Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-07-25
FROM rHE TRUE AMERICAN.
RAMSAY'S ADVICE.

L
| The following is the Concluding part OF DR..
| KAMsAY's History of the American Revoln-
ton The excellent advice it contains. OUGHT
to DC imprinted on every memory, and i'm
pressed on every mind
Citizens of the United States You have
well balanced constitution, established by
general conscrt, which is an improvement on
all republican forms of government hereto-
fore established. Ii possesses the g1cd qua
lities of monarchy, but without its vices--thc
wisdom and stability of an ar:stccracv, but
without the iisolence of hereditary masters
the freedom and independence of popu-
lar assembly, acquainted with the wants end
wishes OF the people, but without the capaci-
ty OF doing those mischiefs which results from
Uncontrolled power in one assembly. The
end and object of it is public good If yor
are not happy, it will be your own fault. No
knapc. or fool can plead an hereditary right
to sport with your property or your liberties
Your laws and your law givers must all pro-
coed from yourselves. You have the cxperi-
ence of nearly six thousand years, to point
out the rocks on which former republics have
been dashed to pieces. Learn wisdom from
sl;e.r misfortunes. Cultivate justice, both pub
lie and private. No government will or can
endure. which doesnot protect the rights of
It's SUBJECTS Unless such efficient REGULATE
ons are adopted, as will secure property as
well as liberty, one revolution will follow a.
mother. Anarchy, monarchy or despotism,
viii be The consequence. BY Just laws, and
the faithful execution of them, public and
private credit will be restored, and the res
toration of credit will be mine ofwealth 20
this young country. 1t VIII make a fund for
agriculture, commerce and manufactures,
which viii soon enable the United States to
claim an exalted rank among the nations of
the Garth. Such are the resources of your.
country; and so trifing are your debts, com
pared with your resources, that proper sys-
TENS, wisely planned and faithfully executed,
viii soon fill your extensive territory with in
habitants, and give you the command of such
ample capitals, as will enable you to run the
career of national greatness, with advanta-
ges equal to the oldest Kingdoms of Europe.
What they have been slowly growing to, in
the course of near two thousand years, you
may hope to equal within one century. If
you continue under one government, built on
the solid foundations of public justice, and pub
| lie virtue, there is no point of national great
ness to which you may not aspire with 4 we'll
| founded hope of speedily attaining it. Che
| rish and support reverence for government
and cultivate union between the east and the
| south, the Atlantic and the Mississippi Let
the greatest good of the greatest number be
the pole star of your public and private de-
hberations. Shun wars; they begetdebt, add
| to the common vices of mankind, and pro-
4 duce others, which are almost peculiar to
! themselves. Agriculture, manufactures and
commerce, are your proper business, Seek
not to enlarge your territory by conquest. u
is already sufficiently extensive. Yo,, have
ample scope for the employment Of your most
active minds, in promoting your own domes-
tic happiness. Maintain your own rights.
and let allothers remain in quiet possession of
| theirs. Avoid discord, faction, luxury and
| the other vices which have been the bane of
commonwealth. Cherish and reward the
philosophers, the statesmen, and the patri-
OTIS, who devote their talents and time, at the
expense of their private interests, to the toll
of enlightening and directing their fellew-ci.
tizcns; and thereby rescue citizens and ru-
lers of republics, from the common and too
often nerited charge Of ingratitude Prac-
tee industry, frugality, temperance, modera-
ton, and the whole lovely train ofrepublicar
virtues. Danish from your borders the liquid
fire OF the Wcst-Indies, which, while it en-
tails poverty and disease, prevents industry
and foments private quarrels. Venerate the
plough, the hoe, and all the implements O
agriculture. Honor the men who with then
own hands maintain their families, and raise
up children who are Injured to toll, and capa
BILE of defending their country. Reckon tn,
necessity of labor, not among the curses, blu
the blessings of life. Your towns will proba
bly, ere long be engulphedin luxury and effe
minacy. If your liberties and future pros
poets depended on them, your career Of lib
erty would probably be short but a grea
majority of your country must and will b.
yeomanry, whohaveno otherdependence thai
| on Almighty God, for his usual blessings o
their daily labor From the great excess O
the number of such independent farmers il
these states, over and above all other classe
of inhabitants, the long continuance Of you
, liberties may be reasonably presumed.
{" Let the hapless African sleep undistur
bed ON his native shore; and give over wish
ing for the determination of the ancient pro
prietors Of this land. Universal justice is uni
) yersal interest. The most enlarged happi
: ness Of one people by no means requires tn
: degradation or destruction OF another
would be more glorious TO civilize one trib
Of savages, than to eXteruinate or expcl
score. There is territory enough for ther
and foisyou. Instead ofinvading their right
promote their happiness, and give them r
reason 10 curse the follyof theirfathers, VIII
: suffered yours to sit down on a soil which th
;, common Parent of us both had previously al
d signed to them but, above all, be particr
i larry careful that your own descendants d
y not degenerate into savages. Diifuse III
y | means of education, and particularly of rel
{, gious instruction, through your remotcst Sc
+ Elements. To this end, support and strength
= en- tie hands Of public teachers, and espec
i ally Of worthy clcrgymcn. your yolunt;
~ contributions confu!e the dishonorable p,
sition, that religion connot be Supported bl
!. by compulsory establishments. Remembt