The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-08-17
Reflections on ScpGrq!iyR-No. 3,

fANJ NNN'NN''" - 'fN'r'f NV ~
THERE is something terrific TO The ina
snatlons of many in the idea of forming .
new state. Itseems like putting 10 ses, in
an open boat without chart or compass, ex-
posed 10 all the violence Of the elements
and left entirely at the mercy Of the wind,
tie short Of second chaos and presents Z
perfect image OF The most absolute and IN
controula5le anarchy or what is ten times
worse,a picture ofthe most unqualified and
desperate democracy.
When our forefathers, after experiencing
the hardships Of tedious and tempestuous
voyage at an inclement season of the year,
first arrived 90 the coast of the old colo
ny, they found no difficulty in agreeing up
on an instrument for The regulation of The
ffairs&government Of the members Of their
little association. This is acknowledged TO
be one of the first instances of the original
formation OF a political compact, that occurs
in history. America has had the honour
of presenting this example 90 Europe and
she has since made considerable use OF her
own pattern. The voluntary original con
tract entered into bv the company on board
the May-Flower. b. fore their landing, may
be considered the type of our several state
constitutions, and regarded as the miniature
OF the constitution ofthe United States.
There is no novelty in cur present stu
alton to intimidate US Twas once. 10 be
sure, rather an unheard-of thing for state
or nationto be born ina day But The his
tory Of our own country has rendered it. il
not familiar, a, least no extraordinary oc-
currence. The declaration Of Indepen-
dencs was a phenomenon of this kind =
the grsndest, that the world ever Witnessed
By this bold and energetic act thirteen sep
arate provinces and colonies Of a foreign
power threw off their allegiance with one
simultaneous effort, and erected themselves
into an alliance Of distinct and independent
sovereienlies. Their very confederation
itself under these unusual circumstances.
though a measure originating in the exter-
nal pressure operating upon them all equal
", was ar occurrence, The. most remsrka-
bic kind
The formation Of new states. within the
territorial limits of the union under the aus
pices OF tie federal constitution is pro-
cess that has been successively repeated.
until the original member Of the United
States has been aearly doubled. The IN
folding capacities and dila,ing necessities
ofthe country have demanded this exten
sion Of the federal principle and expansion
Of the political system. No impedimenis
Of importance have arisen to embsrrass the
operation and no injurious consequences
occurred to demonstrate its inexpediencv.
II has been attended with no essential dis
advantages 10 the fundamental principles Of
our union; inteiferes with none Of the sp-
propriate concerns of the original states !;
and is proved by experience to Be beneficial
in its Effects to the particular interests Of
the individual sections, over which these
additional systems are established.
In casting off their dependence upon
GFeat Britain the colonies had simply to
provide for themselves respectively q new
political organization. Their civil and mu-
nicipal arrangements were already in good
order and required little alteration or &C
commodation. The mere machinery OF
government only waste be fabricated This
was undoubtedly very great advantage.