The Daily Advertiser

For the DAILY ADVERTISER.

An Address to the FREEMEN of UNITED AMERICA.

The Constitution agreed upon in Philadelphia, having received the approbation of a sufficient number of states to give it efficacy, and Congress having determined that the legislature shall meet in the city of New-York, in March next.--The time cannot be far distant when you, my fellow-citizens, will be called upon to exercise a right which hitherto has laid dormant--a right the most dear to freemen--upon the just use of which, your present happiness and future welfare depends.--I mean, the right of delegating your powers to representatives, for the administering of the federal government, so far as it depends upon legislation.--Much good is expected to result from this new organization of the powers of government.--It depends upon you, whether the good shall be realized. I hope therefore, that I shall not be deemed presumptuous, in endeavoring to direct your views to that class of mankind, who alone are able to make you a prosperous and a happy people. To every man of observation, it must clearly appear, that the author of nature has thought proper to mingle with the rest of mankind a few, on whom he has been graciously pleased to bestow a larger portion of the divine gift of knowledge, than is given in the ordinary course of his providence to the sons of men. These are they, whose wisdom so far transcends the common run of mankind, that they appear to be born to instruct, to guide, to preserve human kind; they are limited to no class or order of men, but pervade the whole system. Happy would it be for mankind, that their hearts partook of the divine spirit in an equal degree with their heads; then would there be no occasion for my troubling you with this address, but alas! men of talents are not always men of virtue. Men of talents divide themselves into three classes. The first of which, are those who make a proper use of their talents, when they do so, they exhibit to us examples of the highest virtue and truest piety. The second class, are those who misapply their talents; instead of being the protectors of mankind, they are their worst enemies: then, they commit a most sacrilegious breach of trust, and, as far as in them lies, defeat the designs of providence. This is the greatest of all crimes, and is attended with the worst consequences. The third class, are those who make no use of their talents; these are not so highly culpable as those who misapply their talents:--but, as talents are the gift of the Almighty, for the benefit of mankind, he who makes no use of them is guilty of a crime. It would be an invidious task to sketch the outlines of the two latter characters. Suffice it, that I throw together a few of the most striking traits in the character of a good man of talents, from which class I presume to hope your choice will be made.--General consent points out men of talents in every community; the good man may be known by his modesty. He courts not praise nor a great name--his desire is to be useful to mankind--he exerts himself for their benefit--his acts are dictated by virtue--they are steady and uniform--the applause of his own conscience, is his best reward--he believes the first duty of men, next to that of worshipping the deity, is ministering to the wants of his fellow-creatures.--Disinterestedness, benevolence, probity, charity, fortitude, and perseverance, are exhibited on all proper occasions--industry and application, carries him to the summit of attainable knowledge--bringing him forward in public life his good qualities do not forsake him--he becomes the guardian angel of his country.--Watchful to avert the most distant evil, and to maintain, or procure good order--due obedience to the laws--peace, plenty--he believes that the true end of government is not to deprive mankind of their natural liberty, but to regulate their conduct, so as to attain the supreme good of the whole--for which purpose, he is ever anxious to balance the government, that neither tyranny nor licentiousness shall prevail.--Such are the men, on whom your choice should fall.--As I have said, men of talents pervade the whole system of nature; and good men, I believe, are to be found among the landed, the commercial, the monied, the manufacturing part of the community, nor do I presume to affirm that the learned professions have not their full proportion; but there is one branch of the latter class, who, altho' they do not presume to think they have all the virtue of the community centered in them--too generally think that the abilities necessary for conducting public business, as their exclusive birth-right;--the habit of public speaking, so necessary in legislative business, places them in a more conspicuous point of view than others. But experience has taught me to believe, that abilities equal to the management of your business, is to be found in other classes--not that I wish by any means to see this class of men excluded, provided they have the necessary qualities, which I have already pointed out.--But always remember, that landed men are the true owners of the political vessel, they cannot quit you in a storm, therefore are more materially interested to keep you at peace, and promote your welfare, than any other class in the community. Remember, that on the proper use of this power of delegating your authority, which returns to you every two years, depends the prosperity of your country and your posterity--be not deceived--it is a business that cannot be indifferent to your welfare--perhaps to your peace--select out then, men of the greatest talents, which have been improved by education, study, and reflection--let the good qualities of their hearts equal those of their head--let them possess a proper knowledge of the principles of agriculture, commerce, politics, finance--let them be able to disclose their knowledge in a manly, nervous, accurate style--do this and you will act wisely, and becoming the dignity of Freemen and Americans.--Reverence yourselves and act honestly, and your new form of government cannot fail to benefit you.--That it may long continue to do so is the most ardent prayer of a

NATIVE AMERICAN.

New-York, October 4, 1788.