Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-30

We would ask those who are daily preferring
charges against Mr.. Leigh, where they disco
vered that he had ever proclaimed that the Bri-
fish Constitution was the best and the English
People the most free on earth? We recolect the
following passages in his speeches in the Con-
vention -
1t is, indeed, great blessing-it is the first
and the highest of social blessings-to live un-
der regular, free, Representative Republican
Government; to belong to society fitted to en-
JOY capable of enjoying, such Government"
I" Sir, the last hope of the Republic rests in
that class-and, thank Heaven, it yet consti-
tutes the great body of the people, who, pos
sessing the means of subsistence, if improved
by honest industry, placed above the tempta-
ton of poverty, and exempt from the tempta-
tons of prosperity, never so much as dream OF
the emoluments of office-the honest, hard
working yeomanry of this country, who hlther-
to have fed, clothed, protected, and sustained
society,""
"And now, Sir, let me be distinctly under
stood. Attachment to this, my native State, to
every foot of her SOIL to every interest of all her
citizens, has been my ruling passion from my
youth-so strong, that is now (what all attach
ments to be useful to their objects, must beg pre-
judice-I hardly recoect the reasons on which
it was founded. None that know me- will doubt
this"
We presume that this charge against Mr..
Leigh, is founded in the following declaration
contained in one Of his splendid efforts before
the same dignifed body. We leave it to every
candid man to say how far it furnishes justfca-
ton for the allegation.
Sir, know it is the fashion to decry every
thing that is English, or supposed to be so; |
know that in the opinion OF many, IT is enough
to condemn any proposition, in morals, orln
politics, to denounce it as English doctrine; but
that is neither my opinion nor my feeling. |
know well enough that the sentiment is unpo-
pular-but laid it down as law to myself when
entered this Convention, to conceal no feeling
and no thought entertain, & never to vary in the
least from an exact exhibition OF nv opinions, so
far as it is in the power ofwords to paint the mind
and have no hesitation in saying, IN ~" face
of the world, that the English Government IS u
free Government, and the English people free
people pray gentlemen ~ cast tlHn eyes over
the habitable globe survey svr,y form of civil
Government examine the r"u....on of every
society--and point out one,%li they can, who
has even so much as conception, and much
more the enjoyment, Of civil liberty in our
sense of it, save only the British nation and
then descendants, England was the inventor,
lie, t,,up Icr of that representative Government
NC SO Justly and so highly prize. shall, there
fore Still study her institution 'sE' 81 y
Judgment in ascertaining what OF.
rotten, or unsuitable to our condition. -.
iecting that, hold fast to all that is lnG
wise and good, and proved by s>r ;:1e 10
be fit and capable to seen, 4.rE'N ID pro
perry; property without Nhu liberty can
never exist, or ifit could, would be valueless
Give me liberty in the English sense-liberty
founded on law, and protected by law-no iiber,
tv held at the will of demagogues or tyrants-
Nh ave no choice between them)-no liber-
" -, Inc to prey on others-no liberty for others
To- nryson me- | want no French liberty
II, Il u liberty which first attacked the proper
- fen the lives Of its e. hen those of its
: :. II "4s; which prostra', 81 RON and mo-
5aA, set up nature az ',aso.: ae G. 'ddesses to
(, be worshipped; aftcl ards cen e.rcnded to
decree that there is led; and, ut a t. embra-
ced iron despotisH IS its 'ea"en-u> 9tined
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