Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-07-15
ADDRESS
TO THE PEOPLE OF PENNSYLVANIA.

TO HE PEOfLE VI fl1-SASoI Lf ANA
FELLOW C1rlzENs,-The approach OF an election
brings with it new occasion for exercising the rlSht
and perorminu the duty, which belong to our char
acter as citizens Of a free republic. Our laws are
made and executed by those, whom we choose Tor
that purpose, and the frequent recurrence OF the
choice affords US the opportunity OF reviewing the
conduct of our public agents and OF deciding,
whether upon careful examination, 1t has deserv-
ed our appreciation If every citizen could be per-
suadei of the vast Importance OF always exercising
this RIGHT and thus persuaded, would make 1t, as II
really is, point of serious obligation our elections
would truly express the sense OF the people, and
the persons elected would be their true representa-
lives And if, with the determination to perform
this duty, there were also disposition to bestow
upon il the reflection and enquiry necessary Tor Its
right discharge, our plan of government would De as
perIect in practice as it is beautiful IN theory, ana
there would be sure ground for hoping that 1t might
long continue to impart to us the signal benefits
i which we now derive from it. Other governments
III impose submission i; ours demands exertons, whcf
. is only the same condition, that Is invariably at
tachel to the attainment and preservation OF ever.
a human good Vigilance and care may not Away
cure to us the continuance OF our best possessions
!, Careessness and sloth are sure to De followed o.
their loss. -.
"a Obvious as these truths coniessedly are, 1t IS
N the same time most certain, that many OF our feo'
citizens seem to regard the elective franchise as
&c mere privilege, accompanied with no correspondent
ohiuation which they may neglect with lmpuhlty
IT seduced by the love Of ease and quiet or aosorpe
by attention to their private affairs, they wlthho
themselves entirely from public concerns, as II ths
had no part or lot in the matter. There is no po
ton Of the community, among whom THIS error pr
- walls more extensively, than those, who nave
truth the largest stake in the public welfare, and 7
deepest interest in maintaining our institutions
the their utmost purity and perfection. Happy IN
uly nossession of civil and religious freedom, exem
II trom burthen and restraint and yet enjoying emit
rht security they act, as if they thought these gre
ris BLESSINGS would take of themselves or wou
I'd be preserved for them by others. lhere are mar
lied who will not even be at the trouble to attend an
lpt ecton, and very many, indeed VINO reiuse' lap'
ally, to bestow any consideration upon the 0D]e
and which the election involves or to make any effort
ivy secure them They suppose they have nothing
ere uan and they do not recoec, that they have ev
UNI thing to lose. a. n.a >,
due While this inertness preValls a'io's e pea'c
,use the quiet the industrious, the contented part OF
fellow citizens, it offers encouragement TO tne Inc
and siderate the restless, the sehsh the amptous
per- asprinp to project and prosecute every sche
which Is calculated to promote their own vie
With and to crafty their own passions and appeu'
lase at whatever expense to the public interests and T
and ouility They count upon meeting with little re
able ance and take it for granted, that ncessaht ac'
~ ACCOMPANIED with build tone Of confidence
an unsparing use OF means, VIII ensure 'hem
e. cess The few thus enabled TO triumph
lar the many and the fundamental principle OF Tree
the ernment-that majority shou'u . ~
It in destroyed, SIMPLY because '"e '''lo.1J .he =,
de- terested and virtuous is not moved by the 81
noweriul impulse which is directed against IT,
g This disposition to slumber IN security, uno
INDUCED, offers sure triumph toiactlon Men