Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-06-15

only notice further, among the civil
provisions of the constitution for the pre-
ervation of fife, liberty property and
character, trials by jury and the inde-
lpendence of the judges of the supreme
judicial court. These provisions were
|ardained by the people, and they operate
flor, and are essential to their safety
What otherwise could protect the weak
lfrom the powerful, the poor from the opul-
| lent, the simple and uniformed, from the
crafty and intelligents This branch OF
1.-THE social compact constitutes one OF its
fmOst precious attributes.-An indepen-
dent judiciary not only directly guaran-
ltees an impartial Interpretation and ad-
|ministration of the laws, tut has most
auspicions though remote influence upon
science and literature, upon character
and embellishments OF taste, and mo c
Especially upon the science of julispru.
Idence. Ehe desire OF wealth the love Of
lame, the hope Of distinction, and every
mot.ye that can operate upon an inee-
nuous mind, and give elasticity and force
to The human faculties, conspire to en-
sure to the people succession Of learn
led jurists.
| It is foreign to my intention, as ii
would be to the occasion, to attempt an
analysis Of the constitution. But such
provisions Of that instrument as are VI
italy important to the public happiness
cannot DC too frequently brought to view
and impressed upon the public mind.
| A knowledge of the value of FIRST prin
ciples ought to be eultivated.--Avarice
land ambition wage eternal war with
equal rights and public liberty. This
was the doctrine OF our fathers. founded
lin the nature of man it is the doctrine
of the constitution, illustrated by the un.
lequiyocal testimony OF experience.
Virtue is the great conservative 0frc.
Ipubics; and coincident with the other
profound views developed in the con
stitution, and as auxiliary to their attain
ment. that instrument assign. an elevat-
ed rank to moral and religious princi.
ples. The happiness # the people, the
coed order and preservation of civil 60
vernment. are declared essentially to de-
PEND on piety, religion and morality and
wisdom and knowledge, as well is virtue
are considered as necessary for tl,e pre-
scryation Of the rights and Liberties of the
people. To give the fullest eifecl tc
those principles, the constitution makes
it the duty Of Legislators and Magistrate
lin all future periods Of tbs Common
wealth to cherish the interests OF iitera-
ture and the sciences, and all seminslics
Of them to encourage private societies
ard r;ublio institutions, rewards nd I'M
imunities for the promotion Of agriculture
arts. sciences, commerce. trades and
manufactures, to countenance and incul-
cate the principles Of humanity and be-
Inevolence. public and rivate charity. in,
dustry 4 frugality, honesty 4 punetua'ity
in their dealings. sincerity. good humor,
! and all social affections and generous SEN
timents among the people.
To what extent the Legislature has
iron time to time fulfilled these benevo-
lent injunctions your journals and statute
books can honofably attest. The esfab-
Iiishment of numerous public institutions,
to coun,enance the principles Of piety.
charity 4 benevolence. for the encourage
Iment of literature and the sciences, OF
agriculture end the hechanic arts,
eyinces a copious TRANSMISSION Of the same
enlightened spirit in our legislatures.
that originated and perfected the con
stitution. And the various aids in mo-
new. in lands, ard in valuable immuni-
lties which have been granted from time
TO time to the University at Cambridge:
the Colleges at Williamson and Bruins
|w,ck, and The numerous academies and
other literary and scisntifc institutions,
Ibear honorable testimony to the fidelity
with which the constitution has been ad-
ministered.
In framing our constitution. provision
Twas wisely made for transferring larger
portion Of sovereignty to the U. States.
Than lad been conferred BY the confe.
liberation, and the ruinous effects Aowins
from the impotence Of merely fedora.
tive compact, soon imperiously eSacted
la fulfIment OF that proyision.--ln the
mean time, commerce and credit, both
Public and private, were nearly extinct
agriculture, trade and manufactures Ian
guished; ard the whole country, that hat
recently and ilustriously effected Their
independence after long and distressing
war. was overwhelmed with anarchy and
Iluin.--At length, a new frame oil govern.
ment was announced, and atterlong and
vigorous discussion in the several states:
,,ac bonr;iU a,lootp.1