Essays on the Constitution of the United States: Published during its Discussion by the People, 1787-1788 — John Shaqi
Essays on the Constitution of the United States: Published during its Discussion by the People, 1787-1788
History
Essays on the Constitution of the United States: Published during its Discussion by the People, 1787-1788
Constitutional history -- United States -- Sources; United States. Constitution
The real well-wisher to peace and good government cannot but execrate many
of the ideas which that would be disturber of tranquillity has lately
proclaimed to the publick, through the channels of the Hampshire Gazette,
and Independent Chronicle.(3) The man of sense, the true lover of his
country, would, if a change of officers was to take place in the
government to which he was subject, and men be placed in power, whom he
thought not so capable of the task as those who preceded them, endeavour,
all in his power, to extenuate the evil, and none but the ruthless
incendiary, or the disappointed tool, would, at such a period, conduct in
a manner the reverse.
It is well known, that there is a party in this state whose sentiments are
in favour of aristocracy; who wish to see the constitution dissolved, and
another, which shall be more arbitrary and tyrannical, established on its
ruins. Perhaps a few of this description were members of the last
administration.(4) If so, most happy for the commonwealth, they are now
hurled from seats of power, and unable to carry into effect plans laid for
subverting the liberties of the people.—Checked at once in their horrid
career—all those hopes blasted which they entertained of concerting
measures which would “afford them matter for derision at a future
day,”—they now put on the garb of hypocrisy, and seem to weep for the
terrible misfortunes which they pretend are hovering around us. Such
characters are, it is hoped, forever banished from places of trust. Some
of them pretend to be mighty politicians,—they display a vast knowledge of
ancient times—and by their harangues about the conduct of Greece, Rome and
Athens, show their acquaintance with the pages of antiquity. In some few
instances, however, perhaps they are a little mistaken. The learned Numa
says, “the degenerate Romans banished Cicero for saving the commonwealth.”
Rome did not banish Cicero—a faction, who wished to triumph over the
liberties of Rome, exiled that immortal orator; and to that, or a similar
one, he at last fell a sacrifice. If a faction can be styled the people,
with great propriety do the disappointed aristocraticks, and their tools,
in our day, style themselves, the great majority of the people.
If Numa, and others of the like stamp, are politicians, they are very
short-sighted ones. If our government is weak, is it policy to weaken it
still more by false suggestions, and by a scandalous abuse of our rulers?
by endeavouring to spread a spirit of discontent among the people, and
prejudicing their minds against those whom, by their suffrages, they have
chosen to take the helm of affairs? If this is policy, Numa is, indeed, an
accomplished politician.
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