Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-09-06


Gates go {? Into what region ofcivilized man
Will it be found in the annals of arisrocra-
cy or monarchy, either ancient or modern,
that the most wise and virtuous have always
ruled, and still do rule |! That in such GO
vernnents, merit and abilities have been al
was preferred ] scarcely ihink it can. Yet
If sc examine into the history of past ages,
and present times, we shall easily discover
that almost all the great achievements, and
wise discoveries, which reflect 81 much ho-
nor and glory on the character of man, orr
giuated and were brought to perfection, in
the spirit of liberty. Nor is it easy to con-
ceive how it could be otherwise. For how
can a slave aspire to acts OF glory, wisdom
and renow., under the ahject state in which
he breathes! Before he can be brought to
such standard as liberty and law can place
him on, must he not break asunder his chains
and stand erect like hisGod!
1t is very true that under a despotIsm,
men have been taught, mechanically, to
perform considerable acts of bravery, and
often, by a mistaken zeal, arising from
profound state OF ignorance, have followed
some Cesar or Alexander, in the perpetra-
ticn of acts, both sangulnary and venal, and
yet have been signalised as great, because
they were crowned with success, and by
thus blindly following a leader, in hopes of
some change in their condition OF life for
the better, have, at length, more strongly
riveted their own chains for long series
of time, till the spirit OF liberty is at last
reused by severe oppression and then what
comparison is there between the contend
ING parties , Under this divine spirit, we
find Leonidas bleeding at the Sire hts OF
Thermopoy Under the intluenf c, of the
love of country, we read of AristIdes. and
Themistocles laying aside their severest ha-
tired and animosity, and consulting and u
hitting for their country's safety when inva-
ded by powerful, inexorable and vindic-
tive foe, whom they vanquished. Thus you
perceive, that with the love of country, and
the true spirit of liberty, nothing Is too ar
Guous for man to accomplish. But 70 attain
so exalted station as human nature is ca
pable OF enjoying, those who are entrusted
with the management of public alftr's,
should pursue all proper methods, by right
education and discipline of our citizens, and
due execution of the law, to cause justice
and wisdom TO flourish among US flt is
the eduty of prudent mag strates, said Iso..
s'crates. not to, multiply laws, but to teach
"amons the citizeus, the love of justice" -
sentiment which ought to he engraven on
the hear: of every one, and written on the
tabies of our laws, in letters of gold !; for
sure ,.m, that no government can lnug ex-
ist without it, for where justice and b ne.
Violence cRG, there will discord coMDence.
a right edccdtion, therefore, in morals and
principles, every one acknowledges the ne
Cessgty CT, to make people happy and'free !;
vet how truly TO be larcented, that it is SO
much neglected ia this state. I Cannot,
however, forbcar tropiag. f2at' my country
will soon see this subject i'll 2 more favora-
Die iybnt, and supply the means Tor establish
ing co (esics5sc an end
= FtaiH Gs y0ssf- Gl,drena ~ st.,e wav they
q should walls, an2 Iiey wnhot, Depart from
&c & when they grow oid."--ApPiy tilis wise
-rnaSinl b. our political situation
Teach yous fellow citizens TO revere their
neighbor's rights, 30 love them as themselves,
TO 20 as they would &c d0ne by, and not To love
themselves exclusively and under such a sys-
tern cf morals, what would induce any one to
injure his Ee,ghbor or violate his country's
laws Would he Tot rather be inclined TO heal
the wounds Of misfortune, IN feel another's woe,
to soften down his djstresses, and beguiIe all
his suGermgs.-T noble aud sublime pr n
cipits ought To he the foundations Of all govern
merits, nor ought any to be Of any obligation
without them But wise and virtuous Us this
aystem may be, nothing good can flow from il
unless it is also wisely and honestly executed
Nor is it sufficient that our laws should be
the best suited to our constitution, unless eve-
~ CtAiSShS Ot<lHSniS uplAlS ii'iii-
self bound by them, and no. to set himself up
a judge how far he is to obey them.--Nu
wise and good man will ever assume the privi-
lcge Of subyerting the laws, and then 70 clam
the right to judge in such casc.-lf Caliguia
or Nero had been subject To no other Judgment
than their own, how easily cauld they have sdb.
verted the liberties OF their codntry.
There can he no doubt but that man is capa-
bic Of attaining great degree OF happiness ,in-
der well constituted and regulated republic.
All the able writer's on governments prove il
by arguments as irresistibe as tiie rays oflight,
and by comparison of governments one with
another OF the ancients are Plato, Aristotle,
Polybus. Cicero, and many others Of tilis OPT
Mon, K ofthe moderns are Locke, Harrington,
Sidney. and others, whose names reflect no
nor on the charactt of man, so long as virtue
wisdom, and philosophy, shall be Held III es-
TEEN among them.
well formed government includes virtue.
snd the path ofhonor ard virtue in u It's Ire
horn Of Amlthca The horn ofplenty and e.
hcity--And that government is best WHICH Is
capable of the best administration, and mos;
sfcciually guards against corruption
Good orders and pure examples make good
citizens. Here the fruits Of social life grow up
and flourish. Here the laws direct and impel
10 their proper end and reason virtue and an.
thority will have their highest vgor aud syien-
dor Gle therefore who wishes to be as hap
py his nature is capable Of, should al hs lie
live in free republic, we'll organized and re-
gtlatcd-and should constantly yield his porti-
nm Of ec~gicos tc tI,o affe;,tnc,t r. dis 81