Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-02-22
MONTPELIER, FEB 22, Is41.

Jolls WHICH VIII impair tne energy OF Jne byStcH
and thus to undermine what cannot be directly
overthrown. In all the changes to which you may
be invited, remember that time and habit are at
least necessary to fix the true character of gov
ernment as of other human institutions that ex-
perence is the surest Standard by which to test the
real tendency of the existing constitution of coun
try: that facility in changes, upon the credit of
mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual
change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and
opinion; and remember, especially, that for the eff
hcient management of your common interests, in a
country SO extensive ours, government of as
much vigour, as is consistent with the perfect Sc
curity of liberty, is indispensable. Liberty itself
will find in such government, with powers prop
erly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian.
1t 49, indeed, little else than name, where the gov
eminent is too feeble to Withstand the enterprises
of faction, to confne each member of the society
within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to
maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment
OF the rights of person and property.
have already intimated to you, the danger of
parties in the state, with particular reference TO the
founding of them on geographical determinations.
Let me now take more comprehensive view, and
warn you in the most solemn manner against the
baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally
This spirit unfortunately, is inseparable from our
nature, having its root in the strongest passions Of
the human mind. Its exists under different shapes,
III all governments more less stfed, controlled,
repressed but in those of the popular form, it
seen III its greatest rankness, and is truly their
worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over a.
mother, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural
to party dissension which in different ages and
countries has perpetrated the most horrld enormi-
ties, Is itself frightful despotsm: but this leads
at length to more formal and permanent despo-
tism. The disorders and miseries which result
gradually incline the minds Of men to seek securi-
ty and repose in the absolute power of indvid
nd ar MI Tho oh Of
ing faction, more able or more fortunate than his
competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes
ofhis elevation, on the ruins of publick liberty
Without looking forward to extremity of this
kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely
out of sight,) the common and continual mischiefs
of the spirit of party sufficient to make 1t the
interest and duty of a wise people to discourage
and restrain it. 1t always to distract the
publick councils and enfeeble the publick admins
traton. 1t agitates the community with ill-found-
ed jealousies and false alarms; kindes the animos-
ity of one part against another; foments, occasion
ally, riot and instruction. 1t opens the door to
foreign influence and corruption, which find ia
cilitated access to the government itself through
the channels of party passions Thus the policy
and the will of one country are subjected to the
policy and will of another
There is opinion that parties in free countries
useful checks upon the administration of the
government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of
liberty. This, within certain limits, is probably
true; and in governments of monarchical cast pat
riotism may look with indulgence if not with ia
YOUR, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the
popular character in governments purely elective,
it is spirit not to be encouraged. From their nat
ural tendency it is certain there will always be
enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose
and there being constant danger of excess the eff
fort ought to be, by force ofpubck opinion, to nit
igate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched,
it demands uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting
into flame, lest instead of warming it should con-
sumo.
1t is important likewise, that the habits of think
ing, in free country, should inspire caution in
those intrusted with its administration to confne
themselves within their respective constitutional
spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers Of
one department to encroach upon another. The
spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the
powers of all the departments in one, and thus &c
create, whatever the form of government a rea
despotism. A Just estimate of that love of power
and proneness to abuse it which predominant il
the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the
truth of this position. The necessity OF reciprocal
checks in the exercise of political power, by diRl
ding and distributing it into different repositories
and constituting each the guardian of the public
veal against invasions by the Others has been cvin
| ced by experiments ancient and modern; some o
| them in our country and under our own eyes, II
! preserve them must be necessary to institute
them. If, in the opinion of the people, the distri
button or modification of the constitutional power
! be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected b.
an amendment, in the way which the Constitution
designates: but let there be no change by usurpa
ton; for though this, in one instance, may be TIN
instrument of good, it is the customary weapon b,
| which free governments destroyed. The pre-
cedent must always greatly overbalance in penna
nent evil any partial or transient benefit which tn
use can at any time yield.
| OF all the dispositions and habits which lead +
political prosperity, religion and morality are indis
| pensable supports. In vain would that man CLAIM
the tribute of patriotism who should abour to sub
vert these great pillars of human happiness, thes
| frmest props of the duties of men and citizens
! The mere politician, equally with the pious mar
ought to respect and to cherish them. A VOLUME
could not trace all their connexions with private
! publck felicity Let it simply be asked, where j
the security for property, for reputation, for life
the sense of religious obligation desert the oath
which are the instruments of investigation in Court
of Justice? And let us with caution indulge tn
supposition that morality can be maintained with
| out religion. Whatever may be conceded to tn
! influence of refined education on minds of pecu
liar structure, and experience both forbid
to expect that national morality can prevail in ex
cusion of religious principle.
4 1t is substantially true that virtue or morality
a necessary spring of popular government TIN
rule indeed extends with more or less force to eve
ny species of free government. Who that is a sin
cere friend To it look with indifference upon at
tempts to shake the foundation of the fabrick:
Il Promote then, as an object of primary impor
lance, institutions for the general diffusion @
knowledge. In proportion as the structure of
government gives force to publck opinion, it is es
sential that publick opinion should be enlightened
As very important source of strength and sc
curity, cherish publick credit. One method ofpre
serving it, is to use it sparingly as possible; a
voiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace
but remembering also, that timely disbursements
prepare for danger, frequently prevent much great
er disbursements to repel it avoiding likewise tn
accumulation of debt, not only by stunning occa
sions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in tim
of peace to discharge the debts which uavodabl
wars may have accustomed, not ungenerously throw
ing upon posterty the burthen which we ourseye
ought to bear. The execution of these maxim
belongs to your representatives., but it is necessar
that publick opinion should cooperate. TO facili