Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-04-02


slant opportunities of mixing will
the we'll informed, received instruc
ton upon the nature Of their politIca
relations, from the best source. II
these states an unlimited sway was
allowed to the popular will. The We
nv prevailing doctrine that the constl
tuition has right to demand the strict
est obedience to, his instructions, gives
to the voice of our citizens however
different their situations, a power
not less extensive. Constituents re-
siding many hundred miles in the in
terror, whose educations As usual
have been wrctchcdly detective, and
whose occupations have nevcrrcnder'
ed necessary an acquaintance with
the affairs of foreign commerce, may
choose to send their representatives
their mandates upon this delicate sub
.iect.; To these orders he must yield
obedience, although his superior
means of information teaches him
that they are inconsistent with the
safety Of that government which he
had soIemnIy bound himself to sup
port. Such a case might very proba-
bly, occur, and it must be allowed.
that it gives to ignorance a power
fraught with danger. But under any
construction of our constitution, the
people have a large share Of power ;
and the object of my feeble efforts IS
to point ont the Importance ofimpart-
ing to them the knowledge. which will
ensure tsproper use of tutoring them
in the skilirlI management Of the
weapon with which they have been
DO not our legislators feel
themselves obliged by the same oath
that they pledged to support the con-
stitutIon, to afford those from whom
it receives its sanction, and who
should he its most watohful guardians,
every means of becoming acquainted
with its spirit. and of Judging Of the
OF lis administration /?
Those who contend for the strictncss
of military discipline in this affair of
representation, are doubly bound
fro n the very direct Gnd powerful in
Aucncc of their creed and they GER
tainly do not perform the part OF
faithful soldiers. unless they give t.
the superior officers, the fullest in
formation, upon which to fnund his
orders. 1t is by extending the inhu-
ence of virtue and wisdom that we
shall ensure the duration and improve
ment of our republican system, which
is raised as superstructurc upon
those principles. A great and mag
design SO to enlighten and pa
rify the minds of a people that they
may be enamoured Of the plan which
secures their bappiness-worthy Of
its illustrious patron. In what man
ner more pleasing to his august spirit,
shall We discover our gratitude than
in preserving and perfecting ibis con-
Nitution, the object Of his fondest so.
licitadc,-the fairest mementO of hisl
greatness? Let rs use every effort
that this splendid eFifce may be raised
to its utmost summit-that it may c.
ven resemble in its grandeur, the mo-
ofEgypt's pride, and prove
10. distant ages a noble testimony OF
the merits Gifts great, architect.
What schemes for adjoining his,
country were there, which did not
thrive under his protection? When
in retirement on his farm, loaded
with the honors of his military and
political life, we. find his labours still
tend to the public good. The internal
Improvement 81 his native state was I'M
extreme backwardness, though a.
bounding in every variety of soil, and
watcred by streams that might dis
tribute her produce to every cline,
her state of agriculture was not calcu-
lated to draw forth thc full harvest OF
wealth. and her navigation was i'm
peded by the slightest distractions
lie directed the attention OF his fell
low citizens to these subjects. and in-'
teea his liberal and active genius,
seems TO have communicated it's happy
spirit to the Legislature Of that state.
The important business of ditinsins,
Inc benefits of education among the
people engages their attention. and
must flourish under such able patron.
age. The wisdom of the government.
is now anticipating the wishes of
its citizens by forwarding plans for
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