American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-08-19

was the FIRST in being An individual ieil 10 nlmsei
il weak and inefficient, unabie to procure those
wants, which arc calculated 10 render MIN happy,
and utterly unable TO protect himself from the ae
predations and righteousness OF an vi ceslsning
neighbor. The father OF family therefore, hrst
acted in the capacity OF supreme magistrate and
law maker: and as families increased and m,ermar
ried with each oher an snon OF interest and senii'
ment would necessarily take place. Some one
would then be,choscn chief ruler either on account
of his age, or superior attainments, or oo'n' IN
this way as society still enlarged, separate nations
and governments arose TO state similar 10 the pre-
sent 1t is unnecessary for me to be particular IN
pointing cut the several stages by which society ar
rived to complete and perfect consumma'ion
You will be able, with little reflection, from what
have suggested, to form full and correct idea Of
the gradual progress and advancement OF society 10
Its present state OF maturity
The ancient and modern political writers allow
only three regular and distinct forms OF government,
wiz. Monarchy, Aristocracy and Democracy. Every
existDg government 10 either established on one oil
THESE original forms or on an union OF lhem as The
peculiar genius, knowledge ard disposition oil large
lboty Of people may require.
| Each OF The above mentioned original forms has
its peculiar advantages and disadvantages which /
think proper to lay before you on this OCCASION Tor
the benefit OF those who may not have read or re-
and careful investigation of the principles upon
which all governments and our own in particular,
are founded.
A monarchy is certainly the most powerful and
energetic, calculated to promote qulchness and des
patch, but we cannot safely conGde in the integrity
and disnerestedness OF any one individual, raised
to such distinguished eminence. An ars,ocracy is
Iby far the best calculated for wisdom and consisten
Icy in its deliberations being Intentionally composed
e 81 1ftts
But there is great danger Of dishonesty and want OF
Observation-Disclosures neither has it the strength and
despatch of monarchy.
democracy appears on superficial examination
70 be the most equitable form OF government, and
best calculated 10 promote peace and harmony.
And II certainly would be, were it not for the weak
and highly corrupted state OF human nature. A
particular disadvantage OF democracy, in its puresl
state, 49, the delay and ineciency OF its operations,
and the almost entire ignorance which most men
have respecting the real design and nature Of 60
|vernment. The governments Of Athens and Spar
ia, approached the nearest of any to an uncom
pounded democracy; but they fell by their own
weight; an exemplary warning TO all succeeding le
gislators.
Alter having knowledge of the three distinct
forms of government we able to analyse our
own, and 10 discover the wisdom of our immortal
ancestors in lis formation. Our forefaihers being
mostly Of English origin, would be deeply impress
ed with the nature, and superiority OF English go
yernment and freedom, to any European power.
And at the American revolution which was occa-
stoned by the unjust and cruel measures Of such
men as Lord North, would be led to frame consti-
tuition upon the model of their mother country ;
making at the same time such alterations and i'm
provements, as might be thought necessary
Upon examination we find that our government
Is union of the three distinct original forms.
The president may be said to be invested with
monarchlcal power although in our free and excel
lent constitution, there is properly a very small
Vestge of monarchy remaining. The senate com
poses the arlstocraey being selected from among
the people on account OF their superior talents and
requirements. And here think it proper to re-
mark the great importance of selecting men oil in
tegry and competent knowledge to fill this digni-
lied and responsible station The lower house or
as we emphatically term it, the house Of represen-
tAtlves, is the democratic part of our constitution.
From this abstract review OF the FIRST PRINCIPLES
oil government, and oil the peculiar advantages and
disadvantages OF each separately considered we can
duly appreciate the proprety and necessity of
uniting them; so that each may be check upon
the usurpations and foibles Of the other.
Happy people indeed free from the expressions
oil an enrsged lyrant, and from the designing artiE.
ees OF hereditary nobility. o., heroes OF the re-
vouon, men OF renown O, illustrious Washing
ton, forbid that we, who quietly reap the fruit Of
your labors, should impiously sink into stupidity
tina, we should even forget that we are free forget
the almost sacred personages that abored bled and
died Tor our precious liberties Awake, gentlemen,
seriously reflect upon our unparalleled situation
upon our enviable Distinction and upon the rapidly
by which we have arisen to our present grandeur
and opulence.
Citizens of Laurel and Of its yicinty--T take 81
Tor granted that you wish prosperity to your coun-
try; that yon highly prize its constitution that you
detest tyrant, and that ou had rather die free than
I've slave Act then, bescech you, with perfect
consistency decentIy aud viruousiy assist and com
tribute your influence in concentrating an era.