The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-01-13
.znt9ceUanu.
ELOQUENT EXTRACT.

McIntofh in his defence OF Peltier, aTerted this
| protecution was the firft Of long ferries Of
| conflicts, between the greatef power in the
world, and the only free prefs now remain
ing in Europe" In Holland, in Switzerland,
in the Imperial towns of Germany, the prefs
was either legally practically free. But
Holland and Switzerland are no NOR: :;
and iince the commencement of this proie-
cution SO Imperial towns have b,en erafcd
| from the liit of independent nations, by one
cah of the pen.--The orator then proceeds
in the following brains:
Theie Governments were in many refpeets Que of
the mot nerehing parts of the an,ier, fyem of Eu-
rope. Unfortunately, for the repofe OF mankind,
great itates are compelled, by regard to their own
iaiey TO coniider the military fprit and martial ha-
bits OF their people as Of tho main objects of their
policy. Frequent hofttes feem amon the necefIary
condition OF their greasnef-; and, without being
great, they cannot long remain fate. Smaller ftaces
exempted from this cruel neceiity-a hard condition
OF greaneis,a bitter fatre human naturedevoted
themeives to the arts of peace, the cultivation OF
literature, and the improvement of reafon They
became places of refuge for free and fearlefs difcu
on; they the impartial spectators and judges of
the various oonteas OF ambtion which, from time
time, difurbed the quiet of the world. They thus
became peculiarly qualifed to he the organs OF that
public opinion which converted Europe into great
republic, with laws which mitigated, though they
>
bunals to which even the mott defpotic soyereigus
were amenable. If wars Of aggrandizsment were
undertaken their authors were arraigned in the face
of Europe. Ifaas of internal tyranny were perpe-
traied, they refunded from thouland prees thro'-
out all civilized countries Princes or whole vii!
there were no legal checks, thus found moral ref.
traint which the mof powerful of them cosld not
brave with ablolute immunity. They acted before
Wait audience, to whole spPlauie condemnation
they could not be utterly indifferent. The very
dtution OF human nature, the unaterable laws Of the
mi'id OF man, agauh which al rebellion is fitlefe,
iubjecled the proudeft tyrsns this controul. No
elevation ofpower, depravity, however corlum-
mate, innocence, however fpotlef can render maa
wholly independent of the prale blame Of his fel-
low men.
Iheie Governments were in oshsr refpeas Of
the moi beautiful and nterehing parts Of our anti
eat iylteR'. The perf-Gt fecurity of iuch ncoDde-
rable and feeble tates, their undurbed tranquility,
an'idf the and conquea. that furrounded them,
dtteited beyond any Other part ol the European fyf
tenn, the moderation, the Juice the civilization to
which Chritlian Europe had reached in modern
times. Their weakness was protected only by the
habitual reverence for juhice, which, during long
ferries of ages, had grown up in ChriRandom. This
was the only fertilization which defended them sganft
t1oie mighty monarchs to whom they offered 70 eafy
prey. And till the French revolution, this was
iucent. Conider, for inGance, the ituation Of the
republic Of Geneva think her defencelefs politi-
on IN the very jaws Of France; but think alto of her
undiiturbed lecurity, of her profound quiet, of the
brilliant iucceis with which he applied to nduftry
| and literature, while Louis XIV. pouring his
myriaas into Italy before her gates; call TO mind, if
ages crowded into years have not eGsced them from
| your memory, that happy period when Gcarcely
dreamt more OF the iubugation OF the feeble repub
lie OF Europe, than Of the conqueh Of her mightief
empire aud tell ME If you imagine fPs6tacle
more beautiful to the moral eye,or more 1riking
proof Of progresi the nebleR principles Of true
| vilization.
Thefe feeble Rates, thefe monuments Of the jufiice
Of Europe the afyunI Of peace Of ndury, OF litera.
urc ths organs Of public rcaon, the refuge Of OPP
preRed innocence and perfccuted truth, have perrin
| guardians ard protectors They have been fwalow-
the utiermoR corners Of the earth. They ate def
trojed ano gone for ever.
one afJlpn offree difcpGion IS nill iuvoIle There
IS llill one frot in Europe where freely ex-
ereifc ais eaton the moi important concerns OF
Gr,iti) " hare he boldly pub!if his judgment on
! te ais Of the rroudea and moA powerful tyrAnts
The prefs of England IS ell free IL is guarded by
tie zee crHh,rtoa of Que iOrclsihers IL is guard
od By the hearts and arms Of RnEhhmen, and truf
may venture fay hat II IL be to TALL, it viii fall
only uular ti,r runs Of ths Bridh Empire.
II IS an awful confederation, Gentlemen. Every
ether monument OF European liberty has perifhed.--
That ancient fabric which has bCea gradually reared
by she wifdorl and virtue of ferelathcrs nil
fapds--It Aands thanks be 10 God fold aud cutir
i but it Bands alone, and it sands amidR ruins.