Gazette Of The United States

Shall we say that public spirit has no existence but in the imaginations of moralists and philosophers? far be it—public spirit is VIRTUE in politics, which, tho it may be counterfeited, and pretensions may be made to it by those who are really destitute of it, is yet an active, living principle, bringing forth the most noble fruits. It is undoubtedly a fact that those who are destitute of PRINCIPLE in politics, are devoid of every moral sentiment.—Hence a MERE politician, who shapes his conduct according to his prospects, and shifts with every wind that blows—who squares his pursuits with those circumstances that may best promote his ambition or avarice, without a supreme regard to the public good, is one of the most detestable animals that prey upon society.

To encourage our dependence on Divine Providence, we are assured by the pen of inspiration, that "while the earth remains, seed-time and harvest, day and night, winter and summer shall not cease," and to animate our hopes that the blessings of freedom shall be ours, and descend to our posterity, let us reflect on the present spirit of enlightened patriotism that animates the citizens of these States. Behold them coalescing under a wise, a just, and liberal form of Government—A system, which while they contemplate its perfections (as a skilful artist does the happy result of his labors) gratitude expands their bosom to the fountain of all wisdom, who hath inspired them to shelter the ark of their liberties beneath its protecting wings.

Behold their demonstrations of attachment and veneration to the illustrious personages whom their free suffrages have placed at the head of the confederated republic—a circumstance highly evincive of their affection to their public, and personal characters and of those principles on which the union of the States, and the prosperity of the government are suspended.

Behold the harmony, peace and plenty, with which heaven has blessed our country—the extension of our agriculture, arts, and commerce—the increase of our schools, and seminaries of learning—diffusing the beams of knowledge far and wide—cementing and brightening our union and prospects, and raising the human mind to degrees of improvement and refinement hitherto unknown.

Behold, under the auspices of good government, extensive plans of Manufactures are formed, and the American genius, in discoveries and inventions bursting upon the world with a lustre that astonishes mankind—while our men of wealth, relieved by the Constitution, from the dread of paper-money, and tender-laws, are dilating their purse strings, throwing their long dormant specie into circulation extending their commercial enterprises to every clime, where men are found, or where ships can sail.—Thus, while commerce enlarges the demand for exports, our resources are brought forward the arm of industry is nerved the hopes of the farmer and the artisan are animated—and our capacity to annihilate our public debts, is made abundantly apparent—Thee, among a thousand other ideas, rush upon the mind in contemplating our situation—and so long as "our eyes are upon the faithful of the land," in electing our civil rulers—so long as we are just to ourselves, and suitably prize the Constitution which is the pledge of every blessing—while the earth remains—"PEACE, LIBERTY and SAFETY" shall be our rich inheritance.