Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-12-03

only safe government is the mixture OF the
three, as il exists in our constitution, balan-
cling each other, that as senate, an assembly
| and single executive, each having negative
on the other in the passage Of laws. tie re-
presents that government eflaws is the only
government which will insure the happiness OF
the people, that simple unbalanced govern
menI, whether IN the hands Of one, the few or
the many, would be a government OF men and
not of laws, and of course arbitrary and ,yran-
nicaI. There was no danger at the time Of a
monarchy or aristocracy, for every ones mind
was set enough against them, the danger was
from simple democracy or the concentration
Of all power in one assembly, hence the neces>
sity of vivid and strong representation Of this
| danger, which this work exhibits throughout.
! He demonstrates that an arisocracy inevitably
results from democracy, and monarchy
afterwards. The first volume was seat 10 this
country before the framing Of our constitution,
and Mr.Adams correspondent with Roger Sher.
man, Of Come cticut, one Of the five who report
ed the declaration Of independence on this sub
| ject. No one was more competent 10 form an
opinion Of constitution Than Judge Sherman,
and being asked before the publication OF the
! constitution by friend what sort Of onsritu-
ton they had formed, his reply was, "w. have
adopted John Adams plan or notions" Such
then was the opinion Of Roger Sherman, that
| Mr. Adams book really in favor OF re-
public, but If he had haG yonr desire, sir, he
might have seen in il the hldeous forms OF
monarchy and aris,ocracy. But according TO
your notions Mr.. Jehereon also would be an
aris,ocrat and monarchist, for he has express
ed him self in Terms nearly similar 10 Mr.. Adj
! ANS We quote him. "The Senate Of Vir-
einia is too homogeneous as they are chosen
! 4, IL. tha ina
sentati,es and out Of the same subjects. The
choice falls of course Oh men of The same de-
scri7tion. The purpose Of establishing differ.
en-, houses Of the legislature is 10 Introduce
different interests ond dBe,ent principles. In some
of the states one branch represen.s-persons &
The other property. But with wealth and
wisdom have equal chance Of admission into
both houses. We DO no, therefore from
separation derive those benefits which proper
complication OF principles is copoble Of produc
fng and these which alone can compensate the
evils which may be produced by their diSsen
ton. All the powers Of government, lcgisla-
tive and judicial, result 10 the legislative body.
The concentrating theme in the same hands is
precisely the definition Of Gesporic govern
mem. IL will be no alle,iltion that these pow
ers will be exercised by plurality Of hands s
not by single one. One hundred and seven
ty-,hree despots would surely be as oppressive
as one. Let those who doubt it look to We
nice. AS little will it avail us tina, they are
chosen by ourselves. An elective despotism
was not the government we FOUGHT FOR, but
one which should NOT only be founded on free
principles; but in which the powers of govern.
meat should De so divided aud balanced among
several bodies OF magistracy, as that no one
could transcend their legal limits without be-
ing effectusliy checked and restrained by the
Others Such being the opinions Of Mr. JEFF
ferson we suppose, you will brand him also, to
preserve your consistency, as an arstocrat, as
aiming a, distinct classes in society * wishing
TO introduce different orders and monied ar
| istocracy and as speaking treason against the
wisdom and virtue OF the people. Every SEN
tcnce you have quoted 10 prove Mr.. Adams
being in favour Of monarchy and aristocracy
he cited 20 show the danger Of their being liz
troduced by single legislative assembly in
which are concentrated all the powers Of GO
vernment executive, legislative anu judicial
Even government, Mr.. Jefferson pronounces
tyranny, and that The election of fresh tyran-
ny is no a!leria,Ion oft.
! The evidence you adduce from the testimo-
ny of The Cuningham's whether father or son,
l shall pass over with the contempt it merits
You would not dare 10 carry cause before a
!
of the late president, he sought (al a time when
the public press tened with ISLANDERS Of the
grossest character against John Adams, of
which your exposition is bu, the ,housapdth
repeti,ion,) 10 worm out Of the late presidents
confidence, by every art Of fattery and exaspe-
| ration. AT the same time that he was pouring
the oil Of fla,,riy so grateful to all men of adj
vauccd age, into one ear he was distiIling in
to the other the venomuus ISLANDERS with which
the press then teemed. Is it wonderful that
under such timuens, netlled to the quick IAN
old man of seventy FIVE should IN unguarded &
unsusrecting con6dence,say many has,y things
without much thought and which in cooler
moments he would never utter. And what did
Cunningham extract, literally nothing, but the
pra,'le of taIkaive age. He then proceeded to
threaten the publication unless he vas recon-
mcnded to MIR. Madison, for an office of which
he was utterly unworthy as he Of I'll. In
his life he issued two publications, and after
his death, his son completed the deed of nfa-