Litchfield enquirer., 1831-04-07


Eminent 10 the service Of his country, he was
! member Of the first Congress Of I774. full
Of the confidence Of the people. When this
COVE, nrnent was formed, this man was select
ed by the unerring wisdom of Washington, to
! be placed at the head Of the supreme tribu-
nal of the land, to adjudicate between sener-
al and state governments. Gentlemen, when
the spOtless ermine of justice fell upon him,
it touched nothing less pure or spOtless than
itself. The names of these men, who are CO.
tempOraries Of the elder Of you, and country
men Of US all, cause recOlectiOus which con-
meet themselves with the Constitution they
| left behind them, and will as soon perish from
our remembrance. There is get another
distinguished name, of whom feel compel
led to speak, Chancellor Livingston. Heen-
| joyed the confidence of the peOple-was
member of the Congress that declared the
independence of our Countrywide was OF the
I committee that framed that immortal instTu-
nlent, the Declaration of Independence. Al
the period of the adoption Of the Constitu-
ton. he was its firm friend and advocate, and
in the convention of this state, he put forth
bis whole power in the doubtful scale OF the
Constitution.
| Gentlemen, the Inhabitants Ofthis city have
| great reason to feel warm and devoted at
tachmcnt to the constitution of our country
uut WcTeby UeCduSG u IS INVITE VI
| their own interest, than Of others. lis bene
fits are not exclusively confined to this place.
What has it not done for the.whOle country
what has it left undone? Let us compare
! our prOgress-let us see how we have been
| conducted from step to step, from thralling
| tyranny to the most glorious liberty and indie
pendence. Government is and ever ought 10
be kind and beneicent, and the advantages
given by this government far exceed the most
extravagant expectation. Gentlemen. some
persons, blinded by the passions or pre;udices
of the moment, may think it fit to interfere
and arrest the progress Of this government
But who is SO degraded and debased. as to
call in question the soundness ofits principles,
or the justice Of its provisions! Have we
not the respect of the hole civilized world,
and can we not feel pride in saying We
challenge the respect and consideration of all
mankind? Who is ashamed to be an Ameri-
can! Who is there among us, let him be
where he may, in any spot where human be-
ings exist, and where the knowledge of the
earth is knOwn-whO is there that would not
be proud to say am an American? am a
t countryman Of Washington; am citizen of
r that country, which, though it has sprung up
i, in recent times, there are none on the globe
Y who have ears to hear, but have heard. OF
) eyes TO see hut have read, Of its existence
{ Is it not at this moment the land of general
, refuge? Who Is therein affection that does
not come here to find shelter. whether he be
a republican or nonarchist-aying from their
own country, they come here for protection
and security. And can we do other than re-
. joice 10 realizing, that at this moment it is the
| safest government on the face of the earth
Where is the right of person or property,
: where is the security OfreputatiOn better pre-
served than here? 1t il marvellous to behold
9 it-aDd while other COVER standing on
I thrones which are tottering, and shaking, and
tumbling all around, is it not cause for graft
tude and Joy that we stand on foundation
sure and steadfast? 1t is unquestionably true
that among all States the government which
mt this moment is m ost secure against popu-
lar comnotion. is itself entirely popular. 1t
seems indeed that the very submission of
every thing to the people, will furnish securi-
ty. Let the man that would degrade this gov
eminent. that would interfere with its inter-
ests, that would nullify its laws and constitu-
ton-let him come forth and say what he
would wish. Whoever he may be, he is un-
faithful and unjust to the safety and virtue Of
this people. Any man who would knowing
/ ly destroy the constitution, / rejoice to say,
!. would be looked upon by the larger part Of
the community with adherence. This con-
, stitution is deeply entrenched in the minds of
, the people. Doubtless it may be UNDER
, mined, it may be weakened but ifthis coun-
try keeps single eye to it's interests, it will
a stand sure-If conducted 10 wisdom it can
: not be otherw ise.-It is our interest and duty
t to support this government as it is. Who is
: he that thinks he can better II, by the inter-
f rupton "fits regular administration p? There
;, is nothing to be desired for it better than to
: let it be administered in its true and genuine
' spirit. 1t is a very liberal, generous spirit /;
N il is founded on principles of reconciliation.
and recOnciIes all interests into one common
interest. II cannot be satisfactory to the pat
riot to witness party principles of adminstra-
toni speak of party principles merely in
I reference to the powers of government. We
have no cxclusion-nO one interest Of our
country or state, can claim the right Of pro-
lection in preference to other interests of other
states. There may be a great variety of in.
terests and pursuits, and support may be CIV
en- to liberal policyswhich will enable the
members sOf our national legislature to ad-
| minister that which will be a blessing to all.
| We are to consider, among other things, that
since the adoption of this Constitution, new
states have arisen, and the population has
| greatly increased. Since the declaration OF
| Independence, look at our Western country
then wilderness, but now a most important
| and snf nnrf NJ thu TTr;AoA Cs.&n.