Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PENNSYLVANIA.

Philadelphia, October 14. The pens of the first rate geniuses of Europe have been emulously engaged in writing eulogiums on the British constitution: yet what is that boasted constitution when compared with ours? There, any profligate abandoned fellow may for a few thousand pounds purchase the privilege of being a legislator—and retain that privilege for seven years in despite of the people, whom as he has bought, he will assuredly sell, to reimburse himself. Even in those places where there is the appearance of an election, the shameful exercise of bribery, corruption, and undue influence, not only deprives the liberty of the people, but even subverts and destroys the most sacred principles of morality and virtue. By a gradual invasion of the dearest rights of their constituents—by the qualifications required in their members—and by the duration of their power,—the British house of commons, formed as the guardians of the people's liberties, have become a separate body from them, with interests not only different, but opposite and clashing—they are, in fact, a confirmed aristocracy, who would swallow up even the power and rights of the crown, as they have those of the people, did not their detested venality render them slaves of their monarch. How must the heart of every Pennsylvanian expand with joy at a comparison of the situation of this state with that we have just glanced at! What a glorious contrast! How ungrateful to the almighty disposer of events, are those persons who are eternally murmuring at the situation of America, the most highly favoured country under heaven, did she but know, and steadily pursue her true interest! Here every man may give his vote free and unbiased. The legislator, in receiving a salary for his attendance and labour, is reminded that he is but a servant of the people—and every year lays down the bewitching and intoxicating trappings of power, to take his station once more in private life, from which he need not hope to be called again, unless his past good conduct has acquired the confidence of his constituents. And though there are many electors incapable of developing the artifices and misrepresentations employed to delude and deceive, and who may consequently be imposed upon so far as to give their votes contrary to their true interest, yet none of them are led to the place of election like slaves, to vote with a slugelman, as is the case in Great-Britain and Ireland. Happy! thrice happy Pennylvanians! had you but sense enough to scorn to be the dupes of artful and designing men!