRACY.
@AHL.


This plot menacing as it once was, is crufh-
ed. BY what means ? By means honorable TO
the government, to the nation, and to repub-
lican principles. TIE promptnefs with which
thefe means have been taken, and the prechion
with which they have been applied, have not on
ly faved the efuliion of drop of human blood,
but have altogether averted thofe evils which
mutt have enfued from the extenlion of a con-
fpracy 70 mnltifarious in It's objects, and 70
dreadful in its effects, had it proved in the leaf
degree fuccefsiul.
Thefe means are
The vigilance and energy of the general 60
vernment
The a6iye and energetic cooperation of
the fate and territorial authorities and above
all,
The virtue and intelligence of the American
people.
Becaufe the advocates and apologies of mo-
narchy have, time immemorial, claimed for
that fpscies of governments the attributes of
vigilance and energy, it has been lightly, and
in our opinion, faliely inferred that the epubli-
can fytem was defttute of them. /. is true that
many of the ancient, and more of the modern
republics, as they have been erroneoully tyled, ,
were characterized by policy At once ignorant
and inbece but the fyitems eitabihcd by
ourteIves are individually the only legitimate
republics that have ever exiited-the only fyf-
bic principles of free governments. The prin-
ciPle of representation was before either I'M
known, or unprotected By guards ef1ential to
its exiltence and to the fair Development of lis
properties. Mott ,of previous fyfems called
republican, were 70 aUkwardly organized as to
be either deftitute of the powers rcquiGte for
the promotion of the general welfare and the
common defence, or thefe powers were 70 in
judiciouhy attributed, as in periods of real
danger to be incapable of exercife. Formed
too in periods OF comparative barbarifrn, the
talents and intrigues of the few invariably get
ting the better of the many, conRaaty tended
to wref powers, however euardedly conferred,
from the honet purpofes for which they were
given. Taefe are few OF The reaions why the
very name of republic became term of re-
Proacb. 1t was rrferved for the American peo-
pie, At a period, when the materials were be-
fore them, to eaabIli in its purity and fpirit
that fyaem Of which philosophers may have
dreamed, but which bad never been previouny
carried into eff Ct by Jingle nation Of the aii-
cient or modern world.
AS far as an experience, limited indeed in
point oftime, but almol in6he in the harvcA
Of wildom, il has yielded, utilities us in draw
ing concIulion, this fyfem has lhewu itfeIfto
pofiefs every attribute which capable in he
highet degree OF advancing the general good
connected With the Leaf capacity to impair it.
1t may in fomc Eefpeets be true that it does not
ponefs the Uigi!anee 70 vauntngy afcribed to
monarchy. Ii cannot boat of thofe leginUs of
fpes that through the wide domain Of The mo-
march watch the sStions, feize the uHgusrdcd
exprefIlons, and even check the freedom of
thought of his opprefed yafals.
1t will be readily admitted that 1t has none
Of theie dreadful engines Of perfecution and ty-
rdnny. Thefe nhruneB:s 70 capable of fatal
abufe, 20 incapable Of producing any fubhdnti.
al good-.fo defructive indeed Of every bl6lIing
the iecurity of which alone Iegitn,ies govern
ment. But it has other inAruments, wbofs
numbers even exceed the merccnary bands Ct
tyrants, and Whole efficacy every great e.
mergency of rate will prove to be equally dc
cilive, Theie are the affections and inelli-
gence Of the Whole nation, who's cildalning tO
be on ordinary occafons the tools or fycophdnis
of power, feIze with an avdiiy honea As il is
ardent, every occa!on in which the iuraidence
VI danger demands their feryice. Ibis is the