M FRINTED AT‘ ORE‘-ENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS,

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SPOKEN AT

   

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BEING THAE ANN”IVERSARY’4‘Ufi;‘”
 .x1mm'ccz¢2 fndependevzcea

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—B9“§?' 'rr~mR1:~:m SAMUEL TAGGARTQ

   

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IN behalf of the Committene of Arrangements, we
have the honor to exprefs to you their thanks for the excellent
Oratinn you delivered on the Anniverfary of the Independence of
the United States ofAmerica,A the: 4th inflzant, and towdefi-gc atgcopy
for thc.spm1”s. ‘   n 4 ‘ M ,2!     

n We have the honor to be with high
perform] refpeft and efiecm, Sir,
your very humble fcrvants,

I-IUGH M«cLALLEN,

A "      AJONATHANAMAGEE.
        ~~c:LARt:1<: CHANDLER.
aw. SAMUEL TAGGART.

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   A n    t1"aWrAf“rnrn’  
t'hc‘4,th inffant, juflcly merits the encomiums bc£1:awar:d’nn'up“6nit,»nycnt3.

{ugh as in is, the mpy in at your-fcrvice.   1 I
~   4 ; 1A;iim».n G4¢n;tn1emnw;>nyau*r .
 "end and fervant, %
‘ SAMUEL TAGGART...
The Gcnflcmcn of the Com» }
mitten of Arrangnmnms.

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  Waccount 0f V the   
 1€ngth<>} *h€ perform«% 
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mittedinthe delivéryp    Thefe  
are infertecl inthepublicatioh.

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AN

 

FRIENDS, A N’ I) FELLOW-CITIZENS,

I HOUGEI notwholiyufiacqtutinted withi tim

bufiintfs ofaypubiic fpcalting, yet, on acilauzxt of the
novelty of tht-‘:~ occafion, and the prefent being fotm:-.t

whatrcmcite front the ufual method in which I ham‘:
bean accufhaimed to adcirefs public :tfl"et*n1'iii¢::-3, I feel 21
degree of diflfidcnce in nnalting, that attempt. It bC3i1‘)g
my ufual pi’a{?£iCC to deliver my fentimttits in a pizt'm,%
Iimple,Vuni>t*namented fiyie, I flmll nczit dtsviate t’mm
that mcthtid on ti'1»€‘_pi'€f‘3nt occaifimzfgét 'I‘h¢ Htawers of’
oratory or the oritatncénts of dis-Ttiott, yum are nut to
ettpeét. The fubjeéi; before us’ has been ft: often ¢:gm«

fidertsd that it is difficuIt% to exhibit atny»Vthing Iifiw. iii A

fomething howeverxmyfibe Ihggefhzd, tending to i€‘”)£»+

cite in the minds of this tmmerous audience, fentimems A

Qf gratitude to that Being "upon whom wt: aUC()nf’t23t'tt'~
Iy depenci for every blefliiig we enjoy, and whm"e hand,

A ‘ has heretofore tappt:aredV fo confpitmoufly, in enabiizig

,throuvgI1i,inot‘der to our becoming an ii'3dtfp€nCif*fi£

?.1S%?Atofurtnour:t all the difiicuitiies, and ptotettting {xiii
in the midi’: of all the dangers which we hztd to tpavfs,

1

;nation,itItIhawl14e{’teemtthe p1*tifimt a ptofitabifii ify3riVit::ri.%% A

A A4 TH1siAnniverfary c;ompi1etcs_ twentyfcivcn ymls
tfincc a%band%iofiPatriig)tt3, fir;-.—d witlaanthtex-aim zeal, stud

ifavnimated with fuch a.nc>bl¢enthufiafm, as“ raifedt tht-:m

fibovc all %ff:mi'-2 or dttzacl of impcttciing; danger‘, ptzfi

:63

their lives in their hands, and making a folemn appeal a

to heaven for the reétitude of their intentions, ligned

that memorable infiroment‘ whichideclared the thirteen a

united Britiih Colonies free, fovereign, independent
States, pledging, at the fame time, their lives, fortunes

andfacred honour, tdfuppolrt the'declaratiilon,t thereby

claiming a rank among the nationsof the world.
T Heeyenpt has pyrovedthatpwhat was, at that
time demon earth, has been ratifiedi in heaven. Afi-

ma long and rarduousi iitruggle, during “which, we
were, inatvariety of inftances, like ~ Ifrael of old, .21’

people fignally, and eminently faved of the Lord, out
independence has been acknowledged, and placed on

a permanent bafis, exhibiting to the world aliteral,

fulfilmenttot" that feripture 4 prophecy whi
that a nation lhould be bornin a day, lA  a
IT is agreeable both to right reafon, and to the

ch declares» A \

principles, as Awelfl asrexamples; it yyrevelationl,  take a 

fome notice of anievencl of 3* 

but as l men, and, in A a fpecial’ ' rnannier as iohriftians; let

*us‘ be governed, in our public rejoicings by ihe idi6ta*te8*

of reafon, and the fober maxims of religion. pLet r us?
remember that our libertliesvand privileges, civil and
£"ae‘r‘ed, arse the gift of God, to ll be A improved fothia
glory!,7 and your own and our fellow creatureAs’7happi—

ynels ; left by making thenia an occafion of lieentiouf-A

Ine’fs,:i we liazardtheir lofs. l l
r  l  ’ THO U

i no hnmanifyftem ofgovernment, , or
eirvilr polity, acianpbe juftlyj termed fo ~per'feé’c asvto be

i incapable of impro~vemen‘t, yet, by ‘comparing her lot

with that of‘otherlAnation“s, America, if {he duly ap-
preciates and imptovestheradvantages, may be‘juf’cly
prr-mounted to be the happiefl: people on earth. While
almoft every‘ other fyfiem A of government now in the
world, has come into operation as a fruit ofeither ao-

"eident or force, our American conf’titutions,~;, have

been the rein}: of the free, unawed deliberraltionisof

t enrntofienlightened citizens, Wnor had the opportu-i

rfolemnlrimpoirtance  A

I 7* Q] l 

nity of profiting by all the light derived from the e:ar-
perience ofpaft ages; and they have come into op.-
eration bythe voice of the people themfelves. We
have, in general, been favored with peace in our bor-=
dots, , with a plenty and even abundance of the neeeil
faries and conveniences, of life, with as great a degree
of health as ufually falls to the lot of dying men in a

dying world, and with, probably, as much perfonal

liberty as IS confifient with impofing a due reftraint on

rthofe unruly paflions, which, if permitted to rage

without controul, would turn the world into a bedlam,
and render every man, every man’s foe.  t i A t a
i A BRIEF fketch of fome of the diflicurltiesi fur»
mounted, in order to tbeeftablifhment ofour indepen»
deuce, the dangers with which it is {till threatened, and
the means of avoiding them, iball now folicit your
attention. a A A
Mom: than a fimple declaration upon paper was
requifite to procure us the blefling. It was not ob»
tained till after a long, arduous, and perfeveting con-
fliéi, and after expending much blood and ireafurre.
When we rcfleélz upon the various eireumftanees of
clifcouragement, which darkened our profpeét at the
beginning of the fizruggle, it is truly wonderful, and

A fotnething which lmanifefisll‘ the operation of a divine

invifible hand, direftingtourteouncils and animating

i our endeavours, that ever we had refolution fufficient t

to make the attempt. i As a people we werethen in

ourinfancy. But little more than a centuryand a
half had elapfed iince our forefathers, a few poor wan»

, dering pilgrims, in quefl; of a habitation wherethey
 pmightenjoy the bleflingsyof civil and religious liberty,

fitfl: landed on out fhores, where they ifoundi nothingi‘

but a vailhowlingwilderneiia, inhabited onlybyi fav- A
1 age men and gbcaflzs of prey. by ,We_were wit,ltou‘t‘ mag..-
l aztnes of arms», andzotherwarlike florets, or the tmrne-

diate means of proouringany giiwrithotut either treail

 arcs, experienced officers,or difciplined troops, and

E3]

A~*i:7'ir4itii7'rr3“1itA:f'iA«3»r‘3tis to ciefénd O11‘? e5?.:‘tie"nfive ii’:“aAC0€iAiiiS.i Vve“ i

‘had at the Afamvc time, to contend with aria 0f'AtAiieMmoEFC

pawcrftiizmd Awariiliae ntatiicinis io*fELiAr0pe, vvh()fE:ifieéAts~
’AAAVgaveii~‘iaAm' to the ocean, whofb irefources ’forAmA1A1zta‘rv

mterpyize were,~ in a manner inexhAauAfi:ib'iei, and‘ iwhofc

iiitroaps, ibme’ of itixe mofiz ‘valiant amid AAbAefi.idifCip‘lAined
A on tihciiiglbbeg were I'maAdAe3d Vbyi cnmmanders dif’c1nA-»

7 iguifhed
‘ Pfizfa ‘ i

?f0"r¢ itAh€”2i‘1‘ AimiiitaryA ita:A}e1:1ts- and iove of crater-4'

A  \DEfRING‘_ “the pi*ogréAFs of the caAnfl3i€t, a'ifi>,: om-

 af§aiirsiiiciAfcen*times were the aim}: unpmmifing zrfpgéh i

being reduced ‘to faith a ‘1owi:ebAbA, with-at, up'r:mAa retro»

A {pet} view, we csmnot but Awonder that Awe did not, in
AA iaifiizAofri-@efi3oiuiAency, give] up the iAcau*fc, and t‘hroAw
iom<fi=:}ves fupcin ’tfi"1A’E? imewy At)? the A;c0inqAuicror.i A"Evc”rx
~bef0r*CAtAh‘EA c1nfi:*A0f7 the nuienm3riabl&iAI776',A whir,;_h* gave‘

   

birth to ouriincicppndgincgi we VF{Cl‘€,: ::1ppa!‘6A’n"tAiy,' wry

A°A”A“»exi1iau~i’te‘d} = AAia;m'3 cmr ‘fee'bi*e% iar“n*ii»es, a1AmO@ftAwiAtimLttipay'

A 401'“ c‘}Qg‘.h‘inig, and Amany r:ix'.i?1es but A“ip0r)rIiy‘;‘fii'<:ii,A*Ai2p,cm
A-*‘thAe Jpoinit of é"ifiE)l‘wtiUn gwbut ‘fiill we wez'eAfupp0rrc:'fd.;
 The Awiaflcing c:-‘f’ but *fi¢.£id?S, ithé burning Aof-iiourAtmvns,~

«the re\peatediflatighrcrAioF ouriiiiiic‘iti2enAs,i *a*Avafiii*exp'enfc

« ofiblaod and i::°c35ai1"ure, togecheri with Aith-e C iif<mt1i*:'!ii:iim«3s;
‘-1 waiiniofi unparaiileieci fuififiisriings of our captive ibmzhrein,
 px*ifoi‘;s, aind in "i]£)E'Aii—OI'1~i’ii"1ipS,~ were F0 many items in
ii ?theAipui:‘ciiafe“cssf that ibiefiirzg of iin-depeindérncfliAwhitrlx
 we arevthis ciziy a»ifiEAmv11}ed~Ai-itio ccieizémtve. A Had n':0t“t~hc"
 memdrabieidieciarationiiof 1776 been fit:-'i1oA‘wed with
A peirfevering e3mrtionAs, which» were inmhcpend atzrowntad
A with fucct=:fs,i it w0iirM¥«i~hAave been regard:-:d‘as the ‘ma-

mcntary pi‘H”€2";AZ:J of reibieisy mericing thr:*iA'ever<:f’£ chaif-~

. tifcntenir, and our countryiat large would *bavc.been
A iifizijeflad tO'[i}s‘E‘ mofiwhumAiiiatAing vafi"aIage;A i*M’zmy
'.Uf’{Z1y hmrérs fiii}Aren1femiii'ae:r the various; cii‘tt?£Jimi‘mAn~
ii—~e’e‘siAAoiFi fdiis 3'13-‘OI"}'i€l‘}"£<3L3'3 iconfiiéiz. It is iApropcrcii’a€
7tli~0feiwh'o fIAii~i:2=iw:* ijfinrze Acnmc on tAIA1eAaf’c.ag*eAA‘0f »»a¢€tim
flnouidii he iAii*r*i:.£r.ii;:% Ai‘E1i€E?€l1U~;1if§~'£C3Ci wiirh ith~¢:n'2.fiii~i Béféhts

  er;§wiiii;;f@~cn =+°mur~F iAr<ffou«rces A

  it 9   

lhould inform their children, and they again another
generation, of thetwonderfirl works of God. A A
A, IT is readily admitted that God was the viflble
king of the Iewilh nation; in a manner fomewhat clifl
ferpentfrom the ulual method in Whiclt he rules over
other nations; yet there are many things in the hiftory
of that ancient chofen people, lubflantially applicable
to thefe American States. Does the infpired Law.-
giver of the Jews eaclaim in the language of piofis
gratitucle, faying, “ Happy art thou O lfrael, who is
like unto thee, 0 people faved of the Lord, the fhielcl
of thine help, and the fworcl of thine excellenlcy ; and
thine enemies {hall be found liars unto thee, and thou
{halt tread Upon theirhigh places.” So God has fre-i»
quently interpofed on our behalf, and been our falvaw
tion when our power was gone, and there was none
lhut up or left. And as God whenever he was about
to do any great work for his ancient people, always
raifed up and qualified fuitable inflruments to carry it
on 5 (fiich inflruments were Moles and Aaron, joflma,
Gideon, lZ)avi<:l, Solomon, I-Ilezeltiah, &c:.) fo we
have had both ‘Patriots, Statefmen and lWarriora,
men equally difiinguiflued in the cabinet and thelfield,
‘who have received their endowments from on high ;
to whom, while they l”at_ injndgment, God has been a
fpirit ofjutlgmennas well as firength while: turning
the battle to the gates. Such tliflinguifhecl charaétera
have, tho’ in fomewhat of a dilferient manner, been as
really fitted by heaven for their refpeélzive flations, as

thlefe worthies of old. lWl1o but an infidel does not

feel the liandpdf heaven, in raifing up and qualifying fa
WASHI N GTO Net for thefifeveral a important Ptations
he foeablyfillecl ? Alcharafterjuftly confidereclas ll-irft
in war,“firfl: in peace, “and firfi in the hearts {of his
countrymen j; "a natheivlwhichj will ‘Rand unrivalled in

the annals of honelt fa.:mie,e when the names of his ca-V
i lnrnniators, fhalltbe, either buried ijin .oblty1on, or rep-A-5%

B

trot

I mcmbered only as objeéfts of contempt and execrntionk.

But Ihould I attempt fo much as barely to mention
thenames ofan hof’r ofliving and dead worthies, who
have Alfilleld their refpeétive Frations; with dignity and
honor to themfelves, as well‘ as to the fingnlar advan—-L

tage of their country, It {hould tire your patience,

Theyl were however only‘ inf”’tru‘r1"1ents, juf’t fueh as
God was pleafedto maltelthem, and’ to his namebe"
the pralft: andgl‘ory. or  or A  r A A A A
‘ pl BUT levenfp after §a*nel'glat y*ears’lw:_1r had terminztt-
ed in the refioratlon of the b‘1eHings ofpeace, we found
our independence fo far from being placed upon a le-
cure and permanent bafis, as to be little bet‘te‘r than
merely nominal. It is not to be wondered that A-
rnericans ihould, at the clofe of inch :1 l°on“g and defo»
latlng calamity, highly appreciate fl‘10ftL“l’l'bCl‘tlCS and
privileges which had coil: "them fo‘deor,~ and be filled
Fvvith a dread“ of that arbitrary powe"rpthpeyp hadfo nar-~
rrowlylefcapledt and be for Cthllalt ’ 1.-eaten tlifpol‘e'd to l delw
egate authority wltha {paring h‘and’..l Their principal
lrconcelrn ‘lvas to guard againfif all poffible abufes of
delegated power by a multiplicity of“ chec-l<:s., without
being duly fenfible that “governrnentl might thereby
becomerlufelele, by having its operation fo tclogged :19
to render it defiiltute offirflicient energy to°afFord tpro-4
tezftlon. Being hitherto nnpraélifed in the managing.
“of national affairs,» they WC‘1“&3 accordingly,, till‘ taught
by ezzperlence, »i'nsér meafnre infenfible of‘ the neeeflity
of a {’tablee‘nel'getic' national government, in order to
concentrate their ntttllonal rlefolurces, and‘ clireft them?
-to the prefervation of their clear bought liberties :— The
United States were tlherefore’w~iltl1out any proper na-~

tional fyf’tern. V
Tm: old confederattion, tho’ but the mere fhadow

of}: national confiitution, was foundl to be, in fome A
’meaf'ure,p Aacl'eqnate to national pnrpofes in a ptime of

  Vpvlar,fo,:longas the feveral {fates wereheld together A
. fbye. fenf: of common’ danger, but that‘ danger being,

[ml

pafi, this feeble bond was found by cxperienicegto be
wholly unequal to the management of our national af-

t fairs in time of peace. Our t commerce A being unpron

teétediby any general fyfcetn of legiiflation, was, for

that reafon, in ad languiflaing ciondition-—--both public

and private credit were greatly i»mpaired—---our nation-»
al debt, the price of our Independence, was in no

xbopeful train of diminution, but rather in the way to

accumulate, until it fhould be finally annihilated by a
national bankruptcy and public convuifion-~—-a circuu
lating medium had in a. great rneafure vanifhed, Io

l that debts ,contrac'ied during, and about the clofe of the

war could not be difcharged, and taxesneceffarily high
on account of the circumfiances ofthe times, could

not be paid, while our produce lay rotting in granaries V

for the want of fufficient encouragement to carry it to
rnarker. The natural confequetnces of theft: various
circumf’tances were a multiplication of fuits, and an
abundance of private clii‘trefé. From a miiialce of

their realycaufe, thefe things were followed with ung-

eafinela, diicontentg, and infurreftion. ‘ 
VVHILE our country laboured under this prefiure

of embarrafiirients, fometof our more enlightened

patriots and ftatefnnen, clifcerning the true caufe or
our difficulties, clearly flaw the neceliityt ofa moreen-

ergetic “national fyllzem, and accordingly made that

attempt by which our prefent federal confltitution was

formed. A From that extreme jealoufiv which is ever
watchful‘ againfl: encroachments on our liberties, and
“which, when not “carried to excefs, is free-ldom’s bet’:
‘guardian, it required the utmoft addrefsto eftablifh t
vandicarry this fyfiemy into operation. Its beneficial
jyei-'fe&s“‘arei the befl: commenra on its exce].}ency,_ Tho’
A ithadir, from its infancy, to Combat withafoprrnidabiep
internal oppofition, and was broughtiinto ptopeyrationt
‘juft at the commeyncetfnentof a European war, uh.-
lparalleled inthefannals of civilizeci nations for inf’tan-
cea oflwanton cruelty, extenfiveiifcarnage, and the en--

7

‘L :23

tire deflruéizion of all ancient infiitutions ;A and though
A we have been frequently in danger of being ingulphed;
in the tremendous vortex of Ettropean politics, yet,
with a V.VASE_lINGTON athelm, we fafely out-rode
ithe ftorm. In. the courfe of pa few years we have feet;
trade revivedrpubligz andtpritrate credit andiconfidence
r,e{’tored, our lnational chairaéler retrieved, both at
home and in the vierwiiof foreign nations, and a fyiletn
of national fina‘nceiand ‘revenues e{’tablifl1ed,- fufficiepntly
Aproduétive to afford notsonltyiatt ample‘ fopply for the
ordinary exigencies of government, but a Afutr plus equal
‘to pay the intereft, and eifeét a gtadual eggtinélzion of
the principal of our national debt, while taxes have
been Ieflened and public burthens of every leinid great-;~

ly lightened, We have feen opt merchandize wafied ‘

into A all parts of the globe, A in uour. own veffels, tnavia-:»

gated by our own feamennéwthe‘ balances of‘ trade tore. A
Amerly greatly. agaihflzl us, turned in out favour,ang1 Q

pfl.‘p!Cl"l='j anadAvantcem€m1Aolf ptoifperityslan~diaippopfltJlation,It as
hardly admits of a parallel A ; lgandt loot people, in genes-
eral, tttcafy and contented, or at leafi, without any real
caufe of complaint, " l i i A AM A 
A yvvf-.lJ:‘.N our national confiitution was in the foils tide
of fuccefsfulA operation, ‘land; not fooner, America,
mightbe {aid fully to enjoy the bleflings of heAtA A Indes.

_ ‘ pendenacely.-~From this brief fketch of the ComApli‘C.t_1tt‘.*d

tidiflicultiepsi happily furmounted, which ftood“ in the

o AAwaysAAAAA?o*f01J_tt' bAe§::omingt an indeapendentpnatiopn, as well

has of the tviatious (‘reps by which“ we.‘ havep arrived at
‘that height oiflpublic: and private profperity, enjoyed
t under the Aoperation of*our national conflitution, the
pious mind will be naturally led to confider the whole

'3 as the work oflGod. Godohas, with a éleari and dpifi,
tmét voice,A fpoken concerning our nation, to plant A

and to build it up. But there is a counter parts Atolthje

Adeclatation of infpiredi truth. He fieqileotlyallfo 
A {peaks concetningkingdoms and nations, to pluck up,;
to pulldown, and to deftroy, by eitherlppermittinpga,

 13 3+

ffil~t';lt.Qi'.€i£1f.z1l£U£‘ttiQ‘lj tot peflefi-3 their tcouncils, or by
giving chllren to "be their h pt'inces, and firangers to

rule gver them.

Himrittrac briefly Ttractetzli the beneficent hand of i

Pr.oviclence, which has ibeei11m.ani{e{lted. in raifingitlte

 United States to their prefeint rank amcng the inaltionsi

of the world, 0131‘ oibfervations will now be dircfled,' to
note fume of the dangers which threa_ten put national
profperity and liappinefs, and which, ttnlefs happily
avoided, may prolhate our national lndepettclence.
AND em upon a _fir{’tview,t is it not obvious},
that our political liappineliy and even our Iinclepen-
dfince as a nation, is, or may be endanigeredi by the
pr€V;1l€IJCC of vice and irreligion .9 No mathematical
axiom ttdmits iofa clea1'er ztncl fuller demonfiratiott
than this obfervatiion of the wile man, that, “ Right-~
eoufitefs egttalteth 3. nation, but fin is a reproach to any
people.” Thole ancient Empires of Affyria, Baby:-A
lon, Greece, and Rcme, which appeared tu be lb
firmly tftablifhecl that no p()'w<:I‘ merely human could
iiflaalte them, 1oon??crr.;mrlbled to pieces upntller the weight
of tzheir vices. V Should vice and irreligiorl tmiverfally,,

orleven generally prevail in the United States, will 
trot om‘ fituzttion become cmmparativeliy » more critural

and dangerous, as we paflirfs unfpealtably greater ad,-
vantages, both for olrlwtainiingttlie l{1’10\IVlc'f‘dg€ of our

_ duty anti for promotihgthe improvement ofvirme 3
Jhlothingis plainer to thcfe whothelieve that God the

fupreme ztribitler of the fates of kingdoms anti nations,

lwillt punifh the guilty, thaxla that prevalence nationali

Vices, A efpeciztlly irreligioné deflzroy the haphpinefs, and

_:t:raiclangc*ri the 1 nclepe

I

ttdence or a nation, by provolcirtg

”itl1erig,hteous vengeatice or heavett.

 Wnwrfivrin the obit [ ions are whichtarifiimaflfi

againfc either .th€.TCligi0Ll'S, or moral ‘fyfternt of the
  preten;   chief4ma;g;iItra:t4 ofth€Unit6Cl:e$r21t@S,l xvhwh.
iwhether well or illi“f0t1ntletd, ii dist l,iprohablyi jh.-ave   net

A fuiflicient lligl1tA$t0ili diiterrtginitgtAtlttflfzttllriot in this iplatge l

li. I4 3

{pend time to enquire: this one fentiment from “his
pen, muft tneet the approbation of all the friends of
religion and virtue. “ Can the liberties of a nation
be thought fecure, when we have removed their only

i firmJbafis,e a conviétion in the minds of the people,

that thefe liberties are the gift of God, that they are
not to be violated, but withihis wrath 5 I tilrembllellfor
my countrywhen I refleél: that God is jufl, and that
hisjufltice cannot fleepjforlelver.” Befidespropvoliingi

the wrath of heaven, vice and irreligion have a Inarur. V

all tendency ‘to defiroy the ptofperityand happinefs of  A

a nation, by loofening or diffolvirig the bonds of civil
fociety---weakening or eradicating all the focial virtues,
and that fenfe of mutual obligation which cormeéts
rhan to man, and by erafing from the minds of men,
a fenfe of the {hated obligations of an oath... At leaf’: a

“nation becoming univerfally corrupt, can be governed

only by the firong band of force; No liberty caniexw

spill: amongltheneyii unlefsi itstibetheiliberty ofilrnutual deb.-»

ea-ueion ; and "moralityicannot exili: WiEl1OUCil‘€_llgiOD».
V A IT is true ourimodernphilofophic reformers, who
have been pleading fo firongly for the perfeftibility of

1' human nature, have, many of them, ‘pretended to be
great admirers of moralityiin the abllraét. l While

they ha’veWul'ed the mofisunwearied endeavours ‘todif-

i eard‘relig;ion, and fetafide  obligationsof the dim
, vine law,‘ andall confiderations drawn from the belief

of a ‘fu5tur”e flateof retribution, they have pretended to

lintroducea more pure, fublime, and refined morality,
under theifalnltafiie nlotionlliof pracftiling vittueifor its

owniiifake. But wphatlisilthe virtue or morality they

wifh to introduce ? Is it either more or lefs than the i

deitrtielion of all religion and morals ? Follow nature,
talee nature for your guide, is their leading maxim 5

i. e. refign yourfelves up to the uncontrouled dominm i

ionof your appetites and paflions. Not only piety
towards, God, but }uf’tice, humanity, tempepranctf,
£:l1Eti)€lty', and benevolence, as well the eatereifeofall

E 15 1 ~

thofe natural A andfocial iafferftions, which refnlt fronfat
the mutual relations of parents and chiidrenfihufhands
and wives, or brethren and fifters, are difcarded from;
thetlift of virtues, and ranked among the weakneffesi
and prejudices of human nature, which it isthe b.ufi«é
nets of their fubiime, and refined fyftem offhiloiophy
to eradicate. Tho’ great pretenees to the incuication
and praétiee of benevolence, are made by thefe reform-
ers, yet it is ofthat vifionary impraflicable kind, which,
while it, profeffediy, embraces the whole human race

in the arms of afiieétion, confiders individuals as of no
tsonfequence, and even fcatters about fire-bra-ads, ar» 4

rows, and death in fport, for their deftruéision. A
Jlfrzmt and a R05;/‘nierre, with their fellows, werea-
mong the highefi: pretenders to this kind of benevo-
Ienee. Their ofienfible objeft was to emancipate the
whole human race, while they werebutchering their
fellow creatures, by hundreds and thoufands, with as
little rennorfe as men tread upon a worm, and would
have facrificed whole kingdoms at a Ptrolte, to their
luff of dominion, and infatiate thirft for blood. Were
fnch principles fo Far to prevail as to be introduced in»..-

to univerfal praéiice, theywould turn this Worid into a

Tnpher, a mere Pandemoninim, a fit habitation for the
fiends of I-ileli, rather than human beings,

THAT repeated and nnwearied attempts have A

been made in Europe, to demoraiize, and u—nehri£’tian-

ize the worid, and that the plan has extended its infinw‘ %
hence to the United States of America, 15 a farft fo abun--re

dandy attefteci, that it requires the efliiontezry of an In-
fidei to difpnte or deny it. And, fotfar as the praéti-e
ealrrefiieréits of this rynem prevail, they not only endanu

r gt-jr the future happinefs of individuals, but ourpirefent

happinefs and- profpeirity, and even our liibertyiand in...
dependence as a nation._ Whenperfons tainted with
this demoralizing leaven; are entruiiejdi with great POW»
er,"and placed in nations of high ilrefponfibiiity, the

danger inereafes. A “When theiwiiiciteds bear ruleflthe

ll“ 15‘ ll

people moor‘ ;"” is a»lmax3m‘ of tinerrihg tm~.;li.i Na-l‘

tions frequently cllerive their moral and religious eom~
plexions in 3‘ ggreat meafure from their rulers: It will
perhaps he obj-eéleal by fame; ‘that a people have no
concern with their ru“lers_.,l any fz1rr.he7r than withtheir po-;-
litical talents; and of confeqpueneethey can ‘have nothing
to do with either their rel'igion or morality. Even that
ehrifcian charity which ?7hopeth~* alllilithings, is lfml-nEt1i'me‘S4

adduced as aniiargxrmenrp why Amen of tal*ent‘si, l though

known Ienemlies 1to”eh’riliialnit3l'7,= A otflfght ‘impar?tliallly

with its friencl‘s,, to be peonlidlered aslcanclldates for of- A
flees of the highefi trofc and refponfibility in a ehriflianl

country, if not for that very reafon preferre.d._ But is‘
this application of cl‘n'if’£ian charity jull: ? V‘Vhat. fec:u-

V rity can aipeople haw; in the political integrity ofa rm’-

ler, withoutieiither religilon or morals P‘ Tho’ it he the

A duty‘ of chzjifiians to fuhmic‘ to theexilling civil aothor-w"

ity, even»: ihomld 7;tlielrl lot he eaft  2.‘ 1Piagan5 *Mahom-

A letan, or Ilnfi'd«el leoomstrygAthis can he no reafon“ why a‘

free, and, profeffeclly, a chriflian people, bleflitd witlrl
lam eleé”tiv‘e government, fi10UlCl9‘by their own volunra»
ry fufiragesj raife known infidels to the chief clli1'eél:ionl
ofthe afl-airs of government. is itic~oofillem: with :1

idue~regard~ tO~~Cl’H’llllanltj7, to invefi its ~enemies with a‘

A power which {hall place them in st favorable fituationi
toaccomlplifh itsldefiruélcioh E’ Tho’ a. thorough mfi-- A

elelmay lmalise the m‘oA{l: plaufible pretenllems, to plain.
lam:hr0PY:: rand" the molt onlimiteel cotrntenlaoce and
t'~oler~ation~of r~elig;ioos opi'n»lons,A he is ataheart an enemy
to the wholoellchleriflizm rm-.me,A ‘ and is only waiting a Fae
vorableoppo—rroni:§r to aczcomplilh its deflmélion. It
is impoflible” thatias an Infidel, he fhoulcl‘ he or do
osherwife. s Thatgreat A mailer and PI'OI'Il()lI(‘A‘!‘ oflinfiu

A delity, Volrsaireg filled the world with his fyren fcalngs
V about univerfal philanthropy, while Crulh tho VVret:eh,
mlegming Chriil, was his waosh-word among" his coma»
panions,ancl he could tell his confidentiali fi-iencls,‘ thatif A *
he had anlhundrecl Lhoulimd mien atllhis difpofal, he

if 17% 3“

vronflcl know what to do. Danger frormthc prevalence «

of vice and irreligion has heretofore threatened us ti In
at now pal“: 3’ *'I_€II us panic and fee.  r
‘ Sucra are alfo the circumflances of thefe United

States--—-inch their relative iituation with regard to the A

powers of Europe, that foreign influence and intrigue
are fruitful fotlrces of danger. We may naturally ex-
pcél: that while jealoofy and rivalihip exifi between the
feveral European powers, they will not be inattentive
to the {iteration of America, While one rival nation
will endeavor to obtain an undue influence or control
over our councils, ‘another willfflrive to counteract it

by an oppofite influence. We have heretofore tailed

{on-ac of the bitter frtiits of fuch intrigues, and have
real7.>nl to dread them in future. But whatever control
any foreign nation may obtain in thefe States, it will
be improved in order to promote her own, and not
their intereft. Whatever private benevolence there
may be in the world, and there is, alas! but little,
pnhlic national benevolence is notto be expected. Juli-
tice and good faith ought always to be prominent feta-~

tnres in national proceedings, but national *benevolenrce,,,
or 'li.1ch a favor without an equivalent, as rlhall lay a;
foundation for a Juli claim upon national grat1tude,but

rarely eixii’ts,r if ever. A The European nations to whole
intrigues the United States are moi’: expof:-rd, are Great
Britain‘ and France. Thcfe have long been the ene-
rnies and rivals of each other. Both are deeply inter-
elled in rendering the UnitedStates fuhfervienrt to their

rm-ea. Our buiinefs, as Americans, is to m«anage
lonriown‘ national affairs, in our ownl way, Funfwayeda
by any undue partialities, either for or againll: ;the:o»no

or theother. llffthie timeifhould ever come,aWihiChlit-1;
an event ineither innpotflible, not very improbable, Vwhen
either a Bti‘tylil1i:r0ryla~ F re_ncl,1 faction fhalllobtain an un-9
controlable, nor) even an our-idue infinenccever our nae:
clonal cotinciilsl, our ltibeltieswill be ;endan$ered,A and
our independence become little 'betterii‘**tllian a n'atn“e«:.

E181

Nay the time may not be far difiant when out fituatiiotri b

may referrible that of ill fated Poland, which, by be--
coming a prey to l‘breign influence and intrigue, was
firfi clefolated by a civil war, then {tripped of fome of
herllfairefi: provinces, and finally, by the late partition,
blotted out of the number of incl‘epenclent nations.
Jot’: to far as any undue partiality prevails, wemay ex-

eét it tobeeorne fnbfer:!vie~nt to a foreign interell, and

not our “own.

 a One clanger in this refpeét maybe probyablyy
heightened“, by the eircurnftaynce 0F our poflefling an? 
extenfive vacant territory, which is to be confidered as

holding out an’ invitation to a valt influx of foreigners

, to vilit our Ihores, and fettle among us. Thefe, fame

of fthern at lea{’t_., may, upon good grounds, be fnp-
pofed to bring, not only their foreign manners and
habits, but their foreign pX“CjLT(.ll‘CCS and attachments

along with thenr. It is by no means imptobtahle that 4

fome of I them mayadcl their weight ttoittlte fcale of

lfo~reign"inElnenee to e‘on't‘rol'oiurr Couiinciis. Foreigners

of induftry, refpeétability, and peaceable habits, ouglit
always to be welcome to our fl"l0I‘€.’S. They bring an
accefli-on to our Wealth and population, as well as pros-
mote our improvement in many ufeful arts.  While
tlheyqate p‘r0i?6€li€d by the fame laws», and enjoy the
fame advantagiesi to acquire, pofiefs, enjoy, and proteét

A p~roperty, with our native citizens, they cannot reafonm

ably “rzmtiplailn, 'tl’10’Aa'-fp?.C€I of time fllogtild elapfe fuf-~
fieient fiat them to get acquainted with our conflitutions,
and “the nature and fpiritof our government, anidto
manifelt their attachment to” the fame, before they be»-

A conneeligibletoftationaofhigh trtafi: and tel’ponlibil‘i»-

ty. Marty foreigneers of this defcription have after

fneh a<:quaintance'has been obtained, r'anl{ed among

our lmolt refpeftable citizens, and to put any new ob»
ftaele in the way of their naturalization, would probaa

blybei highly impolitic. But many ofadiiliferent d'7e-» ii A

ifcri;ptioin,“have, from time to time, vifitecl our lhores;

Irthsyaretnet fugitives from jnftice, they are fuels: ,

1. cm 3

oneafy irefflleiis Tpliritsas love to fillt in lm‘uddy_wa-ten;
Having many of them been unhappily engaged in .;plOtS~
to overthrow the government of their own A co~tJinttjy,.~i
they bring their revolutionizing fpirit along with them,;
and are found to be no better qttalified forthe duties
of peaceable citizens in this than in their native Aland.; A
If inany inftance, we find fuch charaéters, alimoft as;
{non has landed on our fi1ores,AAclaiming,i not barely all

the Ar-ights of native citizens, but enlifting o thennfelvee
as political .champions, and afpiring to be the organs
of thepubltc will, and even manifefiing a difpofitiont

A to model our civil codeAto“their pleafure, iwhen they.»

know but little more of eitheriour‘conllittttion, or"thA<:
genius of our govex'nn1ent, than the {hips which car»-
tied them over ; and efpecially if we find themaicledi
and abetted by others, of a fimilar revolutionizing
fpitit among ourfelveas, of whom our country contains

fttfiicient fiore, their influence is dangerous, and may,

in due time, become fatal to our peace and indepena ‘

dence ; even equally defltuflive with the’I‘roian-horfe
Mold. A I confelsthat for ttnyfelf I caAAnnotA but feelfot

my country, as being in s. fituation which is truly odeg

grading, fitom the conlideration that no nativeA Amer-3.
lean citizen could be found fititably qualified to hold
the putfe-l“rrings of the nation, but that our treafury
department, onelofthtr moflimportant in the United
States, mull be underthe direélzion of a foreigner, one

whohas been, perhaps, jufily reprelented as at fugitive

doninthb. A A A A Aoldfil  %
t In glancing at our Foreign dangers, I may not

spars" over in filence, the cellion of'Louifiana to the

tFrench, a mleaf'ure%whiel1 promifes to give ;L1siiiirain” unw-
eafy, rel’tleIs,intriguing, and Aeneroachingztneighbituf
at our doors; 5 and the occlufion ofthe port of_oANewl-

fijotn ihisiown country, and as a f01“I'l€.'fl[€rAo0fi-tll1l.Ul"I‘CC-'-

Otleanis, aimealinteevidently conneéledwitohothe steel} Al

.eo‘ntrary to an exprefs Ptipuolation in our treaty with

lion, and one wherebyiotJrAVVell.'ernterritoryisiiexcln,ded o
from theonly pafi'ageeonamunicntAAiAng wiAtAh the oceans A

[no]

S ain. Whether our Government has n orfued that
P . . r.   . P

manly dignified line of roonduét, Wl11Cl'l became the ln--
preme authority of afiee and independent lnation, or

‘whetherit;has not betrayed fuch a degree ofindecifilon;
pulillanimity, and innbecility, as is calculated only to“

invite injury and infnlt, It lhall not pretend to decide

in this place. 1111 favour at other fyflem adopitedl it is
r lurged, that the immediate objeéts to be pnrfuéd by thefe" l
_ States are peace*,l agric;ulture,and commerce, and that
a dirfferent line “ of conduét  would, probabfly,r‘ll1raver plied” *

toa war, whiichiin our prefent fitnrationl is lahovearlplj

things tobe dreaded, and by all pofiible meanslto be

avoided,i and that by proving to the world our mod»
eration, our Jufcice, and our love of peace to other na-‘
trons, we will conciliate their friend1’hip, and difpofe

them to liften to reafonable and equitable terms for the
A fettlement of all matters in difpute, thereby manifi:fl:«i

inga fimilar difpolition in return. i It is readily grant-,~

*;ed;that»pcace,r upfonr equal lterims, is one of the greatefl: l

of earthly bleflings, and wlarla amen difirefling calame
ity, to be, by every confifienlt mean avoided. Bot fuck
a peace as is worth poffeliing, a peace confillcent with
public liberty, or withrnational honour and indepen--1
dance, cannot, Vina the prefent exllting {late of things,
be long maintained, or commerce either promoted or
proteéted, runlefs a nation is fuitably prepared to repel

‘injuryand infult. lWrhen in a fituation to vindicate

her injured “rights, and repel force by force, a nation is
then inlthe llbefl: capacity. to: rnegociaterwith fuccelé.
hepious believer of chriftianiatyr who hasyan uni-
Ihaken confidence in the accomplifhment of fcripture

prophecy, "will no doubt look forwardwith pleating \
anticipation to that happy period when‘ peace among

the feveral nations of the world {hall luniverfally prel-
rvail, when men {hall beat ltlieir {words intoiplough;
ihares, and their {pears into pruning hooks, when rna;
{ion fliall n.o more rife againflt nation, noralcingdoma-
gainft kingdom, neither Ihall they learn war any rnore;

tvhflenlcven the brute creation fllall be at peace, when

i it “P 3;

‘tine welflsa-ncl A the .1 lamb, i fiarget-ting we ranxipathy of

their rei"peé’cive_ naituiresi,.£halli°lie Ciewn together,landi=

the lion fliallfeal: ihawlas we ex, and they lhiall lneitlaer

l’lUrti11Qrlldel’c:*oi7}ree%i‘n God*a holy mountain. A Happy

tl1ey“who fhdlll li}v"ei in thatdayl V‘-’V_li_1enV::hat: timel-
Comes, as there will-bile A no %difpofition iiiaiagglreié, lfoa

zhlere wilylibe no need orany “pz'epas*ati0nl to :repiel..Buit,

in the prefenc exiliimg {late of thing”s,i theluirelizwiayii

for a nation to fecure and enjoy the blefiings of peace,
is to be In 21 fituatioxu to repel linfult, and avenge iD_}U-

ry. e This method was, Cimring the former aaiminifira--l

tion twice praéliced with fiiccelé. What will, in the:

prefentlinflanee, be the ilfize of negociation backed 

.with_ no fimilar p1'eparati0nS,iremainsyetlco be difcovg

fired. "God igraintiiit maylbel pl*ofperous.  A H

‘IT is true we haivellbeen lately informed that our
hegolciation is in the rric:ll’t profpe1‘ousl:rain,las our En-»
voy extraordinary has beenireceivled and treated with
the molt marked attention, and ti e m<;>{‘t flattering all
furances of a friendly difpofition on the part ofFrance,
have beengivenbythe Firfl Conful, ineanfwer E03
::omm‘unicacion from oxxx-lAmblalflEldor: I wirh, how...

‘ever, ithlat flaitteringi thin}? iniit,iit1l this inl’tiance,eprove to  

be only another iterxn for deceitful and A inlidicius, ins;
tending thereby to lull us inmlfecurx¢ty4_. till the critical‘
moment he pafi. The prefent hofiile attirudellof Great;

AB rirain], doubtlefs iflievvs this to be not the mall’: prop... i

‘gt "time cgpmlecutea ‘ifyftexh ” of encroachment upari
Aimeerilcalwith vigor, anal two millions of dclllarsl “foe

1Jecretliferviiceis, probably to be difpofed ofunder the die-3-. i ii
lteffcian of our Envby extrzamdinaryi, Muiizeae, and A

iwlaichi may ferve for a laahdlbme doceur tit) the :Fre1>1cll:

A .meinifl;rly,~ may "vvelli be fuppofed to purlcha{eilAae‘flQ-being"

~aci-viZz’z‘yf at leaift 5* f of which valuable mm lI‘1Od7iEy''it: ‘ 3;); A
pears lr1hal:" oiurl refident  an beaehdc.r lxas lI‘§.’Ct‘:‘llVCCl': but a
i:mOderatelfl1laf~€l.i1<:re,t0f0re;;, vi lAndi1; a<ppeAlal:s lth%air“ not-»
w itlifianding all" the iaflhralzacelsill trlfzxilfrilemilly   lcliilpaafitioin
on the part: of Frainceyalnd tl1epr?eteTn:lt;ddizfwewal of
thep1‘oiceedlings—0fithe iilnltendazzti mi l."ifew~Qrie;a.ns, on

‘ Y

E M ".‘l

iehe part of Spain, and notwithllanding the l'ooth'ing,
r oily, iand‘hand-ltifiing letter of the Spanifla Ambafi”a-

dot, and the affeétionate intereft taken in our afifaira

“ by the French Conful, citizen Pic/E2072, nothing more

than civility has, as yet been received. ,Ac’cortling to
the latell; accounts, the Intendant continues firm in his

purpofe, A the port of New-Orleans‘ continues flout, and t

the rit,htof depofit denied. l Itiirequiresa degree of

eredulity,bordering on abfolute lunacy, to believe a V

thing‘ fo i*n,credibjlie has,’ that the Spanilh llntendant
fhould, ‘not: onlywithouit any orderstfrom his court,

but contrary to orders, perfifi: in fuch an obnoxious i

meafure.'* t t
NOTHING can be more terrible to a free and in-
dependent nation than the arms of France, unlefs we
except her diplomatic fkill, her inifidious intrigues, car-
ried on under the fpecious appearance of friendlhip.
More nations, have been flzripped of their liberties, and
reduced to“aftate‘of vaflaliage ‘lb? thelaitter thari the for-

I met; preretnens of friendfhip have been the

tifoalqforeronners of conquefl: by the fword. We have
feen Holland, Switzerland, Sardinia, Belgium, and

Italy, fucceliively fizrippecl of every thing but nominal,  
fovereignty, c’rained of their wealth and refoorcles, and 

rrednced to the mot’: abjeél: vaffalage, by the fraternal

_ embraces of the a Great Nation, and Spain, once the
pr-oudefl Monarchy in Europe, fo effeétually paralized ,

9* At the time when this difcoutfe was compofed. no tidings of
the openingfliof the port of New~—Orleans had arrived. Ifthe intel»
ligt-“nee is authentic, I fincerely rejoice. Still it can hardly be
deemed fuficierztfatisfaftion for the wanton violation ofa lolernn
treaty, con'tinm:d Tor fix or {even months, that the injury ceafes at

the end ofthat period.‘ ' Should even part ofthe incoherent intel... l

ligenee about the ceilion of Looifiana prove to be fuhllantially cor-
reft, it will no doubt be an important acquilition to the U. States,
efpeeially flzould no attempt be made to encroach hercaliter. Still
four millions of'Wd‘ollars in part pay, does not found quite {'0 well as
if we were acqminted with the {iipnlated price. Qyerctwliad our

germ-mien: arfted with thatbecoming national fpirit breathed in ‘
Rol's’s Refolotions, is it not probable that it‘ might have come ‘

cheaper Em-Peace however is a great blefiing.

-and hum-bled, that thehaughty Cafiirliigaint ldaresfiiarce-v.i
I'y vvhifper in his clofet, any thing which may give pof-A
fible umbrage to the F irlizi Confnl. Even when the
principal towns» in Holland and Switzerland aregar-
rifonecieby French troops, to overawe the enilaved in-
habitants‘ into the moi’: implicit firbmiiiion, their ears
are filled, and their underftandings ini'u1ted,f with the

l warmeiitlprofetiions of fiiendfhip. Thefe things may

ferve‘ as a {ample of what America may, one day ex.-i

lpeét. W’ hen about to fleece or ftrip any nation, her

words have ever been frnoother than oil; _Should
France but once get a firm footing in Lotriliana, the
will then poflefs peculiar advantages to intriguewitlt
fuccefa, and willprohably fet up a claim which will
cover more than one half of the territory of the United
States, a claim of which {he has never loft light ‘fincc
the peace of 176 3 ;"nor has {he forgotten her difap-
pointment in not obtaining it at the clofe of our revo-.
Iutionary war. Shciiulcl the then be difpofed to im-
prove all the advantages derived from her fituation,
(and we have no reafon to tliinlt? that fuch adifpofition
will be wanting,) fhould our government continoeto
adopt fuch feeble unenergetic meafures as are caliculat—
ed to involve us in war by a mere dreadiofits ap-

proach, as well as to paralize all the advantages de-- a
rived from our driftance, and our extenfive internal re-

fources, itwill, mofl probably cherifh in her the ex--
petftation of making an eafy, bloocllefs conqneit, and
thereby adding the United States, at leaf’: our immenfe
wiefiern territory to the already overgrown empire of
the Gajuls, and of rendering the Atlantic States fob-.r

fervient only to her national aggrandizetrxent. A But I  
{hall,l on this fnbjcét, wander no farther into the re-A

gions of coniefituire. God grant that our fearamay,
in the end, prove to be without Foundation. A ' e ~ c

In noticingthe dangersto which our national

i independence is expofed,;wecannotg omit tomention * i

our divifions, andthe prevalence at a party iipiritia-4
mongius, as exhibiting a l:otwering afpeét. United yve

M

E fl

fiand, »ldivldt'cl we fall, is 21 good lmaxlm For Ameri'C:l,;
wlhether we apply it to a clmfion or f;-‘pamtion between

the fevcral States, A by a dliffolution of our national 1321"-A

tam, nrlto that fpirit of party virulence which f:3pa-

rates us as ‘individuals. A Tlaaz latter l3<:=.comcs, in a lfpc:-:....

cial mlannerfi ‘dangyer ms, wlwsnlparcies are pretty ciqual-—
Iy balanlcecl, and the mural’: 1S ptzrllwd with a great

clegree of azzrimonyand .rar;cm..1r. l In lhcfllu dillpmr-tes all”

regard for Irlw lpul.:~licxwlt:lfim’: is; many times, lMalbl7urb~

ed by party zeal. Freqmanv: inllzances miglut be lklleéhl 4

cd from hliflrory, in which (luring the paroxifins of
party rage, contending faflions have ‘mtlxer cldofen to

fi.2l;a_j«:-cit their umntrym a foreign ycrllqe, rlmn lbfar to

fubduc their party attachl1m’mtsl,' as to unitcwith; an (.‘>5p--
polite faéflon, in any meafure for ,.1;l°ze%gooddjof tlmciv
country. A A  A A A * A
 ll lemma? fully fubfcrizbelto falllawing maxim;

of lthatlgrearSltatlieliman and Pjatrio;,lMontefq man, tlmalt, a

 nationlllare lnevelrinl danger,” an all

are unitlecllf’ Thola certain degzlm df diH’c1'ence of 4

opinion rrzagz exifi vvirhout public harm ordanger, and

probably lallways will exifl  a free cm:mcry,whc:re ltliel

princzjaal afl‘hi?r*s Ollg"0VErn’mCt'It are laid open to public
ldilcuflion, yet rmion inllall important meafures, is um»-%

claubtedly tlxefirength and fuppert of al natiqn,, rsfpc--«v

lciallyof {min a nationas ours, where lb much depencls.
lulponl public Lzpinian. A

 EVER fince: me clrgalnization oF‘om* national gov...

:1‘.-mmeiir, umzier the federal c‘onf’citua:ion,l and probably’

forlaconlfiderlable time l:)<-“:f0:r€‘,l a great degree of party A l

fpirit has prevaillcd‘ in the United States. Since that.
time the breach llms bficwmfi more extenfivlc and alarm.-
mg, and party feelings have afihmed a greater degree

A M afperity _:, and frxrrm-3 pmmifirzg reafons For all-ayilng
the public heats, have %l3o;'~:e"nl loft by the alledgecl‘ imremm‘ ,
“errant: of ms: cl¢;m'*xir2ant party, whichll is faid to have

ehlerillfhed a. llpirit clf political‘ pcsrfcclultionl and intol%r-
lance, ‘as d’=t.-lf;:0tlC' as wicked.   feelincompetemzlto a .

full difcuflianol" clnelznfiritslof avcryl paint in dlfpurc

" betvveenthe‘ principal contending parties, noris the

prefeht atime when fueh difcufiion cantake place. I It
the conrfe of events, we have Teen thofe diftinguiflied
by the name of F ederalif’ts,_ oufied from the adminif...

tration of the oovernnient and their laces oeneralli'  
2:3 3 . D i

l l fupplied by their political opponents. I had attnoih

fetid, we have feen the natural friends of our national

itronflfitntion, thofe who afted the principal part in
H bringing it into exiftence, and who direéted its opera-
. tions for twelve years with fuccefs, under the aufpices

OFVVASHINGTON and ADAMS, give place to
thofe, many of whom had from its commencement

been among its lwarmeft oppofers. 2 Whetlhier this

change in the adminifiration will be aneaidvantagtel or

difadvantage to us as a nation, molt be determined by

time. The rapid advancement of the United States,
both in wealth and population, during the former ad-
miniftration has been already noticed. lWliether that
progreafs will beaecelerated or retarded by the change

which has taken place, mutt be finally clifcovered by r

theevent. We have alfo feen a great number of tlifl
mifl"als from bflice, nnerely for .the‘fal<e° of" political
opinions, l and many charges made againft the left ad»
miniftration both before and fince theirmfucceflbrs came
into «power. Thele charges have been retorted, and
mutual criminations. and recriminations have taken

a place, J and party feelings, doubtlefs in many infiances,

more embittered. I

Antone the nu‘mernus charges {'0 liberally be...
flowed upon thelafi adminiftratinn, thofe of an itnten-.
tion to deftroyithe liberties of the people, bytpintro-

-ducting Monarehieal government, and of a want of
ieconomyg or a wanton dilapidation of the publictreafu
urea, have flood in front. Perhaps none have been ~

either fa fieqoently repeated Tor. made liieh. deep im-e
preffions on thepubliemind. 7How often have the

l lMnnart'hical principles of JoHN.“*ApnAMls and his ad-»  
‘herentsfiind the peculatiions. of Piel"<ering,Won1cot “
    i i   Di . ‘ t

A I £26  1

mod 5C ‘Es wail? *a"5 the   ouobflic.‘de*Ta'uTi1orino' of others “bee7in:~
.  P :2: 9

ootmmip£:o.tiecio5from one end of the Co-nti‘nc:mt to the other?’
3Marry,p25‘1‘tE¢u1ar ocharges, rwedouciblio u~nde*r one or 0th--
o=o-«eroofitheiogeideroal hoeados, hzwe, “upon a othorough in-
“oévifzfiiosgia-rion,: been Ihfewn sotoobe oode'rnoo‘no{trab1y falf”c,: and
‘tobe‘uz=~g-ed merely to {me t‘I1e.defigns of a party.
5W."“.Fowith refp*eé’c ito ~otheL:general c‘bz;‘rge of ‘a defign in A ‘the.
o.:‘fed«z:m1i{?ts "to introduce a oMon:.n*coh‘oy, ‘it appearsto be
417%) T?'f"mugI"91to1“wii«th% abfurd'it:y, a5 wcomplemly to def“croy Nit»-

 «irxvai coumzryoofo owideleyr *’extBnd‘€d.aios*t:hc Unitfid ~

 St<aot€<s,o ix1;ol1»i2{1Joitcd by «people A from ood?i‘%;fi:Efent rmtions, and
rfwhofe €CTt.1<C‘a-tibns, habits, emoannorso andcufioms age: to
diverfifiod,o as to o“e‘:.*;hiobit%ooon-azxrly ai-I‘th?»at variety o{"*char--
«a<5’coer vvhicfh Aisoto be found "among ~civiloized nations,

‘?1o;tha~rr;- “no dooobt :e:;iAf’cs a greatidivcrfity of opinion, both
oauofihle’oth§*oorotioa1, and praéhcoal »par»tsof' Govern~m‘en7t.

‘«oo~:7AAn1ong.«thiso%‘variety o%no*dou?b»t Afeveiral indfividouals omaoy
 fmmci “who woould proforooa Monarchy, 1‘abf‘crJa&l:y

 g     who ion oLrt“1*xi:c.-: ooo.p»réifooot.%fituatiiin»

   ta;rtae‘s,o”k:2£n % ei7Vt1?1«i*r4r:vvi~f11o to; in trod woe,   or
-ch§eoi~i’aEh fa h?op"e of ooino?troduoci*ng a Monarchy, oomufi Abe:
.~jv?iovw:d mthcras merining“1a.f1tuation ifnoamaod houfe,
~«~«tho<at1 ‘ass v‘a»=dz%r:gcrous ~‘_fG'€ ~“too“repob1ioano A .liberty. ‘ :Ino=a
oojowsountroy5oo}il£eoo%th,'is»w*l1:ercVther‘c ioisfo’ great Ta degyee of
«~f:q¥uaIity, ‘oo»th?I*at~fino individual can beifound, To much

A V rdifivihgmfiicdr‘Ei‘th.oroby -boirth, :wea'h:h; «family ‘cooneoxu
~ aaiieoirrsg +*orlt~he:4pia;ce =hie¢ho‘}ds in apubhco‘oopinion, to give

him the remotcfi pretenfions, and” w‘%hierefprobab}y not

M~1:3'i7's"than~oii1et§—ni‘nB :ito:»ao fh«1Indr‘€I3 of tho inha.bita.nts V
~o~~oam-oosdeeiécd *Repoubiioans,o 7(*wohoatov,e:1* "variation otherc A

f-m1‘a‘y be in: thsi:-i1‘ 'ii;f1easo ofotht: 5bePc Ymanner in whichtho
.. repo~b=I=ica;vn fyfiena may be? organoiwzed and admiruifteored)

~oaodwihoérefa large proportion» of that peoph=:~dreadAa

,vl‘vfonarcho§,r*oa‘s ‘the ogz‘€aT'=€‘PE~o"0f ‘a'lI”earth1y evils, and,

or»owher‘oo ch:-rroare no pz*ivii€»ged ordrrrs, noman in his

-A4‘f€o?I11}3?S, wh»ar<:rw:r may be his private opinion of clue

Jco1'npa‘1'a:ivooxcellexzce of ‘this or that particula_r fyfl
 tom, '.—‘£vOL1Id“haV€ either the hardinpfs to =mmI<oco"‘?”otoheaz«

Lcmpc, or wifh that it fhoould be madoby, another. H A

I

t    3 

A All I AP*t>‘t§.EH§:N«o that our gzfeatt:-itdaogertolF;1ltAlcjihgth4

. -h€zC0mlng ah Monarchy, oven one of-the molt dol}potiotAtttl

:kiAItd; docsAAAnot arriicl from fatty fuppofisd gradual; on-
croachrnonts of our =COI-lfiiltlltfcl a‘uth'orttles,Awhich, ’tls

probable, will he gua,rdt:cl% agalnfi with tahe moi’: forum 1

polotus vigilance ; bntfrom fucl1 wpo‘pttlz=.tr tumolts as
flitall either wcaken. or dellroy them. This% rrnnjh GT1»?
time oranothert ofix Aa Monarchy upon ttsfiof the very
wort’: complexion. W hcnj :1 poople grow lmpaticznt of
1“ubje<5‘tion to Lllfilr limited -confiitluted authorities, wc3a-

Jfy of Athe 1'eflraAint of laws, the tnmofioneceflary and {ale
autary; andf0qflbf0lUC€Alyrt llice;1;tiAo~11sA t’las;:At0r grafpoafitm‘

o fuuchan ilntpracihicable clt:gre~e of-“liberty as focal allgoodfl 

order” land oregulalr ofuborclinl:atiorn at def-laAncAe, filmy lawn

in the high road to flavcry. No doubt ourlcourn.ttf‘y'r

contains many enemies "to all regrular fubordinatitm.
Befides‘ theft: of our own natural growth, the late tn,--A
multuous {cones in Europe have already adtled to out
flora, and will, probably, furnjlh us with an addition-V
:11 fupply in futurti‘, Shouldmen of this dcfcription.,AA
either nativfit or 2%tl;icosA, focczeocl in irnrflatt-hing tin: 1_)t’2fiJ:.~:=

rular pafllons, to Foch adegrec as totp1‘ofl.rate _lfl',lt{I.”l’r€31':l;IlrA-Ar.l

flitutcdl authoritles,, (an event which may tht:l~:lndAinA-»
terpofition of h.eavc*n prev::nt)t it might be \th<~:nA n:lAffr:
for fome popular demagogneg fome noify cA:lc:AclA;;r.lt"At'1r:?z:
in favour of liberty, equality, :A.~tndAAthe rights of man,
to takl: advantage of the Ptorm, fo as to lfcize the for
premle power, and pt-ofiyrato the ;lib:rtitsAof“At“m=ri£a

% under his feet ;, fhould the United Statcst ever Aexpem»
pence fnch an unhappy rcvcrfe, thetlme may, pcrhaps

M come, when the moi’: peaceable and heft difpoled L

part: of our citizens, tltoft: who tr-Allie no plealurc: inttlzlo
tempeflmousr {cones of revolu»tio.n, may, AhowoVcAr

ogwarmly attached to 0131‘ repubAlAican tcon£litotions,AAA_lh at A
fit of defpair, throw tAh;:r:'mfr3lvos into the arms of a clot;

pot,A preferringa Monarchy, orany A othor fht~hl<: fyf—~
.tennA‘which willpro;'z1Ai,fe them fecurity, to the l“t<.»:~t:r1~s
of rcvoluttion, the reign of anaArc:l3y,l or this p«t‘t1"{.}K.lrl'iIi.1..‘5

{of popular Arage, and dArernroc[raticf'ury.  " ‘  

l   93 l

NOTHING is more common than to rail’: a loud

‘cry in favor of liberty and the people, when no interefi:

is lefs at heart than theirs. Marat, [£0/ljpiarre, and
other infernal agents in the French revolution, were
inceflantiin their aeclamations of l ET/ae Peaple, ‘I79:
People ; whilethey were butcheringthis very people,

I by htindreds and thoufands under the guillotine. We

can‘ fearcely find a fimgle infizmee recorded in liiftory
or one fuccelsful ufurper, from Pericles at Athens, to

,Bt.>¢2a;>arre in France, but who on his firf’c fetting out, .

p*<;::t+xiitletl a more than ufual regard for they liberties of
tire people, hind obtained his elevtttion by courting
popular app’laufe.l ltl fee a man uncommonly eamefl:
it: his tleclatnaticms in favor of the people, land, on
all ticcafions, alllcluuuil by courting popular applaufe,
€li[;)e,Cially,‘ if he is ptfCUll‘cil'ly dtigmlatic in his afifertions,
rezrmttl<aoly impatient of contracli€tion, or fingularly
ovett'bearing in ; C0nV€l"lltEl(’3l*l,- cisle‘un11{lancesrl =hy”no

ymermsy urmotxm'1onl,:lil:l lcai,n'oot:7 help |,'l1ll”ll{l1‘lg of any .r2J’é/oz»

lamb faying, Olbat I were made Judge in the land,
and even whifpering to myfelf that ‘thlb man, thtylllgll
:1 fawningfycopliant in the ptirfuit of power, would
mofl probably prove :1 tyrant in the Aelxeyreife of it. I
alfofometimes indulge al.C0l‘:'.j€8£Ul‘€ that he may be

  A ltyrannicalin t:lomel’tieilife,a11d that if ever this loud
A declttimer in favtxr of liberty and the people, fhould

obtain itheelevation he leeks, he will, moi“: probably,
talceiicarelof himfelf, and the people will be forgotten.

  In lfueh conjeélures as thefe, 1 fhould gladly find‘my--

{elf to be more frequently miftaken. Une honeil p:a.t—-
riot, who has ftifficienttcourage and regard for the
people to tell them the truth, and tovinclicate public
liberty by fiipporting the lconflitutecl authorities, tho’
it fhould be at theexpenfe olihis own popularity‘, is at

tzharaélzer of more flterling value than an hundreclfuch“   '
ynoafy declaimers. If ever our free republican clonlli-

tutions are overthrown, and ti Monarchy or tyrarmy
elltabhflied, it is, I think, probable, ‘in the lprefent fitti-i

Emiion of the -United States, that it will be eff?-:Eled,r;tth~  * A

 tabby ilnflamingthepopulartpalliolris; and exilciiitinig to

the fputfuit of lfuch an impraflcicablo liberty as lists at
p_ dofiantzc’ all good porcletr and regular fuhordination, than

by any fuppofed gradual einctrolachrtiehts on the part of

tltetcoofiitutad authorities. ‘A t i “
A BUT as V
fcarcely. credible, that eitlier an inclividualor a number
. of individuals, fhoold be to far infatuated with the

it IS in the prefent exifiing {late of things,

A love of Monarchy as to {al<.€f any Peeps delignedly aim--t

ing at its-ll‘:-tI“O(.iU€iiilC:l'1, to, that fuch £1 tlefign lhould

originate, and be principallypatrcinviztid in New-Eng-»-i
land, is, if poflible,‘ a greater al:efui*dity..= The mhab-gt

itantsiiof: New-Englandi have .b.'f:c?n ntirfed Sup Win the
‘love ofl.iib"erty. ,Tlhey View it as tht:ir birtlnright, and
 are almoft toia man attached to republican principles,
and their manners are, in general, the mo1’crepubli-.
can of any people on time l globe. They are dilpolécl
to delegate power, as well as the emoluments of of»
fice with a {paring hanirl, and to watch over the ex4:1‘-
cile of authority with the mofi; fcrtipulous Vigilance.
T heysaaro 5 alfow rritote iiggnmliyt eoliglttchcidi than any
other ‘portion of thcUlnitecl Sitaitetéyl and itthieirtelcélitonsi
are the molt regular, free, and tan‘iti~fluenc.»;d.  From
the Congeniality which list obliérvablc between New-
England matmctsiand republican» principles, it is per-
haps fomething more than mieré: conjmilure, that if
ever republicanilin fhould give place to another form
of govcrnrntnt in the United Statts, it will draw its‘
lat“: brtrath in New-England. That Virginia and the
ifouthern States, whofé: manners, habits, and <:.o{'toms,
are, compareci with thoft: of l\lttw-England, fo many
degrees I“t"n'1C:Vt:d from rt-:publicanifm, ihould be adifl
I3(:)I.(flKj to prcrfisrve to the United States, aodl ettcntretu
tailors‘ to Now~Englantl, that1‘t‘publican govtirnimtent
~wh‘ich the latter, in her ztal for l\/.Ionart‘hy, it; in (;i::'m--
‘gar of throwingaway, is one of tht: moft t3atx*avagarit
whims that ever C‘l‘ltC'3i"(‘.‘Cl tht~: brain of a C..‘r:t'.Z'._‘,7 hezitltfd
politician. In every ‘S/l(°:W of this fuppolititm 1!;Cif.‘i‘fi1"(‘J%'_§-""3

.“ ,il.'fi'IMi5 t But tho’ it t1<+:vet~ can ht: fcriaofly htlicvetl by

[ 30   Ila   ’

men ofunderfianding, yet, to Far as it obtains credit.

A itis wellpcalculated for another purpofe; particularly

to give the State of Virginia that preponde-rating in-e
fluenjcc in the Union to which {he afpgires. J

WITH refpeft to the charge ofa want of economy
my, or a wanton dilapidation of the public treafures,
which has been alfo a mod: fruitful fource oflcriminfa-

tion, my knowledge of the various jufi. and necefliuy.

calls for national expenfe is neither fufiiciently e.xten~
five, nor have I adequate "vouchers for the feveral
items of actual e;a'pendit1.1re,y to warrant concluiions
either for or againft their being in every inflance,
firictly economical. Economy in expenditures, lb
far as his confiftent withthe public fervicc, is undoubt»
edly a virtue, particularly "in a Republic, and perhaps
there is fcarcely a topic which is calculated to malce a
more favorable irnpreflion upon the public mind, than
pretenfifons of that nature, whether well or ill foutnded.
This phase not “beenr neglerfted on in the prefentf occafione
Tabefuperior economy ufed by, and the great relief
from public burdens obtained under the prelent ad-
rniniftration, have been among thecommon topics of
the day. ‘But with refpect to any grievous opprefiion
under the lafi; adminiftration, as none fucrh exiftcd, no

great praife is, one vvould.thinl<:,y due for removing a

burthen which was only imaginary. A
‘Burr tho‘ economy in public expenditures is, in

  general, commendable, yet it may be fometimes car-~

tried to an extreme. Nations. as well as individuals,
may be what isiyulgarlly called, penny wife and pound
foolifh. A ‘Whenever an extreme parfirnony paralizes

tholi-: national energies which the circunnfiances of

our country requirie to becalled into ertercife, it is falfe
ccionomy. ‘Under the former adminiftration the calls
for expenfe were undoubtedly urgent. Two infi.irreC-

 tionsglwcre, fuccefiively to be fuppreiied, an catpcnfive A

5} ndianwar was to be rnaintained, andthe difputes oc»-i
~ca‘fioncd by the repeated aggreliions on our commerce,
both by Great Britain and France, l which were finally

A    A [A t  I  ..... *‘ 

order to their adjul"tment.i lPrevioulsl to thre*lrAtcomA“+-
,.meneeme‘nt of the Aprefentt aciminiftration, manyof

fa-ttled by" treaty,~reti}ui~red "expenlitre lp’revpalr:;;ition«s?l Jih 

the caufes of tltefe extraordinary expenfesrhadA ceafedi

to operate. » The lefife'ning of current texpenfes was

:therefore notowing to any change in they isadiminrittraw

tion, but to a variation OfCll"CUI'Ufl:3UC€S_-; and tfollowed

 tcottrihuit A The prefent adtminiitration has, it is true,

ztboliflted’ the fyflem of internal revenue,? and thereby

;fa.ved the expenfe of colleéting it. But as thisvwas al-
moftt wholly colletfted from articles of ltzxutry, and

paid by the aflfiutent, it can, withnotlegreeof propr~i--

rety, be faitd to relieve thepeople at large oflany»-«bur»

den. I 1‘ the body? of our citizens were pIAACVlOUf,ly_bU<l‘~-~

: themed, they are fo ftill. The emoluments of the lot...
»fi;t:ers of government were a fruitful fource of com-

plaint and crimination under the former adimtinil’cA~m-
tron, but I don’: find that thefe have been in any in-

tftance leifenecl, tho’ in feveral they havebeen enlarg-

~*ed.t With refpeft to fome other reclurftions votfexpetnfe,

lparticulttrly whatAArel.a;tes to «»tl’1Cypref€*n’t fituation of our

iihips ofiwar, time mull determtine w«hetherx»th“tey;‘are
' politic or other-wife. A A A A A A A A

BUT ttltho’ pretences to.economical Fajv~i&ngs,haye,

during the pref’-:r‘1t adminiftration, been cat'riedvery
‘hlgll, yet in form initanccs of expenditure, »theJuPtiee

ofthe claim is,~to fay the lealt, but very dubious.
Thirty»-two thoufand dollars tmnet:efi'arily lavifhed on
the repairs of the French 1(Flg£ltC=Bt'£‘I’CC*aU; twenty
thoufimd dollars, or nearly that form rexpehcled on

tbaw/an’: million to F'r:-mrse in a nettional fhip, merely

to carry a treaty which he was not to ptelent, and
which might havebeen, with equal facility, ttranfnn‘it-
ted to the 1”f3fit;llt)g Atnhttflador, by VVl‘l{ftm.~lt ywlas to
betprefented, in i:tmerch.:mt’s fl1lp"fl‘€6‘t'Oft€Xp€nf€l;
two milliorls of ciollars, placedtrmder the clireétiontof

the Prefident, for fhcrret fervice moncy,A and upwards V’
* tofeoneihundred and fourtyeen tltoufitnd dollarsAof the

~ftltT3«»9‘PPl‘OpI‘laE€d by law for the tdifehaige 0f“‘OUr‘"l3?a-

Mm ...«...-»...___,_

tlonal debt, wholly unaccounted for g l7E?.ll£l*3S an im.»
ntorxfe form if 1 rni'[tal~::e not, betvvt-3c'n two and three
millions ofclollars accounted for in the: gtofs, an lacing
in the hands of agents unapplied, agents none knows
who; and to be applitscl for no one ltnows what:
purpofe, are at leafl, vmy qunfiionable: traits in an
econor1*2icalA fylhstn. A A l

VVITI-I orcifpeft to tl"’lfi‘ two mllliolna of dolllars for

A a {octet fervice montry, to be: approprlateed nnd<:"r the (lie
lreétioan of the Prc2ficlent_, the alarm w'l1iChwaa circa»

lated frorn Maine: to Georgia, when, in a time: of
nblit: danger, twenty tltoufancl dollars,‘ jolt the lmnw
dredth part of the pr-nfextt llama, were placed under the
clirctftion ofthr: late Ptrsficlent in the fame way, is not;
yet forgotten. Ofthls film he expendcscl, if I miflalczcl
not, fiftydoltlars. VVel1<>petheprol'i¢ttt cltfpofit will

be found lodged in as fate hands.
A Duattno the laft ac:ln*1inilh‘atlon we were-, alfo,

frequently warnledl ol; the: danger; and ‘alarmed with

the progrefs of ti-‘xecntivlol patronage,l as tending to coneg
centrate the powers ofgovernmcnt too mnclu into a

fingle hand, and load to Mona.rcl"ly. VVC? have been

alfo frequently told that a :'epnl.>lican government Ollgllt

l to have no‘fecx-eta, but every tranfa€tion lhonlcl be laid

open to the Vlt':’:‘W of tl‘1E' public. Vl/‘lam, on particular

A occafionls, confidential comrntinlcaticmaa fi"(3l'1"l the Pref-
ltdent required fecrrscy, it was t'eprnl?:nted as Wearing an

alarming afperft, and as a certain index of approaching
Monat'chy.% . But I do not find that, ‘during the pref»

tent adtminifiration, executive patronage has becrn in

any inftance lcffnned,‘ tho’ in fortne ‘cafes it has been
enlarged, particularly by va~:f’ting the appoirxtment of
the Commiflioners of Bankruptcy in the Prefidcrnt.
And with refpeét to fecrecy, it is probable that during
the whole adminiftrations of lwasntwcrrom and AD-
AMS there was not more bufinefs done inC<:mgref'a
with Clofecl doors, than during the lllort f'<:>Hion oflafh
winter‘. Upon the whole, that the prcfcnt aclmlnifw
tration is, all things coxafidored, either more tepubli--

E 33]

been or more economical than the lnfi, is fiill probleimw
atical ,-, we mull wait for fitrther tproofi. “

& A Alt: gcnnrtteétion with feveral otbfertvations alteadyfl
tmatde in this .difcourfe_, I might eta:-i{C notice of dangers

~,ari.fing from the corr.upt;ion pfthc fources of informa-

tion, and the confequentmifleadingflmof public opinion. N

Even fame of our privileges “are fources of danger, not
the /privilege itfelf, but the abufe of it. A Whatever
,:m2iy be their particular political tenets, the great body
.of<>ur free independent citizens will ibealwtays difpofed

to tpmrnote the true interefl: of their country, ifo far as
tthei;r ¢inFormatin‘n  ,tcg:tntct§l;l . Tihteirtintcrefi, fafety,and A

A }h3.ppi»inefE‘. atcetconnetflzted twlth rlIil:CiI' eountry’s iwelfare,

what Areafon ';‘Cani be ilgivten why they” fllould not purfue
it A? Butdefigning indisvicluals, whofor felfilh purpofcs
trather chootfetto inflame the paflions than inform the
judgments of the public,“ frequently fucceed in mi1--
leading the ttnfufpicious multitude. No fo ready way
to do this as by corrupting the fources of public infor-
imation. By thefe ‘public opinion will be always, in.
gfonte meafure, %tregulated. A free prefs when ably
and virtuoufly conduélzed, is a great bulwarlt ofiliberm

Mty, an excellent mean of conveying cnrterft informa...

tion to the public mind. But when conducted by
men l‘1L1I‘l‘)OI“lng fume (;lMl<. cilefign, men of talents but
withnut integrity,e it is a. privilege whicrh is liable to be
great—ly abufed. We glory in this liberty as our birth»-
right, but ofits abule we may jufily complain. When
the prefs ft» far tiegenerzttes tltat, inflead of conveying
tcurret’5‘t iimfurtnatiniu, its pages can anfwer no Othtil.‘
tt>i1rpn1etthan to miflead and corrupt, when it becomes
the commn-n velticie bf {lender and abufe, and the
;gI‘Om;fll3fi1lii:‘l1()<)£lb, even fuch as ihave been frequently
and i‘ll)lJl'l€.lt1I'llIly ct:»nfi.ztc,-tt:‘l, are A b‘...)l(..lly and xmptitlently
,,€IC‘})t?iiEl3‘(.l, tillthe very efftontery with jvvhich theiyfare
‘patlmecl upcm the public, nimn{‘t forties belief 2 Then;

A  free prele becntnestlxttle better than in public curfe.

It is 11119015036 fin‘ a people A either conform cuttéflc
i J53.

\

A iltofey” efpecially 

prevails in the United States.
yconfined to one political party. Its confequences have

it“, fhall he ina breath.

[343 ll

opinions, or acft right, while fubjefted to litch an un-at ~~
6l‘U‘€ influence. ,   They may, by fuch means, be, either
involved in anarchy, or ftript of their liberties before

they are aware. Confidence may be placed where it

this nnmerited, and men of the mofl: tried firclelityy may y A

e negletiled or difcardedt. A great degreeyof this evil
Probably it is not

been already alartning, and where they (will flop, l ’tis

tdillicult to ‘f0l'€lE‘C; Unlefs the evil is checked it may

prove fatal.r But iwithout a more general return to
the paths gofvirtue, how {hall the remedy be applied E’
A MANY other things of lefs moment might have

been noticed, but the patience of the audience mull: r

be by this time ezsthaullsed. The means of prelerving

l goiurtindependence nnuflt form a counter part to the dam-
ygers With which it is aifailed. T he anfwerr to this

partof the enquiry, to Far as I am capable of giving

_tLE*r us lcuiltivarrtet the public: and private (virtues,
'whi3che haverelilgionfor their bafis.
Let us venerate religious infltitutions, but in a fpecial
manner, let uspraétice the duties which ehriltianity
enjoins, and cultivate the temper it is calculated to in--.
fpire,  e. piety towards ~Gon‘,_land benevolence to
men, We. are called at chrifltilan nation, let us‘be~
.C'hrilliyans.il ytWe cannot be too much upon our guard

algainfi: the influ'ence of irreligious and demoralizing

principles. WThey will defiroy our focifial and political

happmefs in this world, and call an awful gloom over

the profpeét of anihereafter. They will lap the fouynu
'dations of mutual confidence, loofen the bonds of To»-
rciety, and fit people “ to be ruled only with a rodof
iron. In vain {hall we look for either political integ;
rity in rulers, or a due fenle of the importance ofgood
order and regular fubordination among a people witl -
put religion and morals.
ylentlal to liberty, fo to prez”elrvevit_, let us duly apprea
fcliate our conitituted authorirties, and ref: fatisfied in

And as government is ell“

V

  E 35 i] all 

that temperate rational freedom which is feeured by“
our laws, and isagreeable to our civil rconftitutionse

and the genius of ourgovetrnment, avoiding the put...
fuitil of fuch unbounded irnpraéticable liberty, or
rather licentioufnefs, as is attainable only by the do-‘
fixuétion ofgoocl order and regular fuborclination. By

grafping at a fhadow a people may lofe the fobflanee. A

Wltenever a principle of infuborclination becon1esgen~

era], ’tis an almoft infallible inlet to tyranny and op-»
‘ preflion. 4 r l f ‘V
l WHILE we rnanifefl. our attachment to good or-- i

der and to the principles of government in genetral,
’tis of equal importance to cleave to our national eon-p
Ptitution in particular. This is the great bulwark of

our political fecurity. Its operation has, under the r

fmiles of Providence, been the canfe of our Ul‘t€)~’_'-
ampled profperity. This pillar may probably be all
failed. ’Tis likely the attack will be commenced by
the infidious propofal of popular amendments. Tlteli:
may be multiplied without end. ‘ While a mtiltitntie

of pmjeétors propofe to amend, each a,ecortling to

their refpeétive humor, the energyof the fyftem away
be deltrnyed. (‘if the beneficent eflieéts of this confili-~

tution in its prefent form, we have had furiicient eaéi

perience, let us bewalre of dangerous experiments.
Great defefts in the aclminiflrration may be remedied
b time, and reeourfe to the returnincrr riwht of elec-
. pp ‘ u o a ta. ta . o i '
trons, ft) long as the conftttotton rtfelf IS Ul“11mp:«1l1'(:‘Cl.’
But let that illar be once utiderminecl, and robalrsl 1’
P

the entirefabric of our intlepentience will be fhal»:.en, if

not deftroyecl. i

IN our prefent fituation we will alfo evervfirrtl it
to be of importance to our peace and inclepeneem:e to
be Americans-, i. he. to attend to our own national ail-
fairs, uninltluenced either by alprerlileétion For, or a

dillilte to any other nation. Whenever our public ha» i
p tional councils are intloer1'1c:etl by foeh partirrlittrzs, we

may expeét to be eitlwr <:ontr'oleLl or tiupecl by tl'rel'a-

voted nation; Shouitl either a Britifh or iF”rent:l~ titt;~‘-

E 36 l l

tion obtain a preponderatingfinlloence in the meafuresy
oFo*ur giovefnment, we are no longer irtdepenclentg
only in name. A A

Asa free and independent government cannot be
long Fupported without the general dsliifufion of lmowl-;-it
edge, let it be our ftudy to be well informed, both by

cultivating the means of education in general, it and by

attending to correét political inforrnatiion in particular.
Tho’ it cannot be expcélzed that the great body of our
citizens can, individually, be thoroughly verfed in naw
tional policy, they may neverthelefs underflancl its
general principles. Tho’ in the exifling Ptate of things,

they may be fometimes unable, immediately, to dif-l

tinguifh correft information from that which is Caleb»

lated to miflead, yet if a loud cry ofoppreflion is raif-at

ed and often repeated, while no oppreflion is felt, it
will aflbrd to the people, efpecially the. more dilticern-

ing, a groyundytto fufpeét that an, inter-edit djffehrent from

theirsis flought. o By repeatedly weighing information,
and candidly comparing profeflions with faéts, we

may obtain the truth.

LET us place confidence where confidence is due“,

and withhold it from theundeferving. And while we

aim at the good of our country as the ultimate tabjeélfl
let usldifmtls, as much as poflible, all party feelings
and .pre_1udices, aiming at union 5 and where a real

V differeynce in political opinion exifts, let us not cenfure

with toogreat afperity, at leafi let us abfiain from per»
fonal refieétions. If our party attachments could but
univetfally give place to attlfincere undillfeimbled regard
for the good of our country, much political heat and
Intolerance might be avoided, and fo much union as
is necefiary to the common gciod be obtained. As

freemen we ought allb to be efpecially attentive to that  A A

branch of government in a due attendance upon which,
every man 18 m a meafure independent of everyman;

I mean the right iofeleé‘ti«;ins.y In the exercifeiof thisl‘
privilege, every man ought to fupport his indepenw

. dence. Let it be our Ptudy to felerft for places of pub»

virtual,andlrerigion.l                
  1”€ClU‘?i“'8  *l‘én‘la“llfimrIar i5lia7ril‘i maxims 
praéticei our ilixber:1esAanid .03.; :1 We %re1_uub}icg;n l¢’gmfii:u..

t’lCi’I:Ii§ii mid? hie; fuilli’2”d'ér‘ fhé A ;f:11?iles% i of iniifliiléiéhtii héaven,

V‘ tran“t1ni*t;ed” unl‘i‘imp‘aireid iitl:3i“‘1:3o{‘ce rity; " V But;  chic bih; W i

“ ‘ilcfri“l1ain<;l, ifvlibeand irréligicin, witlxitheircc»“ncomitants,i
V %liUXUlY, Cixtmvagance, and diffipation, llncmlld continue

to gain ground’, fo as Vatilaffto become general, and

‘  “lira C'()h{1€f5lZlOn“ with our vices, we are either led afiray

by dcfignling demag0g?ues,i? or fwayedl by fmeign influ-
elnlce at1dintt'igue,l or ifi1il‘l’ci‘ iaiifaftilalus ldiifpofition or

party lfpiritto abfofb all remaining regardiforithc pub»

l*i"cg*oocl,1 of if weinegle<S’€0u1'iiltrléftionis, or in any
other way becomie ripe for an event ro diiFai’t:~cus, the
cloud which lias, forfome time; been gatluering and
hovering over our heads, may hui1'Pt with fuch an elec»
tric fhock, as {hall fi;xlfaieél: us either rolhrne foreign in»
Vader, or domci’tic ufiuper, wlm will dr:m<:>li{l1 the fair
fabric: of Amexfigan inclepeinidence, procured attic)
greate3cpenfe'0fbl0od'i zin”diitrieafi.1r<'3i, and fi:>rg6 chazngg
for ovuriicountry frqm Wl"llCl1 gbneraticmsl yea: unborn
{hall not be able to obtain emancipation. To hfilp
on finch an event when we fhall become ripe for it, *1
Ceyar, a Cromwell, or a Biazzapzmr, will not be wanting.
Nay it isinot impoffible but the mafler of the filturc

“C t“*-*f’f»i~ WHO‘ talmitsai inttgritvs‘iipublicasndprhwh  

dcflinies ofAmerica, may at this mcnment be lurking
zundilcolvercd in fome corner of the United States, ex-~
i% citing no more fufpicion of any defign againfi the lib»-
“erties of his cduntry, than iwcrc at the beginning of
Vtheiri revolucioniencerrained by the French nation that

ja‘ym3ngl coramr. adventurer, la gfoldiier of fortune, A  

A ifhouldliniiithe cauifsofa fi=“:wyears,lhave fizfificiént aid-i
idx*c’fs“t'o efl%ablAi1’lf1'hiand A place himfcslf at the head ofa A
fyifleznl af iCl€:1'pol.tifm,las’inimicalto perfonal lilberty and A 

Yfipiublicanifin as %.tl1Cj vahéiczitiil‘/Ionarchy which   haldh

W coft ithem lb mahiyifcergmsi iof hoirré:>r,VandfL1cl1 an oCfi‘anil W

 pf blood to aboliiiflh ii and Jthatithe natiionilfhould have
Wreezgmrfii‘ to this as the fmmizagly only relfuige frmlmiltlw

E 38 l

efi"eé’cs of that popular phrenzy, which, under the name
of liberty and equality, had brought it to the verge of
deitruétion. V l

T Houortit be fomewhat remote from my ufual
occupation in life, yet, as the prefent occafion leemed
to call for it, I have ufed my feeble endeavors to aél;

the part of a political watchman.   I have fpokeni my
fentiments with plainnefs, and linearity. The piéture

I have drawn is, it istrue, not in every feature flatten» it

ing, but fuehl as it appeared to me I haveendeavored
to reprefent it. Tho’ our fituation be, in ieveral re-
fpeéts, critical and dangerous, we have as yet no area-
fun to defpair. Only let us aéi: the parts which are in
our refpeétive fituations, incumbent on us as men and
free citizens, and any clouds which at this time darken
the political horizon may be difpelled. Our nation-
al independence has been eminently the work of Goo,

letus not forget our dependence upon himi; he has

firequently lbeenourjifalvation heretofore, and, if we
truftin him, we will yet‘ find that the will not defett
the work. of his hands.