The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-08-18
POLITICAL.
AMERICAN PRINCIPLES.
s::;;:::::.
A REVIEW Of
voRKSsOT FISHER A5fESi
COMPLIED ny NuMpEn OF HIS FRIENDS
BY JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
AMERICAN PRINCIPLES.

No. w. ta
Subscrvency u Adherence Of
France--and Contempt for the American people.
Such are the three foundation stones, upon which
the political system of Mr.. Ames. in his last days
was erected. This political system has become
the predomnating policy of the petty majority in
the Legislature of this Commonwealth. It is
Gpon this basis, that their principal measures of
the last year have arisen. 1t is believed that
large proportion of that small majority, have been
reluctantly drawn into the current Of this fatal
vortex 1t is hoped that an exposure of these
principles, in their naked deformity, demon
stration of their perncious tendency to the peace
and liberties of this nation, and disclosure of
the volume, and the proceedings of the party,
will not be without its use to the people of the
Commonwealth and of the Union.
For this purpose, some extracts from this pub
Gcationhave been given in forner papers. And
as partial quotations of single sentences are not
of themselves sufficient foundation from which
che principles OF writer can be inferred, view
has also been taken of the general character and
tendency of those writings of Mr.. Ames, which
are now published for the first time. The anti
republican prejudices which originated in his ex-
cessive admiration of Britain, and his extreme
contempt for our country, were exhibited in the
survey taken in my last paper, Of his projected
work, which his editors have chosen 10 entitle
90 The Bdsgers Of american Liberty."
A natural consequence of the mean estimation
III which he held the whole people of America
was the jealousy, and it is not too much to say
raneOur, with which he contemplated the people
of those parts of the Union not in our own i'm.
mediate neighborhood. ! propose in this paper,
TO present number of extracts from that same
treatise, indicating the temper of his sentiments
upon this subject, and to Suggest some observati-
ons upon them, Tor the consideration of my read
ers. H ..
l.. % The progress of party has given to Vyrgi-
mia apreponderance, that perhaps was not fore
seen. Certainly, since the late amendment in the
article for the choise of President and Vice Pre-
sident, there is no existing provision of any eff
cacy to counteract tip. 3S5.
9. IF states were neither able nor inclined
to obstluct the federal union much indeed might
be hoped from such confederation. But Ply
ginia, Pennsylvania and Nezp. FORK are of an ex-
tent sufficient to form potent monarches, and,
of course, are too po erful, well as too proud,
10 be subjects ofthe federal laws. Accordingly,
one of the first schemes of amendment, and the
most early executed, was to exempt them in
form from the obligations ofjust:ce."-b. 5S5
3. "IIere let Americans read their own his
tory. Here leteven YirSinia learn, how peri
loss and how fail will be the contamination OF
Ter Schemes. 387.
d. g The great state of Virginia has fomen-
ted a lcestious spirit among her neighbours
Z. SSS
S. "What shall we denomnate the oHsnychy
that sways the authority of VDginia PIP. 500
g. Virginia has never been more federalth than
1t was, when from Considerations of policy, and,
perhaps, in the hope of future success from its
intrigueS, it adopted the new constitution for ii
has never tessted from obstructing Its measures.
and urging every scheme that would reduce IL
back again to the imbecility of the old confede-
ration To the dismay of every true patriot, these
arts have at length fatally succeeded and o,ir
system ofgoyernmcnt now differs very little from
What it would have been if the impost proposed
By the old Congress had been granted, and the
new federal consultation had never been adopt
ed by the states"
7"The struggling settlements of the southern
part Of the Union, which now istle governing
part, have been formed by emigrants from almost
every nation of Europe. Safe in their solitutles
alike from the annoyance of enemies and of gov.
eminent, it is infinitely more probable, that thew
will sink into barbnrism than rise to the dignity
of national sentiment and character"
3. Are not the Wandering Tartars, or Indian
hunters, at least, as susceptible of patriotism as
these stragglsrs in our western forests, and inf
nitaiy foRder of glory 1t is difficult to conceive
of a country, which from the manner of it's set
Element, OF the manifest tendencies Gifts politics
is more destitute or more incapable of being in
spired with political virtue!"-p.414
In grouping together these sentiments, from a
heart liberated against our fellow citizens, be.
yond the borders of New-England, am pertor.
ming task still more ungracious than when COL
lecting the most striking testimonials Of the a,t.
thor's contempt for us all If it be true, that the
people in the different quarters of this union are
not sufficiently drawn together by the ties which
form the connections of common country-If II
be true, that they have in every great section Ger.
tain varieties or supposed oppositons Of interest
and many passions and prejudices, which, ALLEVIATE
them from each other. let me ask, what ought tr
be the principles, and the maxms, Of a genuine
American statesman Can there he any patriot.
ism, can there be any wisdom, can there be any
humanity, in apantul exertion Of intellect, to a.
waken every sleeping ember of Jealousy, to widen
every breach of separation to stiiien collness in
TO frost, to eXaspsrate indifference into rancour
NO, ii is to aggravate the very evil ct which we
complain. elimination and reproacl, are not the
natural Instruments of Cancellation. Unjust re-
proach inevitably calls forth and deserves resent
ment its natural offspring are hatred and re-
eeDge. Icsnnot waste words upon an argument
to prove that the first of human blessings TO this
country is Union. ] must take this for granted .
and then say, Legislators of America whether
assembled in the halls of Congress, or in the as
sembiies Of the individual States whether ex
ercising the magistracy delegated bv the people
and your constitutions, or that natural magistra
cy, which among a free and virluous people, is
the prerogatiYe of genius and virtue, delegated
by heaven, and operating by the influence Of your
writings and examples let it he your first study
TO draw together these elements which are too
loosely ssocated-Promote spirit Of conciiati.
0n--soften asperites-cberish good understan.
ding with your eglibors-exhbit to them con.
hdence in their integrity--an accommodating dis
position toward their interess--a cheerfuiness
IT. the support OF common burthens---, can
did acknowledgment Of participation in common
S.niOytuents--a troOd lumnr z, hauey,fors. ...-I