Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1808-05-19
Ess PIE us xzsDR11 D4ILr ND3ERaIsER R.


govern and directits operations. From what is
ever spring 1t be derived, whether from the
virtue Of the governed OF the power aroi ira.
rfye assumed and possessed By the governors,
os controlling the subject, there IS equatiy
nSsessaty in all a ccstain yigor, winch, per-
y.;diaa ana anirnating the whole body. gives
il HE for its own nouriahment and support,
and tor the discharge OF Us various necessary
to,,ctions. The principles OF this energy are
as diversified ana mnltitofm as the govern
menls themselves depending sometimes on
tie virtue OF the community, at Others on
the mutual ard Identical interests Of those
acknowledging its sway, and not nnfreQuently
steIigiap their wilole force, vlgor, and AMI
rn4tion, from power faFtuitonsly assumed and
af5isr4,ily, though vigorously, supported
20 the unioa OF the two hrst mentioned
p~iac.ples these states are indebted for their
politicai existence Situated as we were
prior 10 our Revclatioa, vast, unWleldy
appurtenAnce to the British empire; the
means Of defence and internal regulation but
feebly supplied by an inert and laaguld colo
Nal system, il would not have been astonish-
.iag haa -the ill-reguated machine, OF Itself
fallen to pieces, without the assistance OF ylo-
lent ana destructive shocks. But when, with
out the ability, the inclination to arbitrary
aud unwarrantablc attacks on the right OF the
subject was so apparent when, to the weak
ness OF the governments, its manifest made
oaabiiitv to lis proper and legitimate objects,
were added violent, unconstitutional, and IN.
nAtaral innovations, the spirit OF a yirtaous
Independence melted rs to arm IN preserya-
ton of our unalisnablc privileges, in prefer
ence 70 tame subsection to the violation OF
every protecting end beneficial law Inc
mutual Interests OF the states, all concerned
ia 0vetet Szy,44esot, all having either
experienced or being duly exposed to The
same arbitrary attacks, ieageed and consecl-s
ated the inhabitants of ayast tract OF country,
distinguished into various soils. climates, and
local situations. At the conclusion OF the
contest, virtae guided us to republican go
yernment. We considered ourselves as tree
and equal all had exerted themselves III as
sertinss the freedom of their country, and at
tine when worth was the recommendation
TO notice and appreciation, the distinctions OF
birth and fortune held bat a secondary place.
A Republican form of connection and combs
nation was here natural, Indispensable and
il, and to the strength of those ties must he
owing It's lasting continuance and stability.
Ia how great a degree those principles IN
iluence and actuate us at present, VIII be
enqn;red into hereafter. At present wish
to premise, that my observations do not IN
any degree tend to inveigh against and lnval-
date the wisdom and political sagacity of the
founders of our constitution and government.
AS far as perfection can advance IN man, and
as far as extends the ken OF mortal judgement
and comprehension, the authors OF the system
of government undee which we dwell, were
perfectly and comprehen>iyely acquainted
with the biect and design of political regnla-
tions, with regard to the social order and
happiness Of man were endowed with Judge
ment in selecting and ordering the means OF
producing the desired end, and have left Us a
monument Of human skill, ingenuity, and
judgement. Like Scion, OF Athens, they
have given US laws, not III themselves per-
feet. but as complete, eEeetual and salutary
as the nature OF cur situation would admit ;
and the form CT government at present SUD
sisting is the only one that could have then
been established with propriety and by the
1niyersl suffrage OF the states composing
the contederacy. To have attempted the
erection of monarchy, attended with all It's
necessary gradatipns of, rank and situations
would at that iuncturc nave sbeen Preposterous
in the extreme this can only be the work or
time.to be perfected only oy series OF years,
in gradual and slow progressive advancement.
Without a graduation OF ranks, monarchy d.
generates into despotism and to have estab-
lished such grada,ion, after a contest which
had made all, in their own warm phantasies>
free and equal, would have been shocking to
the feelings OF the people universally. An
sYistocraey was liable to the same objections,
aiel was incompatible with the vast extent OF
ss5a federate states. Sach are the considera-