The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

It is a curious kind of reasoning that we are to profit by experience, and not improve by it. According to the doctrine of the present day, mankind have advanced as far as is possible. They cannot hope to form new theories, or to employ new maxims of government. No new associations are to exist, and no new combinations, or institutions, are to be contemplated. The worst state of human nature and of government, is to be considered as the most natural, & as imposed by necessity. The work of reformation is no longer to be considered but as a project of ambition ending in misery. But they who publish the depavity of mankind as the worst, are not without some hopes, and they who know the worst part of human nature are not the less diligent in educating the world for their purposes. Societies have all the changes of the human constitution. Something may be allowed to youth which is not to be found in old age. Let then the world be encouraged at least to enjoy this difference. Let us not grow old at once. If we must become old, let us check the debility by the best use of our powers. Experience has promised much to youth and vigor. Republics have been in the world, and they have been the nurse of origins and of the arts, and of every thing great. The Athenians did not envy against their own institutions because Priam had a king--Nor did Sam'l abandon the institutions of his country, because the nation had had bad counsellors.

Salem Reg.