Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1816-01-16
such information, as will

I ,orm the duties OF ciizsns, in free govern
ment, with ateadiness and discretion
| From the ease with whlch new regula'
! tons may he introduced, perhaps we are in
| danger Of treating the ancient forms and
osages OF the State with too little respect.
he people, generally, have peculiar at
tachmeut 10 those laws and customs which
have been long established, aud conform 10
them more from habitual regard, than
through Fer o, pun sament. Unnecessary
add ions TO their number, or frequent al
tefatous, would diminish their authority,
and lay foundation for multitude OF litlg-
lous suits-W hiIe therefore, we encourage
spirit of genuine improvement, lei US do
justice To The usages which We and our fa;h-
ers, have spptosed, and guard against a
temper OF unceasing innovation let us
cherish those principles OF government,
and those sy stems OF education, shich have
been derived TO us from our ancestors; and
especially The institutions which. have ten
dency to preserve il the minds of the peo-
pie, tha, reverence for the Deity, without
which, neither pablc nor private virtue can
suJsst, nor tie weliae Of community be
secured
A state of peace is highly favourable to
he improve nent and prosperity oil the peo-
pie, and affords the best security for the
continuance OF freedom. Our remote situ-
alton from Europe, nigh, lead us to expect,
thatwe should seldom De in danger of foreign
War but such expectations may prove de-
luslve In every country, some persons
Will be found, OF restless temper, who are
always dissatisfied with state OF tranquil
,y; and there are many, who eagerly wish
for a share in those numerous and lucrative
offices and contracts, which appcftain to
state Of war. These men may employ
themselves in attempts to excite annimos
ty in the minds Of The people, against ma
lions with whom we are at peace, and
whose friendship is bent fetal. Indeed,
when the country is eng ged in war, there
may be some apology Tor adopting, in our
publications, the language oil boastins and
irritation, with view to recommend the
measures OF the government. But when
war is at an end, If we persist in personal
resentment, and endeavour to perpeIuate
spirit of enmity against people for whom
our government profess friendship, we
manifest depraved and ma,evolsnt temper:
such conduct Cannot proceed from any hon
durable motive ;--it is equally unjust and
impoliic, and can only tend to transmi, our
odious passions TO future times, and entail
upon our children implacable hatred, and
never ending hostility.
But there may be danger Of war from
higher source. In almost every govern
mens, there is party, even in the public !
councils who wish TO signalize their term
of office by some splended action, or Some
acquisition OF territory however useles it |
may be; {; they ore anxious TO provide for
their numerous friends and dependents, by !
public Offices, and au gmen ing
he patronage OF the government and they
are Wiling 10 extend It's powers which are
always enla,g~d in stale of war, in pro.
portion as the public taxes, ard the number
oil standing troops are increased Besides,
governments, strengthened by a large mill
iary losct, are then oiten.tempted 10 assume
powers, which are wholly inconsistent with
civil liberty. The people may also be inyol-
'~d IN ioI.ign Wars, 10 suspend disputes or
"NANh StA Y az VI W Pio-
molethe success OF Que 2oll.icas pal,yagains.
The other; or perhaps, from the mere i'm
pulse OF prejudice or passion. Bu,when war
spirit predomlnates, from whatever aus {,
there will soon be found some occasion for
hos'lilies.--E -Evenls frequently happen in
the in escourse of nations, which furnish
speoious pretence for designing men, to ex-
cite the passions of the people and dispose
them 10 rupture. They may affect grea,
zeal ior the inleres: Of their own county,
and proportional indignation agains, those
powers, whose measures are supposed TO
obstruct it. In such cases, it will be hard |
ly possible to avoid war, if at the same time,
the people are falle,ed with an ostenta,ious |
display o! their resources, and hear nothing
but what tends to excite their vanity, or in
fame their rt tsentment.
In the motives for making war, self in-
,erest has often controlling influence un.
der the pretence ofregard to national hen
our, rulers are too iequeutly inclined to
discover supposed insults and injuries
where none we,c intended Instead oi
listening patiently 10 arguments in favour
OF peace, Or rehecting now greatly they