The central gazette. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1820-1827, 1825-01-22

fords the best lessons 10 teach man "the /
kno wlcdge Of rational sht," and the primci |
pies and practice of good government
But while he admits our past and prcscn,
good government, under our present consdtu.
ton, and ascribts it exclusively to the virtu-
Gus and enlightened char ac,er Of our people,
he looks forward, with fearful apprehension.
to the time when this virtue and wisdom will
no longer exist amongst us; aud to guard a
gainst the evils which must otherwise arise.
he recommends the call of convention to al.
ter our constitution i'm such q manner as To
give II ''that strength of proportion. which
will continue to sustain IL, when the shield Of
public virtue, and national integrity shall be
withdrawn"
But, alas Democritus; when that deplora
BILE period arrives, ''when the shield Of public
virtue, and national integrity shall be with
drawn" from the defence OF our constitution.
OF what avail will be the Attic proportions,
aud Gothic strength of sthe most stupendous
fabrck Of political wisdom 20 In the hands
corrupt people, and q profligate ministry, If
1t were buit OF adamant, 1t would be trail as
bands OF tow upon the arms Of an unshorn
Sampson Even now, in this age of spublick
virtue. and national integrity we almost DIES
pair Of being able to defend and preserve our
constitutions. They threatened with in
| vasion bv universal Tariffs by sea. and with
great national i,roads by land. extending from
Washington to every extremity OF the union
| and perhaps they may soon expire in the da
| and inext,icable labyrinth, Of Tannei ,hro'
| thr Allegheny Mountains, or the Isthmus OF
Panama
But as Democritus ascribes our present DO
| ltical happiness and love Of freedom. not to
| our constitution. hut to the lessons which onr
people received in the school of oppression.
where they learnt s.to love freedom nv its con
| traSt with oppression it docs not seem to
follow as aGecessarv policy, that we oue hit to
alter our constitution, in order to guard a.
gainst the consequences that may arise from
| the loss Of the GLOVE Of freedom, and the
| knowledge Of rational right We certainly
| do not agree with Democritus, in the opinion
| That lessons received in the school of opprcs
sion, and enforced with whip of scorpions
| afford the best discipline to prepare and quail
ty men Tor the love and practice Of freedom
| The history Of nations, and examples which
| have occurred in our own times some of
! which are now before oire eyes, seem to Justify
us in holding different opinion But If the
| opinion o. Democritus be correct instead az
altering orr constitution to guard against the
| evils likely to arise from tic loss Of pubick
| morality and the love of freedom, perhaps it
would be better. at convenient intervals, to re-
establish the school OF oppression, for suitable
periods or sessions, where we and our poster
| itv, may receive the benefit of renewing those
| lessons in liberty to which we are indcbt ed for
| our present possession and endowment of it
Perhaps, at this time, might fortunately
procure suitable president for our periodical
university With the assistance Of pretorian
| hands. and courts martial. and n,ateteers and
The hdteds corpus cYm cat o. nine tails. the
duties OF this Office might be most ably dis
| charged by General JACKSON
| Should the reader think that we treat this
subject with unsuitable levitv, we must re.
| mind him that. in the excellent school of the