The Kentucky Gazette

Fellow Citizens.

The Constitution of Kentucky is perhaps the best calculated to deceive of any writing of the same size now extant—it appears by the great care and utter regulations of annual elections, that the free suffrage of the people was the principal object that the Convention had in view; and through the whole of the Constitution (a few particulars excepted) I think it really is the best Constitution on the continent: and tho' those particulars strike at the very root or foundation of liberty; yet they come in so very easy and fine whole of it reads exceeding smooth So that a critical reader would scarcely discern errors in the constitution,—But as a tree is best known by its fruit, so one years experience plainly discovers the fundamental errors of the constitution.

Wherefore did we ever contend with England, was it not on the account of their imposing laws on us without the free suffrage of the citizens? and is not this the very case with us now in Kentucky? with horror and amazement may we behold four Senators vested with fourfold legislative power, who were never elected mediately or immediately by the people.

O Kentucky, whither art thou fallen? tell us not in Calah, publish it not in Ashkelon, is this the way we are preserving our dear bought liberty, and conveying our natural rights inviolate to posterity.

Great Britain could not deprive us of our liberty by force of arms, but while we were asleep it has been artfully stolen from us, tho' it dearly cost us much blood and treasure, and shall we continue in this lethargic frame while here is a fatal growing disorder in the body politic?—no—if a deadly disease should seize any of our natural bodies, would it be good policy deliberately to let it increase for some time and then endeavor to have it removed? no.—fellow citizens this is a parallel case. If this political disorder is neglected it will be still the harder to cure, because power begets power, or in other words, even unjust power gaineth influence, and generally those vested with unjust authority will endeavor to retain it.

America struck the spark of liberty which kindled through the continent and has inflamed all Europe.

And shall we in this western part of America basely degenerate and give way to sordid slavery; God forbid, how shall we answer to posterity for what we have already done, or for this odious blot that must forever remain on our escutcheons; if this is passed with impunity other usurpers in future day may steal this as a precedent—

Let us at least endeavor to mitigate this egregious thing, by an unanimous and speedy reformation.
A plain Republican.