Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-05-17

gree to report it? My answer must be
coniectural: That the other members OF
the committee perceiving the chairman's
fondness for his draught, consented 70 have
it reported; relying on the necessary a
mendments in congress and perhaps IN
tending to suggest TO SONS OF their friends
to move for such as they deemed c4pedrcnt.
Be this, however, as it may, the large al
terations and amendments above men
toned were actually made. In fact, the
materials of which a declaration OF indePen-
dencs, might be composed were so abun-
dant, the talent most requisite IN the com
biier, would be that Just Discrimination,
a correct judgment, to reject minor con-
siderations, and avoid drawing out 10 too
great length such as were important; IN
order to present to the world with dignity
and force, that great national act. And
when we recollect the number OF men emil.
nently distinguished for talents, who were
then memoers of congress. and know that
so large portion of MIR. Jeferson's draught
was Topped off, expunsed, altered and a.
mended-the conclusion IS, that the draught
was sufficiently marked with imperfectlons.
Bur in the parts retained, what new ideas
are 10 be found? The natural and social
tights of man displayed by eminent Eng
ish authors, with whose writings the lead
ing men of the day were conversant, and
the rights of the colonists as Englishmen
and to maintain the latter, violated by the
government of the parent state, was the
sole cause and object of the revolution)-
all these rights, say, and their infringe
ments had been, for years, the subjects OF
conversation, of discussion in news papers
and pamphlets, aud pre-eminendy ia the
general congresses of 1874 and 1775; as IS
manifested in their various resolutions, de-
clarations, and eloquent letters and adj
dresses. SO that Gas above suggcsted)
the chief task of the compiler of the decla
ration of independence would consist, in
making, from these ample materials, ju-.
dicious and digni6ed selection.
The celebrated Mr.. Locke, had long
before, taught his countrymen, in England
and hsr colonies, what were their rights as
men and subjects: that every just govern
meut was fou nded on the consent OF the 60.
verned: that when the latter, instead OF
protection in their rights. experienced OPP
preston from their government, they had
right to resist, to change its form, and
introduce new one. And to the obiec-
ton, that this principle would produce mis-
chief as often as turbulent spiris should
desire the alteration of the government
Mr.. Locke answers Till the mischief be
grown general, and the i'll designs of the
rulers become visible, or their attempts
sensible to the greater part-the people who
are more disposed to suffer than right then-
selves by resistance, are not apt to stir. p
And Mr.. Jefferson, in the declaration Of
independence, copying Mr.. Locke's prin.
ciples and ideas, says, in the like case, that
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that go
vernments long established, should not be
changed for light and transient causes; and
accordingly, allexperience has shewn, that
mankind are more disposed to suffer, while
evils are suif rable, than to right them
selves b, abollshiug the forms to which they
are accuetomed."
Mr.. Jefferson has never forgotten this
idea, of the patient endurance which ns-
tion will submit to oppression, even from a
government not 6 long established )" or he
would not have ventured on the daring ex.
pertinent of an unlimited embargo, and o.
ther similar oppressive and rrinous mea-
sures. But he had also learned with what
facility nation might be deceived. And
SO conformable was Mr.. Jeffrrsons's prac.
tice to this idea, il was manifested in SO
many of his acts, that deception may be con-
sidered as the operative principle of his adj
ministTation.
TIMOTHY PICKERING.
April 27, 1911.